Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto)

“Jim, are you all right?”

Jim found himself being helped off the floor by the strong arms of his mysterious savior, Spock.

For a moment, Jim found himself gripping Spock’s forearms and clinging to them as he slammed the back door closed with his foot. He peered through the dark window out at the night.

“Jim?”

“Something’s out there.”

“Where?”

Jim pointed with a shaky hand. “Out in the back. I heard it breathing.”

Spock pushed Jim behind him. “Stay here. I will look.”

Jim reached for and grabbed him again. “You aren’t going out there, are you?”

“How else am I to look for the breather?”

“Haven’t you seen Halloween?”

Spock frowned. “Halloween?”

“Yeah. Michael Myers.”

Spock gave him a look and once more pushed Jim away. “I am not afraid. Wait here.”

Spock opened the back door and went outside.

Jim looked around and found his crowbar and then followed Spock outside, crowbar at the ready.

“Spock? Where are you?”

“Here, Jim.”

Spock’s voice came from the side of the house, so Jim made his over there. Spock stood by himself.

“Nothing?”

“Negative. I hear no breathing either.”

Jim frowned. “I heard it. Something or someone was chasing me. Where were you, Spock? I called out.”

“I was in the front yard making certain everything was secure while you slept. I apologize, I did not hear you had risen.”

He blew out a breath and nodded.

Spock encircled Jim’s arm with his hand. “Let’s go back inside. You shouldn’t be running around, exerting yourself after your concussion.”

Jim allowed Spock to draw him back into the house, but he still felt uneasy.

“This isn’t right.”

“Jim?”

He looked around, turning in circles. “I don’t live here. Not like this. This is too…new.”

“New?”

“The house should look older than this.” He stopped turning and put his hand over his face. “Where’s Becky?”

“I do not know Becky.”

Jim lowered his hand and looked at Spock. “I don’t think I do either.”

“Jim—”

“What’s going on here, Spock? Is someone gaslighting me? Are you?”

“I am not.” Spock reached up to the beanie on his head. “However…”

He removed the beanie.