They stopped at the end of Ita's street.
The house stood there like it always did.
Quiet.
Dark.
Waiting.
One light was on in the kitchen window. The same yellow glow. The same stillness. From the outside, it looked normal. Safe, even.
Ita's feet wouldn't move.
Kiel took a few steps forward before realizing Ita wasn't beside him anymore. He turned back, confused.
"Ita?"
Ita stood frozen at the edge of the sidewalk, breathing fast, arms wrapped tightly around himself like he was trying to hold his body together.
"I cant." he whispered.
Kiel walked back toward him. "Cant what?"
Ita didn't look at the house.
He couldn't.
Because he could already see them.
They were standing in the yard.
Waiting.
A tall figure leaned against the front gate, its body stretched thin like it had been pulled apart. Its neck bent slowly from side to side, joints cracking softly. Its mouth hung open, and something black dripped steadily from inside.
Another sat on the roof, crouched low, arms wrapped around its knees. Its face was covered by long hair, but its fingers tapped lightly against the tiles.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
Like it was counting.
The stair boy stood right in front of the front door.
Smiling.
"You live here." it said softly.
Ita stumbled back.
" I cant go inside " he said again, louder this time.
Kiel followed his gaze, but all he saw was an empty yard and a quiet house.
"you're safe now " Kiel said gently. "you're home."
Ita shook his head hard.
"No."
The word came out sharp. Broken.
Kiel blinked. "What do you mean no?"
Ita finally looked at him.
And Kiel saw it.
Real fear.
Not the kind from bullies.
Not the kind from a bad day.
This was deeper.
Older.
"I dont want to go back." Ita said, voice shaking. "please."
Kiel frowned. "Did something happend?"
Ita opened his mouth.
Then closed it.
How could he explain?
That the house wasn't just a house?
That the ghosts were already waiting inside?
That sometimes, the things in there felt worse than the ones outside?
The kitchen light flickered.
A shape moved behind the curtain.
Too tall to be his mother.
Too still to be human.
Ita's breath hitched.
"Please.." he said again, grabbing Kiel's sleeve. "Can i stay with you tonight?"
Kiel hesitated.
Just for a second.
"I'll sleep on the floor" Ita rushed on. "Or the coach. I wont eat anything. I wont make noise. I'll leave early. I just-"
His voice cracked.
"I dont wanna go in the there."
Behind him, something knocked once against the front door.
From the inside.
Kiel glanced at the house again.
Still nothing.
"Youre scaring me" Kiel said quietly. "Is it your parents?"
Ita didn't answer.
But that was answer enough.
Kiel's expression changed.
The confusion softened into something else.
Understanding.
"they hurt you?" he asked.
Ita looked down.
Silence.
That was enough too.
Another flicker in the kitchen window.
This time, Ita saw a hand press against the glass from the inside.
Long fingers.
Too many joints.
It slowly dragged downward, leaving a dark smear behind.
The stair boy's voice slipped into his ear.
"Theyre waiting, Ita..."
Ita squeezed his eyes shut.
"i'll do anything." he whispered to Kiel. "please,i'll be quiet.I wont cause trouble. Just… not tonight. I cant go back tonight."
Kiel looked at him for a long moment.
Then he sighed.
"Idiot." he muttered softly.
Ita's heart sank.
Then Kiel grabbed his arm and gently pulled him away from the house.
"come on."
Ita blinked. "W-what?"
"youre staying at my place." Kiel said, already walking. "before i change my mind."
Ita didn't move at first.
"You serious?" he asked, voice barely there.
Kiel looked back at him. "Yeah.But you owe me. Im not explaining this to my mom alone you know."
Ita felt something tight in his chest loosen.
Just a little.
"Thank you.." he whispered.
As they turned the corner, Ita risked one last glance back.
The front door was open now.
Just slightly.
No one stood there.
But the darkness inside the house looked deeper than it should.
The stair boy stood in the doorway.
Half hidden.
Still smiling.
It lifted its hand slowly.
And waved.
Not goodbye.
Just watching.
Waiting for him to come back.