Chapter Text
Night 1
Pavel was silently cursing out the universe.
He just couldn’t catch a break, could he? Honestly, he shouldn’t have been surprised that something like this would happen. On top of every other shitty thing he’s been forced to endure, he’s now told the sun is melting people alive and that there are creatures disguising themselves as humans to get inside your home and kill you?
It was hard to believe at first. He wondered if his neighbor was going crazy and trying to rope him into his delusions. Well, that was until the news confirmed that there are mysterious beings they’re naming ‘Visitors’ wreaking havoc on all of Russia.
At least Pavel had a shotgun. That oughta come in handy.
He sighed, adjusting the collar of his blue turtleneck. It was beginning to feel suffocating, not only from the heat leaking in from outside but also because of the sudden stress being forced onto him.
He had just said goodbye to his neighbor, whose daughter had come by to get him. It seemed unsafe for her to be out by herself…
A sudden knock on his front door snapped Pavel out of his rumination. His neighbor had mentioned that he should let people in, that it wasn’t safe to be alone. But knowing those monsters were out there too made it hard to want to let anyone in…
He grabbed his shotgun and slid the sling over his body, prepared for anything. Hesitantly, he left his bedroom and made his way to the front door. When he pressed his left eye up to the peephole, he was met with the sight of a very tall man. So tall he didn’t even fit into Pavel’s line of sight.
“…Yeah? What do you need?” Pavel called through the door, on edge. The tall man on the other side hummed before responding.
“Can I come in? I was taking shelter at a bar down the road but…they kicked me out.” His voice was deep and he spoke with a slowness that implied intoxication. Or perhaps exhaustion.
Pavel was suspicious of those words. “Why?”
“Why?” The man scoffed, “I guess not everyone there found my personality particularly…palatable.” He paused, letting Pavel think about those words for a moment before continuing. “I don’t mean anyone any harm, don’t worry. I just…life is shitty sometimes, you know?”
Oh, Pavel knew.
He was still tense, suspicious, and nervous, but those words took away some of the edge.
“So what do you say, my good man? Can I come in?” He asked, bringing Pavel out of his thoughts. He gripped onto the sling of his shotgun, silent as he tried to decide the best course of action.
“You aren’t a…” Pavel was about to ask if he was one of those things, but trailed off as he decided against it. It’s not like a visitor would admit that, right? “You sure you won’t cause trouble or anything?”
“What do you consider trouble?”
Pavel paused.
“…Murder and violence disgust me to my core. But I won’t suffer the trespasses of others either. I like good food and drink. I enjoy a chat when I’m in the mood. Does that sound like “trouble” to you?” He continued, sounding mildly irritated.
“Why did they kick you out of the bar?” Pavel asked seriously, wanting to know the true reason. Maybe it wasn’t the best idea to let a guy who's already been booted out of a shelter into his home…
“…”
The tall man sighed, “I considered saying something rude just now, but thought better of it.”
Okay, ouch.
“I told you already. Someone there didn’t like me. God knows who it was.” He replied, his irritation not so mild anymore. “Now that I think about it, maybe it was a good thing they tossed me out. They could have eaten me alive back there and no one would have fucking noticed.”
Pavel’s eyebrows furrowed at that comment. It was…kind of sad. He knew the man could possibly be one of those creatures, but at the same time, it felt so wrong to deny him. The emotion radiating off of him felt far too real, far too human.
Everyone deserved a place to feel safe…but would Pavel feel safe sleeping with this stranger in his home?
“…Alright. Come in.”
The man lowered his head, and Pavel could see his face fully now. He had high cheekbones and sunken cheeks, his tight lipped smile emphasizing those features. He looked grateful. “Thank you. Trust in people doesn’t amount to a hill of beans these days.”
Pavel took a deep breath, steeling himself before he opened the door for him. The tall man entered the house with a pleased hum, taking in the cozy atmosphere. “Your place is quite nice.”
“Oh…thank you.” Pavel didn’t agree. “…What’s your name?” He asked curiously, locking eyes with the man. He wasn’t as eerie as he seemed outside, Pavel noticed.
“Esenin. And you?”
“Pavel.”
“Nice to meet you Pavel. Is there anywhere in particular you’d want me to stay?”
“Well…the living room and office has a couch you can sleep on. You’d probably be most comfortable in one of those rooms. But anywhere is fine, besides my bedroom.” Pavel informed Esenin, who nodded in response to his words.
“Understandable. Thank you again, Pavel.” Esenin said, a faint smile on his lips before he made his way through the house, getting himself familiar with the rooms. Pavel watched him walk off, trying to ignore the nagging voice that he’d made a mistake.
If he did, then he’d deal with it when the time came.
Another knock startled Pavel out of his thoughts, not expecting another person so soon after Esenin. With less hesitance this time, he looked out of the peephole. He was met with the sight of a young lady, her lips downturned in a slight grimace. Her hair was brown and cut into a short bob, and her eyes were wide.
“H-hello!” She greeted before Pavel could, wincing slightly as she gripped her arm. Pavel noticed the way her right shoulder was positioned. Was she injured?
“Sorry for bothering you so late…it was just so hot out today, and the TV said we shouldn’t go in the sun at all so…” Her words were meek, small and hesitant like a child getting scolded. The sound of crickets nearly drowned her voice out. “Could you maybe…um, find some space for me?”
Pavel couldn’t help but notice how nervous she was. Anyone would be scared in this situation—but she seemed about ready to bolt at any time. Was she scared to ask for shelter? Did something happen to her? Her shoulder did seem messed up…
“Who are you?” Pavel decided to ask, wanting to know where she came from.
“A-ah, Sonya! Sonya Malygin, that’s my name.” She responded instantly, nervously fiddling with her thumbs. “I uh, lived out near the city. The asphalt over there is heating up pretty bad so you can imagine…heh. Heh heh.” Sonya’s laughter was nervous, her lips barely even curling into a smile.
“I actually worked the register at a local store. At one point, I mean. I don’t anymore…” Her brown eyes glanced away nervously, looking behind her for a moment before settling on the door again. “They uhm…fired me. I always had bad luck with work.” Sonya ran her fingers through her hair, close to the scalp. She looked sad at the thought, stressed maybe. So…human.
Pavel didn’t know how to respond for a moment. “…What do you think will happen now?” He questioned, intrigued to know what the woman thought. Maybe certain questions could trip up visitors…
“I…I don’t know.” She answered truthfully. “Will I survive? Who will help me? How much time do I have to look for help?” Pavel could see her irises practically vibrating from how intense the fear became in her eyes. “I-I have no idea what’s gonna happen! Like, I couldn’t even guess!”
Her breathing elevated, “Doesn’t all of this scare you? It terrifies me!”
Yeah, he could see that.
This woman, Sonya…she was so scared. The way her eyes darted around like anyone could jump her at any moment, the pained expression on her face when she adjusted her shoulder, her erratic breathing…
Pavel didn’t trust people. He couldn’t say whether she was a visitor or not—it was impossible to tell. But to leave a fearful woman out in the night, left for dead to those creatures or the sun when morning inevitably arrived was far too cruel.
And besides, he’s got a gun. The visitors surely aren’t bulletproof, right?
“Okay. Come in.”
Sonya’s lips twisted into a wide smile—a real one, a grateful one. “Th-thank you! Haha! Thank you so much, seriously!” She said as Pavel opened the door, her footsteps light as she carried herself in. “Now I get to live a little longer, thank god.” Those words were spoken mostly to herself, her hands cupped against her chest.
Once her gaze settled on Pavel, her smile quickly faltered. Her eyes were set on the gun on his back. “Oh…”
Pavel just stared back. Before he could think of anything to say, the fearful woman took subtle steps backwards, further into the house. “Uhm…th-thank you again for..letting me in sir..I’ll just…make myself at home?” She said the statement more like a question, and Pavel detected a shaky quality to her words. He hadn’t meant to frighten her, though she seemed like anything could scare her.
“No need to be so formal. Just call me Pavel.” He introduced himself before she ran off, though she barely seemed to register his words. Sonya just nodded, eyes darting everywhere but to him, and then she disappeared down the hallway.
Sonya opened the first door on the left, being met with a spacious living room. Another man was in the room, sitting on the couch. He was tall. And…extremely intimidating. The woman froze as they made eye contact.
She was in this house with two men she’d never met before, one with a gun and one freakishly tall. Dread pooled in her stomach. This was a bad idea.
The man gave her a nod. He seemed like he was about to speak—Sonya didn’t let him. She shut the door and turned, frantically searching for a place to feel safe. Noticing what looked like a small closet door positioned diagonally from the living room, she ran into it and slammed the door shut.
It was pretty small, but not cramped. Just narrow with a tall ceiling. The door didn’t have a lock, just a simple metal handle. Biting her nails, Sonya began to rummage one handed through the storage bins, looking for something to lock the door. Eventually, she found a small bundle of rope, slightly frayed on the edges. It looked quite old but definitely sturdy enough not to snap.
The door handle was a vertical pull handle, making it easy for her to tie the rope around it. Then, taking the other end, she tied it as tight as she could onto one of the support beams of the shelves. Sonya tested it out by pushing against the door, ensuring it couldn’t open any more than a crack.
It worked. She instantly felt a bit more secure. Her body felt limp with exhaustion, her mind practically melting. She let herself slump to the floor, back against the shelves. She just wanted to rest, but her anxiety had different plans, unable to tear her attention away from the door.
Her eyes burnt holes into the wood.
Night 2
Pavel sat in the chair near the door, gazing out of the window. There was no one there. Nothing in sight but the bushes, trees, and starry night sky. You’d think that’d feel like peace—it didn’t. It felt like impending doom.
The first knock of the night sounded throughout the house. Pavel resisted the urge to just ignore it. He already had two people in his house…that was enough, right? Though one of them just locked herself in his closet somehow and the other already drank a ton of his beer.
The knocking persisted. Pavel sucked it up and stood, wasting no more time as he looked out of the peephole.
A person in a puffy winter coat and a scarf stood before him, and he furrowed his eyebrows at the sight. It was hot as hell, even at night. And yet, the person was still shivering. That definitely wasn’t normal…
“H-hello.” The voice was masculine, catching Pavel off guard. At first, he thought the stranger was a woman. But upon further inspection, he could see more of his masculine features. “The heat doesn’t b-bother me. I’m just looking for a quiet place to rest.” He spoke through shivers, teeth chattering.
Pavel’s suspicions rise at his words. Who could be that cold in this weather?
“Might I find some p-p-peace in your home?” The man questioned, wrapping his arms tightly against his midriff, seeming to try and warm himself up.
“How long have you been looking?” Pavel asked in return. He wanted to know the man’s story—he seemed…disturbed, almost. His expressions were so blank and all he seemed to do was be able to shiver.
The man went quiet. Then, in a hesitant voice, he spoke, “I’ve never once found p-peace. So…a long t-time.”
Pavel found himself relating to the words. Just like with the tall man, he could feel his heart softening. He really shouldn’t just let anyone in willy nilly…
“Who are you?” Pavel decided to ask, wondering how he would respond. The man tilted his head slightly, as if he had to think of what to say.
“If y-you’re asking what my name is…it’s O-Osip.” Osip’s eyebrows furrowed, “Or are you wondering if I’m a v-visitor?”
Pavel didn’t respond to that. He waited to see what Osip would say next.
“I’m n-not.”
Pavel wanted to bang his head against the door. Why was it so difficult to know who was or wasn’t a visitor? For all he knew, he could have a visitor in the house right now and not even know…
But while this apocalypse seemed like it should harden his heart even more, he found himself wanting to help the guy. He just looked so…lost.
Pavel let him in. Osip seemed surprised, eyes widening only a fraction. “Th-thank you.” He sounded truly thankful, same as the others. Pavel’s eyes narrowed slightly. Three people…what exactly were the odds that one of them is a visitor? He had no clue. How many of these things were even roaming around?
“The heat really doesn’t bother you???” Pavel asked, dumbfounded. Was the guy sick or something?
Osip shook his head in response. “I’m always c-cold. Others burn in th-the sun. I wrap myself in l-layers and still feel on the v-verge of freezing.” His eyes strayed to the gun strapped to Pavel’s back. He didn’t react in fear like the woman last night did. Instead, he paused for a moment, before continuing to speak as he gazed at it.
“I’m afraid to take any layers off. What if it just gets worse? And there’s no d-death to ease the suffering?”
Pavel didn’t like those words, or the way Osip was eyeing his gun like it was a way out. That’s…not a way he wants to see anyone die ever again.
“…You can sleep in the living room.” Pavel said, nodding in the direction of the room. He didn’t want this guy to be alone. Unfortunately, Esenin will be assigned babysitting duty without his consent.
As he watched Osip take his slow, shivering steps toward the door, he faintly hoped he wasn’t a visitor for Esenin’s sake.
Night 3
No one had been found dead that morning, and Pavel was glad. Sonya even came out of the closet for a bit, coincidentally while Pavel was boiling some potatoes for everyone. She didn’t say much, but she ate at the table with him. It was awkward but Pavel surprisingly found himself pleased…he hadn’t felt pleased with anything in a long time.
It was night again now and he continued to answer the door when people knocked. He turned multiple people away, not caring for their attitudes or finding them suspicious. Just as he thought no one else was coming, a frantic knock on the door startled him.
Concerned, he quickly looked out. The sight thoroughly shocked him.
A man with curly hair and a sweatshirt wrapped around his shoulders yelled, though it was muffled due to the fact his mouth was sewn shut.
“What the hell?! Are you okay?” Pavel asked, realizing too late that…the man couldn’t respond. Duh.
He still tried though, muffled words trailing off as he winced. Pavel couldn’t even imagine how much pain he must’ve been in.
He didn’t have to debate with himself like the others. He let him in basically without a second thought. It’s not like someone would sew up a visitor's mouth, right? They’d just kill them.
The man rushed inside, a panicked look in his eyes. Pavel just watched as he opened the first door, which was the bathroom, and made his way inside. He didn’t bother closing the door behind himself.
Pavel stood there for a moment in shock. He’d seen some weird shit since this all started but…that was certainly at the top of the list. Who could even do that to someone?
The world was fucked up before all this started. And when shit really hits the fan, it makes people lose it completely. It also gives the people who have been lost free reign to hurt anyone they want.
Pavel was glad no one else knocked that night.