“So … you know her?” I asked as Sans and I left the bookstore. I slid my new paperback into my bag as we walked. “The bunny woman, I mean.” Sans answered with a shrug and an affirmative hum, his expression distant. “Would you tell me – ” An uproar of cackles from a nearby…

Sparrow came up the stairs as I was getting ready to go, a new novel in hand to purchase. “Hey, Beau?” she asked, sounding apologetic. “I know it’s near your break, but Lottie’s here and I could use some help.” The rabbit heaved an exaggerated sigh. “I’ll be right down. You need to learn ASL,…

The shopping district was a cordoned-off avenue, with decorative bollards at each end to block vehicles from entering. The buildings were older, two or three stories tall and built of sturdy brick and mortar instead of modern glass and steel. It was a much nicer area than most of the places I frequented, full of…

I was awake. Why the actual fuck was I awake? I woke before my alarm to calm silence and darkness. A quick check of the time on my phone informed me that it was too early to call into any of my jobs to do a schedule check – but it was late enough that I’d sleep…

My days were a monotonous routine. Wake up, go to work, come home, go to sleep. Repeat. But as the end of the month neared, my soul lightened. By the time I left my housekeeping job on the thirty-first I felt like I was walking on air. Halloween revelers were already on the streets as…

The Great Pet Debate continued all the way back to the apartment. And then some. I was sitting on the floor by the couch, sorting through a toolbox full of mismatched tools. Looking for the right cross-head screwdriver to replace Sans’ doorknob. “I think we’ve narrowed it down,” I said, leaning back and counting off…

Landlords and Leases I had expected to find my landlady at the front desk. Her bright red perm a beacon in the building lobby. Instead it was her dark haired daughter behind the desk. She had her head down, busy with something I couldn’t see. “Moira!” I called as I walked over. I tried not…

It’s late. The new moon casts shadows across my bedroom floor. The gauzy curtains over my window float in the breeze. I look at the clock. 25:83 blinks back at me. Too early to be awake, but something is keeping me from sleeping. My desk catches the corner of my eye as I look toward…

By the time I trudged up the stairs to my apartment it was well after midnight. I leaned against the door as I knocked, soft but firm. I just wanted to sleep. I listened for any response before pulling my hand back. Readying to knock again. The lock clicked and I stopped mid-swing, shifting back half a…

Part One: Trust Sans looked between the paper in his hand and his human “owner” as she rushed down the hallway. He couldn’t believe that this wasn’t some sort of cruel prank. With every step he expected her to stop, turn around, order him to come with her. To take away the small taste of freedom she had given…