Time is a concept, it weaves and turns. Never still, never moving. There is never a moment equal to another, for a second feels like forever and forever feels like one second.

Darkness was scary, or so it should be, but Lyn thrived in it.

She felt like she belonged, almost as if she could melt into it and become as vast.

Even though at times she felt something else there, and her skin crawled at the thought of a thousand invisible eyes looking upon her as she tried to sleep, she still didn't feel scared.

For the company was a sort of comfort she never had before; as if the whisperings that weren't exactly there were lullabies, stories told for her to sleep in peace - Lyn craved the love that darkness gave to her freely.

She had never truly known the warmth of another person's skin.

Growing up like that had been weird, and probably what shaped her more into being an observer of other humans, than someone who also belonged.

Taking comfort of the other side.

Lyn often wondered if it was her overactive imagination, feeling things that weren't there, or if there actually was such a thing as supernatural beings. Either way, there wasn't any definitive proof.

So lo and behold, when unexplicable - albeit small - things happened to Jamie, her brain instantly made that connection.

She didn't mean to express it outloud though.

On their first conversation, ever.

Ugh.

Thinking back on that day, Lyn felt slightfully regretful for putting Jamie on the spot like that, but the joy and feeling of belonging far surpassed it.

For Jamie was the prettiest soul she had ever laid eyes on, and if not for that beggining, this present, future, past, never would have happened.

And that would have meant Lyn never found her home.

Her place in the world.

Her-

"Hey, we're gonna be late, hurry up."

XXX

"Thanks for the maybe confession, I appreciate it, but I have a thing that I, hm, gotta do right now. So we'll solve this later, still-not-so-sure-you're-not-a-stalker-you."

Lyn didn't know Jamie was sarcastic, it suited her, it was almost kind of cute.

"Wait, do you not know my name?"

Why did that upset her? It's not as if she usually took much care with other people's names either. She was good with faces, names meh, not that important.

"It depends; which answer will let me leave the quickest?"

Ouch.

"I'm Lyn Cho. I sit right next to you." 

How can you not know my name, remains unasked, locked inside her heart.

"I know, I can feel you look at me, dissecting me. Thanks. Can I go now?"

Ouch once again, it was true, she hadn't quite notice how creepy it was till now.

You can go, she should have said but couldn't.

Take me with you, she tried again, but the words failed her.

Don't leave, she begged in her heart.

Silence had once been her safe haven, but now it felt nothing more than shackles; and as Lyn remained quiet - unable to utter a single word because of fear - Jamie frowned, and disappeared into the forest.

Lyn imagined running after her, and telling her that whatever she was hiding it was ok. 

She'd understand.

She thought of secretly following her and uncovering her secrets.

Creepy.

Swallowing everything down, Lyn returned to where she lived instead.

XXX

"I met someone weird today."

Jamie said, while lying on the grass. 

She had already convinced the small monster to stop annoying her in exchange for some sweets once in a while, so now it was her relaxation time.

"Apple, are you listening to me?"

"I heard you just fine. It certainly is quite funny, you calling other people weird, little human."

"I'm not a little human anymore, could you drop that nickname?"

"Says the one who calls me Apple."

"It's a cute nickname for a horrifying being; it suits you because it doesn't suit you at all. And apples are your favorite."

"One day I shall finally eat you, and end your incessant yammering."

"You're literally patting my hair gently, who are you trying to fool here?"

"You met someone weird today."

Smiling triumphantly Jamie continued her story, all while the familiar monster listened attentively.

Maybe, finally, Jamie had found a friend - a human friend. 

As wonderful as that thought was, Apple was slightly upset, for Jamie was theirs.

And if anyone tried to harm her, or take her away, well...