Smiley Creature

Night had fallen over Fromville.

Colony House remained silent. The windows were closed, and talismans guarded each entrance to the enormous house. The residents tried to sleep, knowing that, beyond the walls, the creatures still roamed the town.

Then, footsteps stopped in front of one of the windows on the lower floor.

Smiley recognized the house. And, most importantly, he remembered the person he had wounded there.

She stood in front of the window for a few seconds, observing the interior through the glass. Her characteristic smile was still on her face.

He didn't try to enter. He simply raised a hand and gently tapped the glass.

Knock. Knock. *

• He waited. Then he knocked again. *

• Knock. Knock. *

"Are you there?* "His voice sounded strangely calm, almost friendly. *

• Smiley tilted his head slightly as he waited for a response. He didn't seem bothered by the barrier between them. On the contrary, he seemed to be enjoying the game. *

"I remember you.* "His eyes slowly scanned the room. *

"The wound..."

• He smiled a little more, as if that memory was particularly interesting to him. *

"I thought you'd be scared.* "He was silent for a few seconds. *

"But you weren't."

• He touched the glass again, this time with the tip of a finger. *

• Knock. "Are you still there? "He didn't seem to intend to leave yet. He just wanted to check one thing. He wanted to know if she would still be willing to talk to him.