The morning after the ambush felt unusually calm, almost as if the mansion was trying to lull Josh into a false sense of normalcy. He woke up with a mix of dread and curiosity, wondering how his new "family" managed to function in their strange world. The events from the previous night still played in his mind, and he was determined to understand his powers—if only he could figure out how to fit in with the others first.
As Josh made his way down the hall, he spotted Perkus lounging against a wall near the kitchen. Perkus was nibbling on something small, and Josh squinted, trying to see what it was. When Perkus glanced up and caught his eye, he grinned, revealing sharp fangs stained with a bit of blood. It took Josh a moment to realize Perkus was eating a mouse. Josh's stomach churned, and he fought the urge to gag.
"Hungry?" Perkus teased, flicking the mouse tail aside. "It's an acquired taste." He seemed to enjoy the reaction he got from Josh, who awkwardly shook his head and mumbled a response. Perkus was clearly amused by Josh's discomfort, but his teasing wasn't entirely malicious. There was a flicker of curiosity in his eyes, as if he was trying to figure Josh out.
Josh wasn't sure how to handle Perkus's attitude. He didn't know whether to be afraid, laugh it off, or just ignore him. Before he could decide, Perkus pushed off the wall and walked away, leaving Josh feeling even more confused.
Determined to find the others, Josh continued down the hall and eventually found himself outside Acacia's room. He hesitated before knocking, and the door swung open before he could make up his mind. Acacia stood there, dressed in a silky, revealing robe, her hair still slightly tousled. She raised an eyebrow and smirked.
"See something you like?" she asked, her tone teasing but sharp. Josh stammered, feeling his cheeks burn. Acacia seemed to enjoy watching him squirm, but she didn't push him away. Instead, she leaned against the doorframe, studying him.
"You're going to have to toughen up if you want to survive around here," she said, her voice softening for a moment. "It's not always going to be easy, and we don't exactly have the most... conventional family."
Josh nodded, not really sure what to say. Acacia's words were honest, almost kind, but there was still a distance in her eyes. He wondered how long it had taken her to get used to this world.
Feeling a little off-balance, Josh continued his search and ended up near Paylah's room. He knocked softly, but the door seemed to open on its own, revealing a room bathed in eerie, flickering light. Josh hesitated at the threshold, peering inside.
Paylah was hovering above the floor, her ghostly form glowing faintly. Flames danced around the room, licking at the walls but never leaving a mark. Josh's breath caught in his throat as he watched, unsure whether he was more fascinated or terrified. Paylah noticed him and floated closer, her expression playful.
"Morning, zombie boy," she said with a grin. "Do you like what I've done with the place?"
Josh managed a nervous smile. "It's... different," he said. Paylah laughed, a light, almost musical sound that echoed in the room. She drifted closer, her eyes glinting with mischief.
"You're different, too. But that's not a bad thing," she said. "You'll figure it out eventually."
Josh wasn't sure if she was talking about his powers, his new life, or something else entirely. But there was a strange comfort in her words, even if he didn't fully understand them.
Eventually, Josh made his way back downstairs, where Melane was waiting. She smiled warmly at him, a contrast to the unsettling encounters he'd had with the others that morning.
"You've been through a lot, Josh. It's going to take time to adjust," she said, her voice gentle. "But I want you to feel like you belong here."
Josh's heart warmed a little at her words, but the idea of fitting in still seemed daunting. He wasn't sure he could ever be as confident as Acacia, as carefree as Paylah, or as... whatever Perkus was. And Theen, well, Theen was a mystery all on his own.
Before Josh could respond, Melane's expression shifted, as if she was about to suggest something unusual. "I think it's time you saw a bit more of the world," she said. "Theen can show you around the city. Maybe a trip to the mall will help you feel a little more at ease."
Josh blinked in surprise. Theen, of all people? He glanced over at Theen, who had been leaning against the wall nearby, half-hidden in shadow. Theen gave a small, almost shy nod, and Josh felt a mix of nervousness and curiosity.
The idea of spending time alone with Theen was both exciting and intimidating. There was something about him that made Josh's heart race, but he couldn't quite explain why. Maybe it was the way Theen's gaze softened when he looked at him, or the quiet strength he seemed to carry. Either way, Josh found himself agreeing to the trip, hoping it would help him understand more about this new, strange world—and about Theen.
As they prepared to leave, Josh caught Theen's eye. There was a hint of a smile on Theen's lips, and Josh felt a small flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, he could start to find his place here after all.