[i]“...I like to go there in my sleep, aren't any floors for me to sweep, not in my castle on a cloud...”[/i] Aaron Deerling was singing under his breath as he pushed the dust mop down the aisles. He weaved throughout Food 'n Stuff, the store where he worked, assistant manager keys jingling from his belt. The song was a bit out of his range, but that never stopped him before. It was after closing time, so he was alone in the store. He had locked the front doors and sent Ashley, the cashier, home. Technically he wasn't supposed to be in the store alone, but he really doubted that anything bad would happen. Besides, he enjoyed the quiet time. After he finished sweeping, Aaron locked the day's money in the store's safe and switched off the interior and exterior lights. He was actually pretty excited for tonight. It was Youth Night at the church again. Aaron attended both church and youth night frequently but quietly. He sometimes enjoyed himself, but it was mostly for his parents' peace of mind that he went. It was a little different tonight, though. They were all going to go to the town festival, and Aaron had actually been a bit giddy when they had announced the plan. The carnival games had always felt like a waste of time but he loved rides. Every time he went to a festival he felt like a kid again. No responsibilities, no expectations. Just get out and have some fun. Aaron did a final check up to make sure everything was secure before unlocking one of the doors, stepping out and locking it again. As he double checked the doors with one hand, he pulled out his cell phone and called home with the other. He tapped his feet and gazed up at the store as it rang, the voice of his father floating out of the speaker after a moment. “Hello?” “Hey, dad. I'm done at work, do you mind if I take the car straight to the church? I don't really feel like walking after all.” “That's fine, Aaron. Just don't stay out all night.” “Okay, thanks dad. See you later.” Aaron heard the sound of his father hanging up, so he ended the call and shoved the phone back into his blue Food 'n Stuff hoodie. He hadn't bothered changing out of it, it was perfect for a night like this. He was about to head for his dad's car in the empty parking lot when he saw a small mark on the outside wall of the store. Frowning, he looked closer at it, using the light of his cell phone to see what it was. Someone had written a word in very small text in sharpie. It simply read, 'FREAK'. Aaron exhaled slowly, mostly upset that he wouldn't be able to wash it off. Besides, it could've been much worse. Shrugging it off, he started towards the lonely car again, keeping his mind focused on the night ahead. --- Aaron rolled his father's car quietly into the church's parking lot, trying not to draw attention. Making an entrance wasn't really his thing. As he got out of the car, he gazed up at the church, brushing his shaggy blonde hair out of his eyes. It was a magisterial building. The architecture was striking, and it was very well maintained. If an outsider were to see it, even they would know that the church was treasured by this little town. He could see that a small cluster of people were gathering inside, so he steeled himself and stepped inside. As Aaron shuffled inside, his work shoes dragging on the interior carpet, he was relieved to see mostly familiar faces. He himself was a familiar face to the supervisor, who nodded at the sight of him. Aaron nodded back, though the sight of someone caught his eye. It was an incredibly tall, and very very pale young man. He easily towered over all of the adults in the group. Aaron's brow furrowed when some younger kids appeared to be harassing the guy, but soon he had scared them off pretty effectively. A young woman about his age caught his eye as well. If Aaron guessed, he would say that she was about his age, which made the fact that she was currently cleaning off the face of a small boy a bit peculiar, at least for this town. When he saw the dog tagging along, he couldn't help but smile; he loved dogs. Most dogs were better than people. Feeling a bit exposed in the middle of the room, Aaron snuck into one of the corners, not wanting to be a bother to anyone. He simply waited and watched, soaking in the atmosphere of the room.