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— So-o-o-o-o, we have college tomorrow. You coming? — Steve asked, breaking the awkward silence.
— Y-yeah… — Leo stammered uncertainly.
He didn’t really want to go, and to be honest, he wasn’t even sure why he kept going at all. He’d started because his friends had invited him, but now it was just routine.
Still, it was clear that he’d be stuck walking this earth for a while longer. And spending what little time he had left just painting fences didn’t sound too appealing.
Education was necessary, after all… but it infuriated him that even while standing on the edge, he still had to play by this world’s rules.
Though, if he could do something he actually enjoyed—illustrations, computer graphics—maybe his dull days would feel a little less unbearable.
— Do you want us to go with you? — Emily asked kindly. It wasn’t their time to be at college; their classes started later.
— Yeah… that would be nice, — he exhaled.
— Don’t forget, these are special gloves. They’ll help hide and speed up the healing of your wounds. And if anyone bothers you again, just tell them to go to hell!
Leo smiled. It was comforting to know he had friends who wouldn’t turn away from him at the first sign of trouble.
— And don’t even think about stripping in front of everyone. No one cares about your legs, — Steve said with a smirk.
— So, what’s your companion planning to do? Why does she need you?
— She says she wants to enjoy life… but something tells me that’s not the whole truth. I suppose she’s here to fight demons.
— Demons? Why?

— No idea. She says she runs into them sometimes, and they can’t stand each other.
— Where?!
— I don’t know! I woke up this morning, and she was just… in my head. I’m not exactly the type who can charm a girl into talking on the first date!
— Could we, uh… see her? Or talk to her? — Emily whispered.
— Honestly, dude, you look really weird when you do that, — Leo muttered, staring into empty space where no one else was.
But for him, she was there—Alyx.
— You’re not ready, — she snapped irritably. — And I’m not some exhibit to be put on display. Your friends are amusing, but not that amusing.
Leo lowered his head slightly, a little disappointed, though he wasn’t sure why. Talking to Alyx felt too personal to share, especially just hours after meeting her. And even if he wanted to, how would she even reveal herself? Something told him he didn’t want to know.
They sat in silence for a while on the rooftop. Alyx, showing off an effortless grace, walked on the very edge of the slanted, tiled roof, balancing on the tips of her toes. Her tail helped her maintain perfect poise as she took in the sunset over Los Angeles.
As they were about to leave, Steven threw out a casual reminder, “By the way, don’t forget—we have that graffiti job tomorrow night. Still good?”
— Fuuuck! Yeah, I’ll be there, — Leo said after quickly running through his schedule in his head.
Alyx, who had been leaping between rooftops as if it were a playground, perked up her ears in interest. From the lives she had shared with past hosts, she knew what graffiti was. She knew almost everything about modern life—except for the moments when she was in between hosts, cut off from the world. Over the centuries, she had tried countless professions through their hands, watching humanity with amusement. Their endless little struggles entertained her, breaking up the monotony of her existence.
And graffiti… that could be useful. She narrowed her eyes and smirked slightly. Leo had a lot left to learn.
Not all of her hosts handled her presence well. Some lost their minds. Others ended their lives—again—unable to accept the new reality they had been thrust into.
It saddened her, but only because it meant starting the cycle all over again, finding a new host, repeating the same process. As an eternal being, she didn’t worry much about mortal fates. She knew, for most of them, this wasn’t truly the end.
After climbing down from the roof and making sure the house was clear, they could finally take a shortcut—thanks to Alyx. She was always up for a little mischief and had no trouble slipping past any obstacle, unseen by everyone but Leo.
Steve sighed enviously. “Man, I wish I had a companion like that.”
He got an answer he wasn’t expecting: “All it takes is a razor blade.”
That rough remark soured the mood for the evening.
They eventually parted ways, each heading home in their own direction.
— So… how are you? Really? — Steve asked, placing a hand on Leo’s shoulder.
Leo exhaled heavily, checking in with himself. “I guess I’m… okay.”
The sadness, loneliness, and self-hatred were still there. But now, there was something else, too—a small flicker of light, always hovering somewhere close.
And suddenly, he felt something unexpected. Gratitude.
A wave of emotion washed over him, and before he could stop himself, he hugged Steve.
— Whoa, whoa, buddy. It’s gonna be okay. Just… don’t scare us like that again.
Emily joined in, hugging him goodbye.
Alyx was already waiting for him a little ahead. Leo, like a child, rushed to catch up with her.
END OF THE FIRST CHAPTER ฅ^•ﻌ•^ฅ

ฅ^•ﻌ•^ฅ *****2***** ฅ^•ﻌ•^ฅ
The next morning, Leo found himself in a strange position.
As the sunlight crept through the attic window, inching its way toward his face, he scrunched up his nose and let out a disgruntled murmur.
He abruptly opened his eyes, feeling something unfamiliar in his hands. The texture was unusual, and the action itself—holding onto something like this—was out of the ordinary for him.
Looking down, he realized he was gripping the very tip of Alyx’s tail. She was sitting cross-legged near his mattress, her usual relaxed demeanor unchanged. Shocked, he quickly let go, pulling his hands back as if he had just touched something forbidden.
Alyx cracked one eye open, a mischievous smirk playing on her lips.
— Awake now, weirdo?
He felt awkward. Even if it was just a tail—just the very tip—he had still grabbed part of someone else's body without asking. But she seemed more amused than anything.
— You were having nightmares, — she said calmly. — So I gave you my tail to hold onto, and it worked. It's a reflex from childhood.
As if answering his unspoken question, she stretched upwards in one fluid motion, her movements graceful despite the fact that, technically, she didn’t even have muscles to stretch.
— Maybe it's a habit from a past life, Leo thought.
She got up briskly, swishing her tail, which settled into its usual position behind her.