it was strange, how just looking at that sign, just reading the word, "empty," seemed to make jim feel something, so automatically. it was the same sign he had always passed on his walks. but it had a kind of pull. had it always felt like that? he found himself slowing down, stopping, and just looking at it for a moment. maybe just to catch his breath after going uphill.

it was dark again. he was going outside later these days. there was just something about that cool, october evening, in that neighborhood, particularly at that spot.

as he stood there, he heard the sound of footsteps behind him, but he didn't move, or turn around. a gloved hand was placed on his shoulder, a stranger looming over him, right at his back.

"it makes you feel empty, doesn't it?" they murmured, their other hand caressing his face. "so empty..."

he was being touched so casually. as if they owned him.

"it's dangerous, you know," they continued. "for someone as susceptible and vulnerable as you to walk along these streets at night..."

their caresses were so... sensual.

"the steep hills tire your legs... tire your body... and the signs tire your mind... and all it takes is for someone like me... to find you... while you're defenseless like this... while you're weak..."

their other hand went down to his other shoulder, their grip on him tightening.

his heart was beating faster now, and yet, a part of him still felt blank... dull... hollow... empty.

he knew he'd been caught.

"that's right... just be good and come with me, alright? i know you don't have anything more important to do now... do you?"

"i don't," he said quietly, blankly. his mind was already foggy. his shoulders sank with a sigh as they gently pressed down on them.

"that's it... just relax and follow me... i'll give you that emptiness that you like so much..."

they guided him to their house, and he just followed along with no struggle, as if he couldn't even summon the desire to resist at all. as if he was already theirs. as if they had claimed him.

"you'd always hoped something like this would happen, didn't you?" they whispered as they approached the doorstep.

"i did," he said, a little too automatically.

"that's right... it's going to be exactly as you dreamed, jim..."

they both stepped inside the house, the stranger locking the door behind them.