Darkness swallowed the room as the only light came from the streets below. The cool breeze from the cracked window was felt as the body that once laid restless settled into the slumber that quietly invited her. She to her side allowing the warmth from her pillow to sooth her when the sound of light but audible tapping was heard on her window. She was facing that direction so it was easy to peek open her eye and see the youthful face that waited restlessly. It wasn’t the same face she saw every now and there. Although lately his presence seemed almost rare.

She sat up as he pointed his long nimble finger towards her room. Nodding lazily understanding what he wanted she watched him push up the window ceil his long legs stretching into the room. Having her room by the emergency exit was booth a curse and a glory, ironically his presence wasn’t hated just his timing was off.

She laid back down her head turning to watch his body move towards the other side of the room. He stripped himself of his Nike slippers as his tall stature moved to the right side of her queen-sized bed. He sat down tossing back the covers before shifting his body so he was laying in the bed. The moon revealed his eyes moving upon her as he spotted the older girl in front of him trying to read his quiet and still expression. “Dad came home late again” he breathed shifting his back toward her.

Her lips stayed in a thin line all she could do was pat his arm before shifting so her back was toward him. Silence fell over the room once more as the sound of restless vehicles trying to get home buzzed through the city. All she could do was close her eyes wishing for the boy she saw as a brother to find peace in this life not the next.

Sleep washed over the girl in a few minutes and time passed before it was disturbed once more. The heat from a heavy breeze was felt as she squeezed her eyes the puff of air coming from above her face was felt. Opening her eyes that moved in a lazy fashion she got a flicker of a big black hair form. This forced her eyes open once more but she didn’t dart up as they focused on the beast in front of her side of the bed. Her hand reached back in a slow steady pace. Taking in how calm it was, centering its attention on her. Reaching back, she touched the boy behind her as she felt his hand take her wrist. This allowed her to know he was wake and from the position of his grip she knew he was facing her way.

Her breath grew erect as the things breath did the same. She felt her eyes water as her lip quivered. The low growl coming from it’s lips shook her being as her grip on his shirt tightened. Her eyes closed as she watched it get ready to pounce. A pray flashing through her brain as she drew in a breath. The feeling of being yanked backwards was felt as the force from the thing dropping it’s head down to tear her apart blew a gush of wind at her. The thump from her body landing on top of his was felt as he winced in pain.

Her eyes opened as she sat up due to him forcing them both up. She watched as the thing tried tearing it’s face from the wires in her bed. The feeling of him pushing her up and taking her wrist was like a mere graze, the only thing claiming her focus was the beast ripping apart her mattress as it tried to get free. Pulling the dazed girl out of the room he rushed for the door to her apartment the only thing running through his mind was getting her out of here.

Her head snapped back as he fiddled with the door the sound of thrashing coming from her room. Her stomached ached with worry as he threw back her door yanking her out of the apartment and slamming the door close. Eyes never leaving the door she pondered on what was happening while all he could do was look for a place for them to hide. He knew that what came in was out of this building. Dragging her away from the door as the sound of it stumbling about was heard.

“Kookie” she whimpered her eyes never leaving her door as the sight of it thumping and the sound of pounding was heard. Moving toward a janitor closet he prayed that the big washing machine Ms. Witman was complaining about was in there. His hands touched the knob and felt it was locked. Cursing under his breath he fiddled in his pocket getting out a hair pin. Cowering at her door practically coming out of the wall she backed away her eyes watering as she finalized that prayer she was working on. “Kook” she mumbled as he hissed getting it open.

Looking back to the scared woman behind him he took her by the wrist and pulled her into the closet. Slamming the door closed he locked it before spotting their barricade. Moving toward it he began pushing it the sounds of the bangs on the door down the hall now sounding like wood being torn off a wall. “Wynter” he growled working hard on moving the copy machine that was in her. Wynter knew it was Mr. Johnson the writing in the building. It was huge and heavy looking and enough to keep that out.

Shuffling she managed to move her feet to help him push the machine in front of the door. Looking to Kook she noticed him moving the washer next. He did it on his own before pushed over two cabinets making sure there was no way it could get in. The sound of a wall falling made her jump as she moved back from the door.

Kook reached out taking the girl by her wrist as he pulled her towards him. His back hit the wall as he wrapped his arms around her the first sound of the thing thrashing into the wall heard. Her body jumped moving closer to him as she tightened her grip on his shirt. Kook bit his lip as he narrowed his eyes at the door. He didn’t want to but if it came down to him fighting that thing he was prepared for it.

Wynter on the other hand just wanted it to go away. She didn’t how or why but she wanted it to be go. Kook watched the door intently as four more hits were done to the door. He spotted the door slightly move but he knew it would be hard for it to come in.

Boom…Boom…Boom…Boom…Boom…

Everything became still as Kook closed his eyes sensing for what it was up to but no sound was heard. Finally buzzing was heard, almost like a purr. It was another Wynter smothered herself into his chest as she felt a whimper try to come up but her muffle was successful. Soon it calmed down and only heavy steps were heard but they moved away treading down the hall. Kook allowed his body to loose the strength it held up.

Wynter felt her legs collapse just as his did. She sat in between his legs head rest on his shoulder now as she felt the tears fall down her cheeks she muttered a sorry but words never left his mouth as he focused on the door. He wasn’t sure what happened or if they even left all he knew was the girl in front of him was safe. His important person was safe and she would be able to make it to the safe place.