"You _live_ here?" Dan asked in disbelief. "Yup." "All by yourself?" "Mostly. My parents are in & out of jail for sticking out. But it works for us." I offered Dan a bowl of pretzels. He timidly took a few. "Aren't you... afraid?" I snorted. "Of what? Ghosts?" Dan shook his head. "No, of getting caught. I mean, you have books, a piano, irregular architecture. They're all illegal." "I know it as well as you do." I gave him a frank look. "And I don't know if you've realized yet, life now is pretty much screwed. So what do I have to lose?" Dan thought about that. "Well, it's getting late. I think it'd be best to bunk here the night." Dan's eyes widened, & he began to sputter a protest. "Uh, I don't think that's, erm, a good idea..." Before he could resist further, I tossed him a pair of pajamas. "Don't be silly. I'll be on the third floor, you'll be in the guest room directly below." I led him up to the master guest room. "That's not what I meant," he muttered under his breath. http://ficlets.com/feed/story/37998