56

“Jesus, it fucking stinks in here,” said Ella.

“Shhh!” Hissed Conor. Immediately regretting choosing this house. How they would find out from this man anything about the three sisters suddenly felt impossible. A rush of shameful embarrassment rushed the boy. Shit-show phase two, he thought.

The man who lived here broke conventions. He lived like an empty. The neighbour did not mind mould nor rot. But Ella was right, he was positively overflowing. Conor could feel him upstairs. The presence of the man without eyelids allowed Conor and Ella to commune with the man’s deep, even as they remained above.

“This guy is more fucked than me,” said Ella then, “I don’t want think I want this.”