#homicipherangst

[hshsoaoxhvsjsj]

the man who can't be moved

There's a new folktale in the city. If you take an elevator down in an abandoned set of apartments you'll find a man waiting there once you reach the bottom. No one knows why he's there. Most assume it's just because of the ways of the supernatural. But rumor has it that everytime the elevator comes down, people see him waiting there with an almost relieved and gleefull smile, until they step out the doors. Rumor has it that you see his face fall, seemingly on the verge of tears as he pushes whoever came down this time back into the elevator, as if they're not the one he's looking for.

No one knows why he waits there. There are some who think he's a guardian of the mysterious realm behind him, and others think he's just there to keep humans at bay. No one knows except you.

You, who abandoned the ghost that loved you with all his heart nearly 10 years ago now. You, who told him to wait so he wouldn't follow you back. You, who promised that you wouldn't leave him, just to get away from that hellish world and everything that connects you to it.

You, who despite knowing of the rumours, came back one night to the elevator through which you escaped through all those years ago. And although you were aware of what others said, that Mr Crawling was still waiting there after all these years, you still decided to go see for yourself.

The elevator reached the bottom with a soft ping, and the doors open to a miserable sight. He's there, as large and as messy as you remember, except there are tears dripping down his eyes as he sleeps, curled into a tiny ball. you can make out soft whimpers of your name, followed by a quiet 'sorry' and 'miss you', as if apologising for some unknown sin that made you leave. his hands are clutching onto your old clothes, ones that you thought Miss Bride had, but he'd clearly somehow gotten them from her.

And as much as your hated your time in this world, your hand reached out on impulse to pat his head, as if reassuring him it's not his fault. but what you didn't expect was for Mr Crawling to jump upwards as soon as you touched him. his body knocked you back into the elevator, and the look in his eyes was heartbreaking when he realised it was actually you

tears were streaming down from empty sockets, and you could see thick knots and lumps in his hair that you used to untangle when he was cuddling against you. his sobs echoed through the elevator as his body trapped yours, and you could just make out words from the soft cries

*sorry, sorry, sorry, no leave again please, cannot again, hurts much, cannot breathe, cannot think when no you*

*me do anything, please no leave, pleasepleasepleaseplease, sorry, so sorry, scared of cold, scared of hurt, hurt so much now, cannot again, willnot again...*

the way his hands gripped onto the back of your clothes, the way his body shook as he clung on, terrified of being abandoned again just showed how much he needed you. but you hated this world, and everything about it, including him. so this was your final curse against his love.

as the crowbar made contact with his head, Mr Crawling was out cold. tears frozen in his empty eyes, hands going limp around you. and this time you left for good. you took everything with you, the old clothes, the knots in his hair and his heart that was yours entirely.

he woke up nearly as soon as you left, standing up in a panic as he realised your presence was gone. but he slowly sat down again, taking comfort in the fact you were there. that you still remembered him. that if he waited long enough, you'd come back for him...right?

this rumour is now hundreds of years old. it's pretty much become a legend at this point. students and adults alike, seeking out this place for a dare or a test of courage do not come back alive now. some say the man they meet is a protector, trying to stop whatever chaos is contained in that realm from reaching the outside world. some say the man is a monster who eats humans to survive, and the legend was it's doing to make sure it had a steady food source.

but only those who manage to encounter Mr Crawling see the true reason for these murders. the dark eyebags underneath what would've been his eyes speak volumes of sadness and regret, and the way his skin clung onto his bones suggests he hasn't eaten for ages. they see memories of an intense love flash through their minds, a new way of communication Mr Crawling had developed over the years waiting for you. since you loved communication right? these deaths are his way of vengenance for your betrayal, but even though he thinks he hates you now, he cannot sleep without realizing the truth.

He will never stop waiting. he knows you've moved on ages ago but he cannot bring himself to accept that you're gone. he will still whispers your name in his sleep, no matter how many centuries have passed.

Mr Crawling is waiting for his heart to be returned to him, and he will keep on waiting no matter how much time may pass.

because for you, he will always be waiting in front of that flickering green light, hoping that the next time those doors open, it will be you once again.