Chapter Text
8:00 PM.
Late. Their parents weren't home yet.
Mia sighed as she turned her head away from the clock on the desk, focusing back on her brothers instead. A mindless show played on the TV screen, not doing anything to lighten the darkness of the house. Creaks came from every corner as shadows fed on the lingering fear in the back of Mia's mind. As the creaks persisted, much to her dismay, heavier ones began to follow. Like footsteps.
She whipped her head around, looking at every odd thing inside the void-touched areas of the house. Nothing. Was she just making herself go crazy?
8:30 PM.
Yelling from next door. Same conversation like months before: divorce, cheating.
Mia turned the TV up, not wanting her little brothers to hear that. As much as the loud noise bothered her, she'd rather have her brothers stay silent and not ask questions. It was better for them, anyway. She didn't want to get hit by mom again.
Please, not again.
9:00 PM.
Wasn't it 8:00?
Jack noticed how distant his big sister seemed. As much as he knew better than to ask questions, he already knew about the arguments mom and dad have. He always stopped Mason from asking about the yelling from the neighbor's house or inside their home. It was safer than having their big sister with too many bruises to count.
One day, maybe they'll be safe.
9:35 PM.
Still no sign of family. The looping ads and children shows were making her go insane.
Mia was now rocking back and forth, ignoring her hunger all because she couldn't get the thought out of her head that something was watching them. She kept looking behind her, around, above, even behind the TV, but nothing eased her fear. But, soon, if Jack and Mason got hungry, what would she do? Yes, their parents may be gone, but what happens when they finally come home and see the mess they made in search of food when their parents came home with it?
She'll find flashlights. She'd have too.
9:55 PM.
How much longer?
Mia had drowned herself in her thoughts, watching nothing but dead space. Though, as the seconds ticked down, the TV screen suddenly changed. An ad, one the kids have never seen before. Mia swiveled her head towards it, getting up from her spot beside the couch to go check it out with Jack and Mason.
"IT'S PAST 10:00 PM. DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR CHILDREN ARE?"
Silence filled the house as the TV glitched out, the screen going from a flash of rainbow colors to a black screen. Darkness filled the house.
Suddenly, it came back on. The lights inside the house flickered on, and the kids turned to look behind them. All 3 screamed at the sight of a tall, large entity watching them. Hidden beneath a cloak of shadow, it's eyes traced their bodies. Soon, it lifted it's head...and smiled.
"HELLO!"
The children flinched at the cartoonish voice. It sounded like any other adult, but better. Less unknown. The entity went from horrifying to looking like a friendly sidekick you find in movies. They donned a purple fedora with a green stripe, wearing a poncho of polka dots and smiley faces. Their pants were green and they now held a cane?
Mason, Jack, and Mia all looked at each other before back to the strange being that had just appeared. Mia, like all older sisters, pulled the boys behind her, despite knowing this creature could easily defeat her with a snap of its wrists. "Who are you?" Her voice was quiet, barely echoing in the empty house. The creature just smiled warmly, walking over and kneeling for better talking access.
"I AM YOUR CARETAKER FOR TONIGHT! I PROTECT CHILDREN WITHOUT PARENTS LATE AT NIGHT. YOU, DEAR KIDS, HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR FROM ME!"
Mason, being a bit too young to understand anything, immediately walking up to the newcomer. Mia and Jack reached out stop him, but paused as the creature just picked him and cradled him. It's eyes floated back to them with an even bigger grin.
"YOU CAN CALL ME APO!"