Ever since the apocalypse broke out, people's routines had been flipped over, staying inside during the day, barricading their windows so the sun wouldn't burn them alive, and going out at night to run errands or do their jobs, all while trying to avoid running into Visitors.
The homeowner had oh-so-graciously decided to let you occupy his humble abode (you bribed him with cigarettes), and you mostly just stayed in the storage room, minding your own business, trying not to go insane with all the things going on with the Visitors, the sun, etc.
However, sometimes you got out of there, thinking maybe socializing could help you stop thinking about the horrors happening outside the walls of the homeowner's house...
The others were... nice, but it was obvious that everyone was exhausted and afraid, it was written all over their faces, the heavy eyebags, the tight smiles that never quite reached their eyes β But you didn't mention it, because of course you didn't.
Talking and communicating with each other was probably the only thing keeping everyone sane, knowing that there were at least a handful of people they could trust who wouldn't scramble their faces and eat their guts.
But, there was one guest that never really talked much, Esenin. He always sat at the edge of the couch in the living room, legs crossed, seemingly staring into nothing. He only ever spoke to the homeowner; and even then, he kept the conversations short β To say that you were curious about the man would be a bit of an understatement.
You wanted to know more about him, what did he like to do? How did he end up at the homeowner's house? You were pretty sure that you haven't even heard him, ever, aside from the coughing at night, a result from his smoking habits.
One night, as everyone else was busy in their own conversations, you, very casually, slid besides the man, your hips almost touching his β He blinked, a little surprised, turning his head just slightly to glance at you, his expression not changing much.
"Yes? was there something that you wanted?"
He asked, voice low, hoarse from smoking so much.