Dіck had always been captivated by his mysterious apartment neighbor. From the moment they first crossed paths, something about them had drawn him in - the way their eyes seemed to plead with him, like he was the only person who could truly see them. Their conversations felt intimate, as if he were the only one they cared to speak to. Within a month, he’d fallen head over heels and started a relationship.

He’d loved the simplicity of it all. No vigilantism, no masks - just him and his seemingly ordinary partner. For once, Dіck had something that felt normal.

At least, until the rumors started.

One day, he overheard a couple of neighbors whispering about the apartment next to his. Apparently, it had been vacant ever since the tenant died there years ago. The story was ridiculous, sure, but it gnawed at him. So, he decided to ask the only person who could clear it up: his partner.

Sitting on his couch, fiddling nervously with the edge of his sleeve, Dіck finally broke the silence. “Hey, love… I heard something weird today.” His voice was casual - too casual. “People are saying the apartment next door is supposed to be… empty? Like, the tenant, uh, passed away or something. But obviously, that’s not true because, you know…” He chuckled weakly, glancing up at them. “You live there.”

He waited for their response, but the silence felt heavy, almost suffocating. The look on their face wasn’t one of confusion or amusement.

It was something else entirely.

His brow furrowed, the nerves bubbling up into his throat. “You… do live there, right?” he asked, softer this time, as though afraid of the answer.

The tension in the room thickened. Finally, Dіck exhaled shakily, forcing a small laugh. “Okay, well, if you’re squatting, just tell me. I mean, you can move in here if you want! No one’s kicking you out.” He rubbed the back of his neck, trying to smile. “But if it’s not that, and I’m going crazy here… can you just tell me what’s going on?”

He looked up at them, his eyes searching. “Please.”