Valerie eased her car to a halt near a little two-level home, its faded blue walls peeling slightly under the afternoon light, while a porch swing swayed noisily in the breeze. Right on her tail, Hopper pulled up, his engine growling briefly till he turned it silent.
Eli looked at the house.
It wasn't big.
It wasn't fancy.
It didn't feel frightening at all.
Yet it seemed like an exam.
The chill rushed in as Hopper swung open the truck door.
"C'mon," Hopper said softly. "I'll walk you in."
Eli trailed behind, moving slow, his shoulders hunched in the baggy hoodie. Frost crackled underfoot as they walked through the quiet dawn. Hopper kept up, staying step for step, never saying a word.
The old porch creaked as Hopper stepped on it. Then Valerie gave a quick knock.
Steps came close. Metal clicked inside the lock. After that, light spilled through as it swung wide.
A woman in her late thirties was standing there - her brown hair pulled into a loose tie, eyes looking worn out, a checkered apron on that had bits of flour scattered across it.
"Mornin'," she chimed, tossing a tiny grin. "So you're Eli, huh?"
Eli stayed quiet at first. Instead, he lowered his chin slowly.
Her expression softened. "My name's Marcy Turner. And this is my home."
Hopper touched Eli's shoulder for a sec - no pressure, just balance.
Valerie handed Marcy a folder. "Basic information. We'll finalize paperwork tomorrow."
Marcy nodded and stepped aside. "Come in, sweetheart. Shoes can stay on if your feet are cold."
Eli paused at the door, unsure whether to step inside.
His stomach twisted.
His chest tightened.
His heart pounded way too hard.
The system reacted - a soft heat under his chest. Not loud, just steady. Calm presence. Holding things together without fuss.
No text.
No UI.
A soft nudge.
Eli breathed out - then walked in.
The house had the scent of cinnamon alongside laundry soap - warm, worn-in. Up there on the shelf sat some board games piled up. The walls held odd-sized picture frames. On one little table near the edge: pencils everywhere, sketches left halfway done.
"Where's… um…" Eli said, voice thin. "Where do I stay?"
"Oh - your room's upstairs," Marcy said gently. "I set up clean sheets last night. Nothing fancy. Just… safe."
Safe.
The words struck deeper than they had any right to.
Hopper followed close behind - big, calm, almost like a silent guard. "Feel like taking a look?" he said.
Eli nodded.
They went up the steps - covered in carpet, kinda quiet underfoot, though one creaked. At the hallway's edge, Marcy turned the knob and pushed open the door.
It felt cozy even though it wasn't big.
A bed.
A desk.
A dresser.
A little light stuck in the socket, glowing faint - almost trembling - like a flame in the dark.
Eli stepped inside, eyes scanning around but keeping his hands off stuff.
No memories here.
No past.
No ghosts.
Just… a room.
"I know it's not home," Marcy said behind him. "But I want you to feel safe here. You don't have to pretend."
Eli's throat tightened.
He stayed looking the other way - just in case someone might catch a glimpse.
Hopper exhaled. "I'll check in tomorrow. Before or after Valerie, doesn't matter." He looked at Eli directly. "You call me if you need anything. Anything."
Eli bobbed his head fast. "Sure thing. Alright."
"Not good enough," Hopper repeated. "Say it."
"I'll call you."
"That's better."
Hopper slapped his back one last time - fast, as if it didn't mean much - and moved toward the steps. After a beat, Valerie went too.
Marcy lingered.
"Are you hungry?" she asked. "I was about to make breakfast."
Eli gave a quick nod - his belly rumbled way harder than his voice could ever match.
Marcy grinned soft-like. "We'll go with pancakes then."
When she walked away so he could get comfortable, Eli hung back near the window, lightly touching the edge of the fabric.
The world out there seemed just fine.
Quiet streets.
Cold air.
Nothing supernatural.
Yet he sensed it - the quiet strain underneath. As if the earth waited without moving.
The machine hummed softly once more.
A reminder.
You are stable.
You're okay... but not for long.
Eli perched by the mattress, then exhaled slow. While he dropped there, his shoulders relaxed at last - just for now.
He wasn't ready.
Yet on this one dawn, after opening his eyes here… fear didn't grip him.
Just uncertain.
And maybe… hopeful.