“Nah, they’re rather elusive.” Although Pietro wasn’t sure what he’d do if he did meet the singing ghost. Maybe ask em to haunt some other building on campus. “Or shy. I’d keep an ear out. Maybe they’ll get into the festive mood too.”

“Maybe... I don’t think I’ve ever heard of ghosts being festive before. They were probably only around for Halloween, it’s such a shame I missed them...” She was feeling lonely, the voices not as loud as they usually were. “Why do you think they chose to sing to you? You must be special.”

“They just sang. They were more in key than the person earlier. I did try looking for them once.”

“Did you find them?” Lachesis stepped a bit closer, now quite curious by his comment. “I’d like to hear them sing, I’ve never heard ghosts sing before.”

“Yeah, you’re right. That makes me feel a bit better. You’re a good friend.”

“Thank you... I’ve never been told that before...” She wasn’t sure how to feel about the comment so she didn’t dwell on it. “Why does he mean so much to you?”

“I am in this forever. You are the only family I have ever wanted. Your blood runs in my veins as mine runs in yours. I cannot speak for Clotho. But I swear on the river nyx that I am going no where.” Atropos slid down the wall to sit next to Lachesis. “You’re never on your own. Never. Even when I wasn’t here I sent how many emails? Sent how many packages? Swore I would be here as soon as I could be. You know what my word means.”

“I thought the same for her. How can I trust this? How can I trust a bond that has been broken by one of it’s members? What do we do now? We were supposed to be family but she left us, Atropos. She broke us apart.” Lachesis was feeling quite hurt but also angry about the situation at hand. “I just worry that you’ll go next...”

“I just hope that I don’t end up giving up hope and then he comes back or something. I’m not sure how I’d deal with that.” He smiled at her. “Thanks, Lachesis.”

“I don’t think you should give up hope, you never know what might happen... Strange things you never expected happen every day...” Lachesis wasn’t sure how to make someone feel better but she tried to paint on a smile. “Sure, you’re welcome.”

Atropos could almost see the light leaving her sister’s eyes. “I know that’s all there is to say. But I just want you to remember that it’s us. We’re in this together. I can leave you alone. But I’m never far.”

“How long will it be us? If she left why wouldn’t you? Why wouldn’t I? Apparently this family didn’t mean what I thought it did.” She brought her knees to her chest and tried to keep her heart from aching more. “We’re not together. We’re all on our own now... The string was cut.”

“No, it really isn’t very nice at all, but I have to hope he’ll come back.” Hermes nodded. “Well, it makes sense why you wouldn’t see him now. If you do, you’ll let me know, right?”

“I hope so too... For you anyway...” Lachesis knew they usually didn’t come back, they never did when she wanted them to. Although, she would try her best to smile and tell him that there was hope. “Of course, if I see him you’ll be the first person I tell.”

“I’m sure it’s better than what you normally get. Most people don’t even bother trying to understand someone else’s crazy.”

“Don’t make me want to cut your fingers off...” Lachesis grumbled quietly, keeping her eyes drawn away from her roommate. “Crazy isn’t something anyone can understand. That’s the problem. People don’t get it. That’s why there’s so many people who are a mess because no one bothers to learn anything about them.”

“I was woken up by ghosts before. Now I’m being woken up by Decks the Halls.”

“That sounds awful... I’d prefer the ghosts. Were they nice ghosts?”

“That’s what happened with my boyfriend. His name’s Happy. He’s a short chubby guy, dark blonde hair, though he wears hats a lot. He’s probably the most optimistic person I’ve ever met, so he’s hard to forget if you’ve met him.”

“I don’t like when they disappear. It’s not nice to do that to someone.” Lachesis sighed heavily, trying not to focus too much on her own sadness. “I believe we had a brief run in months back... We never spoke for long though.”

Atropos sighed and leaned against the wall. It had been a long week. “Because blood of the oath is thick than the waters of the womb.” She looked at her baby sister, “I’m not saying you have to talk to me. or even acknowledge that I’m here. But you’re my baby sister. My stars. I won’t let you deal with this all alone.”

“I know it is... I know...” Lachesis felt the strings of her head beginning to snap, unraveling from themselves and hanging lifeless inside of her skull. “It’s easier alone, I don’t want to talk about it. She left us, that’s all that there is to say.”

“Who’d you lose? Trust me, I’ve been looking. I just don’t know where else to look.” He sighed. “I guess they do.”

“My sister... She just vanished. No goodbye, no note, nothing.” The girl’s stomach was starting to ache at the very thought. “Who are you looking for? Maybe I can help find them, you shouldn’t have to lose them.”

Atropos had been hiding, she wouldn’t admit that but she had been, in her room avoiding everyone. She realized that Lach had probably been doing the same. So she found herself pushing open a door to the only logical place that her sister would hide, “Oh that’s pretty clear. But I’m not going anywhere.” 

Atropos was the only family Lachesis had left. It stung, knowing Clotho had left them, she was the one who had been holding the small pieces of sanity in the blond’s head together. She couldn’t help but to feel empty now. “Why? I just want to be alone right now...”

“True. I usually make my own costumes, but I could pass up this mask when I saw it, so I decided to buy it anyway.” He told her, smiling a bit. “It really is! Halloween has been a big part of my life since I was born.” 

“I think it’s a pretty good purchase.” A small bit of laughter peeked out from behind her lips. “Is that so? Was your family big on the holiday? My parents were very religious, believed it was a horrible holiday which for some reason just made me love it more.”

Hermes nodded. “I think it’s because the person I love went somewhere, and I don’t know when or if they’ll come back. I’ve never had this problem before.”

“You too? I don’t like when they don’t come back. If you love them, maybe you should find them. Loss is part of life though... Everyone goes eventually, don’t they?”

Hermes shrugged. “I thought I was just sad. Apparently I’m not good at hiding it since people have told me I don’t look the same.”

“You can be sad and lonely at the same time, I am. It’s easy to pretend not to be but not to someone else who feels that way too.” She frowned while her head cocked to the side. “What has you feeling like that?”

“No, I ordered it offline. I might be creative and into Halloween, but I’m not that good.” He commented with a small laugh. “But thanks. I think it will work really well.” 

“But making your costume is the best part of the season. I’ve always made my costumes, well, until this year.” Lachesis hadn’t even thought about dressing up yet. It didn’t seem right without Atropos. “Do you like Halloween? It’s my favorite holiday.”