“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.