There's no worse situation than living with someone that you know can't be around any other human being other than yourself. It's suffocating, because all I think about, all I fear, is what could possibly happen if he gets out of the house. If he meets someone he's never met before, which, in fact, is anyone but myself.

My heart dropped a million miles as everything was calm, and everything was fine, until the repetitive noise abruptly ruined the calmness I was feeling.

Someone was knocking on the door.

Ellie was sitting on the floor, his back leaning against the bare wall as he silently listened to the record player that we've had on repeat for nearly two hours. I made sure he stayed in the living room with me, so I could paint as well as keep an eye on him.

It's been three days since we last had our little dispute. He hasn't spoke much after that, which is really saying something considering he never really spoke much to begin with.

As the knocking at the door filled my ears, I felt my entire body tense in anxiety. My eyes darted not to the door, but to Ellie, who was now staring at the door as if it were a threat.

He quickly stood up, but cautiously stayed in his place. It wasn't until I noticed the black in his eyes and veins burn a shade darker, that I realized this was just as bad as I hoped it wouldn't be.

"It's okay." I stated quickly, as I walked over to him and took hold of his arm. He stared so strongly at the door, but as I touched him, his head spun to my direction.

I've never purposely touched him like this. Not when I didn't have too. I think it startled him. I was too panicked to care.

"Stay here." I whispered, "Do not move, whoever is at the door, they are not a threat, I promise you."

He just stared at me, which made my uneasiness expand even further. I slowly made my way to the front door, making sure that as I did so, I didn't do it in a way that would spike his fear even more.

I unlocked the door, and opened it an inch. Of course, standing there was none other than Levi and his sister Selena. These people won't give me a break, and it was becoming tiresome. I wanted to yell at them, warn them to never come back, but just my luck, that may just convince them to keep coming over.

"Good morning." Piped Selena, who had such a feigned smile displayed that even she knew it, in fact, was not a good morning.

"What do you want?" I said, getting straight to the point. I could feel Ellie's eyes burning on me, and no, I couldn't ignore it no matter how hard I tried.

"We brought a few gifts for you." She held up a beautifully wrapped plastic container filled with more sweets than I've ever seen at once. What were these people trying to prove?

I held out my hand to receive the gift, I heard shuffling behind me, which made me turn my head to Ellie. He was now inches closer than what he was before. As if seeing me reach out to these people frightened him.

Of course, he must think they were going to hurt me.

To hurt him.

I mouthed to him the words, "It's okay, stand back." But I don't think he understood.

I looked back to the two siblings, and took their gift. "Thank you." I said, purposely sounding sweet not for their sake, but to show Ellie that there is nothing to fear from these two. Even if their obsessiveness was becoming a bit creepy.

"Our mother also wanted us to give you this." Levi spoke up, and handed me a piece of paper. I took the paper with my empty hand, and read it. It was a phone number, their phone number.

"Just in case you ever need someone to talk to, or just help with anything." Stated Selena, who looked like someone who would most definitely not listen if I needed someone to talk to. Still, I pretended to be grateful.

"Thank you, you guys are very kind. Please thank your mother for me."

"Of course," Said Selena, "we are always here for you." No, they aren't. "Don't ever be shy to call." I won't call, like, ever.

Levi looked like he wanted to say more, but Selena had already turned and began walking off the porch. He opened his mouth to say something, but quickly shut it and just awkwardly waved goodbye before he shamefully followed his little sister off the property.

I shut the door, and locked it.

Thank God that's over.

I turned back to Ellie, who looked even more vicious than before. His fists were clenched and I could see him shaking. His veins were pure black, along with his eyes and what little I could see of his fingernails from his clenched fists.

I dropped the box of sweats on the floor and ran over to him, fearing he'd think he'd have to go out and attack.

"It's alright, Ellie, it's okay they are gone."

He wouldn't look away from the door.

I felt like I had to do something, but I didn't know what. I reached my hand out, and put it on his shoulder. He exhaled, and glanced at me.

"You're safe." That didn't calm him. "They weren't going to hurt you." With one of my hands on his shoulder, I took hold of his arm, and slowly pulled him back into the living room where I guided him to the spot where he had previously been sitting for nearly two hours.

I told him to sit back down, but he refused to listen, so I sat down, and pulled him down to sit with me.

He did.

We sat there in silence for a moment. He breathing was ragged, and body still tense. I began to speak again, "Remember when you said you wanted to go outside."

He turned to me.

"And I told you that you aren't ready." I paused, "You got mad at me because you thought you could handle it."

He was silent.

"Well, if you truly want to go outside, you have to understand that you can't act this way out there." I frowned, "They weren't going to hurt you, Ellie." Was he even listening? "They weren't going to hurt me either." He suddenly blinked, as if saying that snapped him out of his rabid state.

I was a bit surprised. It seemed he didn't care if they were a threat to him, he cared if they were to me.

That should comfort me, I should be thankful that he felt that way.

But I'm not.

If he truly is concerned of what happens to me, what would happen if I tried to leave the house? What would happen if he believes I'm being attacked by an innocent being?

How far will he go?

"What is that?" He asked looking at the box of sweets Selena had given to me, which were now on the floor.

"Treats." I said, as I slowly stood up and fetched them. I returned to his side with the box in my hands, and opened it.

He peered inside the box, and took out a carefully wrapped homemade piece of candy.

"Do you want to taste it?" I asked, and he just looked at me as if not really understanding why I was allowing him to do such a thing.

After all, this is food for humans.

I took the candy from him and opened it out of its wrapper. I then gave it back to him.

He stared at as if it were such a unique object. I couldn't help but laugh. "You're supposed to eat it, not observe it like a piece of art."

"I've not eaten before." He said quietly, but loud enough for me to hear.

I shrugged, "Eventually you're going to have to get used to solid food, you can't live off the serum forever."

He hesitated, and I had to encourage him to just try it. Finally, he stuck it into his mouth.

"Now chew it."

He kept chewing, and even coughed a bit as if he thought it were disgusting, but eventually, he swallowed.

"So?" I urged, and nudged him with my elbow, "Did you like it?"

He coughed again, and I automatically assumed this was a fail. Yet, he reached his hand out, as if asking for another piece.

I handed him another, and watched as he carefully unwrapped it. He stuck it into his mouth, and leaned back against the wall.

He likes it. I smile, at that.

"Well then." I said, relieved I can finally say these next words, "No more creepy purple serum for you."