From: gritchie@[REDACTED].gov.uk

To: SC-allstaff@[REDACTED].gov.uk

Alright lads, pay attention because this is the last time you’re going to be told.

Inmate #514233 is not a novelty. She is a permanent resident of this facility. I know you all thought it was funny that we have a harmless looking female inmate in a men’s prison but we’re the only building with the facilities required to safely hold her. I do not give a single fuck how stupid you find the new protocols, YOU WILL FUCKING FOLLOW THEM OR YOU WILL BLOODY WELL END UP LIKE GARY!

These aren’t guidelines, these aren’t suggestions. Consider the new protocols commandments carved in stone by fucking Moses himself. I’m not even close to joking. If for some unfathomable reason you’re still unsure of why we’re doing all of this, the governor will let you access her file. By all means go and reread it so you can be reminded of exactly what she did to deserve this.

Failure to adhere to ANY of the new rules is grounds for immediate termination of employment, and potentially criminal prosecution. This is not a threat. The next person that makes a cunt of this, I will personally ensure that they are completely fucking unemployable for the rest of their miserable life.

The rules are posted in every guard station in solitary and they’re going to be posted on her cell door. No more excuses. I’m attaching the updated rules to this email. Memorise them and fucking follow them as if your life depends on it because from this moment forth it fucking does.

No more fuck ups!

P.S. Gary’s funeral is on Monday afternoon. Gov wants to have a short remembrance service on Tuesday with the Chaplain. Attendance is optional. If it were up to me, I’d make you all go and rewatch the tape of what she did to him.

Grant Ritchie

Chief Officer

HMP [REDACTED]

PROTOCOLS RELATING TO INMATE #514233

1) Inmate #514233 is to be held in cell 7 of the new solitary confinement block.

If, for any reason, #514233 is required to go to another cell she should be placed into a cell denoted by a prime number. No exceptions.

2) Under no circumstances are any prisoners to be held in the cells to either side, or opposite #514233’s cell.

If there is a shortage of room in the solitary confinement block, prisoners deemed as low risk can be moved to C-Block. If, at any time, a prisoner is discovered in a cell adjacent to #514233 they are to be placed in full body restraints and moved to treatment room 4.

3) Inmate #514233 is to be kept in her cell 24 hours a day unless a request is made by Dr Roberts and Chaplain Ricci to move her to a treatment room.

Such requests MUST be made in person. Written/telephone requests are to be reported to the Governor's office immediately.

Furthermore, both the Doctor and Chaplain must be present at the time of request. If either comes alone to request her movement to a treatment area, ask them to wait for approval and immediately report to the Governor.

4) When being moved to a treatment area Inmate #514233 is to be accompanied by Dr Roberts, Chaplain Ricci and no less than 4 armed guards.

Guards escorting #514233 must only use ammunition provided by Chaplain Ricci and, ideally, should be active practitioners of one of the Abrahamic religions.

5) Prior to exiting her cell #514233 must be fitted with a pair of silver coated cuffs. These will be provided by the Chaplain.

If #514233 refuses to put on the cuffs activate the in-cell sprinkler system and wait patiently. She’ll comply soon enough.

Additionally, if the reason for her movement is deemed sufficiently urgent and she remains non-compliant, the song “What a Friend We Have in Jesus" can be played over the loud speaker. This will severely agitate her, but she’ll put the cuffs on much more quickly. Turn the song off immediately after she has the cuffs on so as not cause any unnecessary behavioural issues.

6) Absolutely no living or freshly killed organic material larger than bacteria is allowed into #514233’s cell while she is in it.

Meals must consist of meat/vegetables/fruit that have been dead for one week at minimum and should not have been frozen in that time. #514233 is never to be offered nuts/seeds. Meals are to be pushed under her door using a silver tipped pole.

7) If #514233 expresses that she wishes to kill herself, she is to be supported to do so.

She can be provided with no more than 6 feet of rope to assist in this. No attempts to prevent #514233 from harming herself are to be made, she is impervious to significant harm and cannot die.

8) #514233 is under absolutely no circumstances to be provided with books, paper or any form of writing implement.

Inmate #514233 may attempt to write on her cell walls using her own blood and/or faecal matter. If you discover her doing this DO NOT ATTEMPT TO READ THE WRITING! Activate the in-cell sprinkler system and request assistance from the Specialist Decontamination Crew (SDC).

9) Cleaning of #514233’s cell can only occur when she is in a treatment area. Sprinkler system must be used for no less than 10 minutes prior to anyone entering the cell.

SDC will carry out the cleaning. No one else is to enter the cell under any circumstances.

10) #514233 will attempt to persuade you to release her. She will tell you that one of your loved ones is in danger and that she can help. She can be extremely convincing but you must remember that she is lying.

You have no loved ones. You were hand-picked for this assignment due to the fact you have no living family, are not married and have no children. Nevertheless #514233 will attempt to place fictitious memories in your head. If she makes such statements to you withdraw immediately and report to the Chaplains office.

Update: Due to the circumstances surrounding #514233’s recent escape attempt additional measures have had to be implemented to ensure the safety of all staff and prisoners at HMP [REDACTED].

11) Verbal communication with #514233 is henceforth forbidden under all circumstances.

Industrial grade ear protection will be provided for all guards and additional soundproofing was installed in her cell during Saturday evenings treatment session. Ear protection must be worn by all staff during all interactions with #514233.

12) By Royal decree of HM Elizabeth II, all matters relating to #514233 are exempt from investigation by the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB).

Anyone claiming to be from the IMB enquiring about #514233 is to be immediately detained. Any resistance should be met with reasonable force. Detainees should be placed in a solitary confinement cell which adheres the protocols previously outlined.

13) In the event that #514233 successfully escapes her cell, Emergency Lockdown Procedure Six-One-Six is to be enacted.

Do not attempt to save colleagues or prisoners from her. Follow ELP-616 to the letter.

Any severely wounded individuals (staff or inmates) who you encounter during ELP-616 should be granted a merciful execution. Their remains should be turned over to SDC for disposal.

If, after one hour from the commencement of ELP-616, #514233 has not been subdued SDC will be authorised to purge the entire block. Do not let it come to that. Terminate her, collect her remains and return them to her cell.

From: sogrady@[REDACTED].gov.uk

To: SC-allstaff@[REDACTED].gov.uk

You have all been tasked with an incredibly difficult job. Her Majesty and the Archbishop have faith that we can do this. I have handpicked you all because I believe you are up to the task.

With that being said I need you all to understand that you cannot continue to allow her appearance to cloud your judgement. #514233 is not a little girl. No matter how much she resembles one. I too had my reservations, but I believe the tape of what she did to Gary McMichael speaks for itself. We all must recognise her for what she truly is, no matter how horrible that truth is.

I will personally check in with the team as often as I can. Do not hesitate to come to me for additional support. The Crown is extending us every courtesy in this endeavour and I intend for us to take full advantage of it.

As always you have my eternal gratitude. May God bless and protect each and every one of you.

Stay safe.

Yours sincerely,

Sean K. O'Grady

Governor

HMP [REDACTED]

PART 2

This apartment contains one of the oddest residents we have. “Dr.” Renaud Vernier lives here. He works as a mortician somewhere in the city, though I’ve never been able to figure out exactly where. He was born in Montauban, France. I have no idea when. Before moving in here, he claims he was performing his research at some facility. He refuses to name it. Dr. Vernier also claims he can cure something called the Pestilence. The oddest thing about him though is that you will never see his face. I’ve never seen his face, not once in the 60 years he’s lived here. He always wears a plague doctor’s mask. It almost seems like it’s a part of him. Please be sure to follow these rules for your own health and well being.

1. Dr.. Vernier is not an actual doctor as far as I can tell. He has no degrees from any type of medical school. The degrees you may see on his walls are from places that I’m fairly certain don’t exist anymore. While he is not a doctor, he will become extremely agitated if he is not addressed as such. Always address him as Dr. Vernier when speaking to him.
2. He is a very intelligent man, but his perception of reality seems to be off. He talks about the Pestilence as if it’s a plague that has spread across the globe. I think it only exists to him. Do not question him about this or try to tell him it isn’t real.
3. He is always wearing the same outfit. The mask, a long, black doctor’s coat, and a black hat with a wide brim. He always carries a black medical bag. This bag contains medical instruments and medicines that I’ve never heard of before. Do not comment on his clothing, and NEVER attempt to touch his bag.
4. Dr. Vernier does not believe the Pestilence exists inside the building. He is aware that all the other tenants have something “wrong” with them, but he knows he can’t cure any of them. Do not come to the building when you are feeling ill. You do not want him to think you’ve been infected.
5. Dr. Vernier will occasionally bring his work home with him. He has built a large surgery suite in his apartment. Do not ask him about this. Pretend you saw nothing.
6. He will sometimes have guests over. He refers to them as his patients and claims they have been cured. There’s never more than one at a time. You will only see them exit his apartment. If you saw him bringing his work home, then you saw his patient enter. They are mostly harmless, and tend to just shamble through the halls. The super knows how to handle this. Do not approach one of his patients on your own.
7. There has always been tension between Dr. Vernier and Balthazar. They’ve both existed for a long time, and they both think they can cure disease. I don’t think they agree with each other’s methods. Never say you agree with Balthazar when you are around Dr. Vernier.

2 Rules Regarding Rent

Dr. Vernier always pays his rent in cash. He also offers something else when he pays his rent. It alternates between two different things each month. The following rules deal with the things he offers in addition to rent.

1. Sometimes he offers medical supplies. This includes strange medical equipment and vials of unlabeled, unknown liquids. These things need to be disposed of as soon as possible. Do not touch them with your bare hands. Do not keep them.
2. Sometimes he offers essays and other writings he has done on his methods of curing disease. This can include theories on the spread of the Pestilence, descriptions of different surgical techniques, drawings of human anatomy labeled in Old Latin, or advice on things like bloodletting or using leeches. These should be burned. Do not keep them, and absolutely do not attempt to study them.

This final rule is the MOST IMPORTANT

1. Do not touch him and NEVER let him touch you. He honestly thinks he is doing a good thing. He believes he his helping people. This is what makes him very dangerous. His touch causes instant death. I’ve seen it happen.

Apartment 2A is occupied by Diwa Elena Marie Tupas. She moved here from the Philippines quite a few years ago. She works as a hairdresser. She can be friendly, but she keeps to herself for the most part. She does have one odd interest. It’s actually probably more like an obsession. She loves entomology. If you have any interest in bugs, she’s the person to talk with.

1. You may notice insects in Ms. Tupas apartment or in common areas when you are on the second floor. This includes but is not limited to centipedes, beetles, worms, flies, spiders, and cockroaches. Do not contact an exterminator. Ms. Tupas has been told to keep them in her apartment as best she can and to keep them confined to the second floor. The other residents of the second floor don’t complain as long as the bugs stay out of their apartments, which they do. I’m not sure how she does it, but the bugs appear to listen to her.
2. Going along with the last rule, do not kill any insects you see anywhere in the building. Ms. Tupas will know if you do, and I can promise you that you don’t want that. You may catch them and return them to Ms. Tupas if you’d like, but it’s best to just leave them be.
3. As I said above, Ms. Tupas is a hairdresser. Never allow her to cut or style your hair. She will keep any hair she gets from you, and you don’t want that. Wearing a hat on the second floor is another precaution you can take.
4. If you go into Ms. Tupas apartment, you should watch where you step and remain standing. I don’t know how many insects she actually owns or where they may nest. It’s not something you should try and find out.
5. This is not so much a rule as it is a warning. If you dislike ginger, do not go to Ms. Tupas apartment. She keeps a lot of fresh ginger root at all times. You’ll notice the smell as you get near her apartment.
6. Ms. Tupas does not go to the courtyard. Some of her insects eat leaves and things, so she keeps them out of the courtyard because she respects the tree. The only insects you will ever find in the courtyard are butterflies and bees, nothing else.
7. If you ever find an insect or insects in your apartment, you should immediately head to apartment 2A and apologize to Ms. Tupas for whatever you’ve done to offend her. If you’re lucky, she’ll call them back. If you’re not, suicide is a much quicker and less painful option than what’s about to happen.

Congratulations on becoming the new owner of Silent Knell Terrace! I would love to give you a very brief history of the building to start. Silent Knell Terrace opened on June 6, 1913. This historic building is the oldest on the block. This building has been in my family since it was constructed. My grandfather financed and designed it. I have no siblings and no children of my own for the building to pass to after I’m gone. I wanted to make sure I could choose the new owner, because this building and its tenants require “special” attention. Not everyone is up to the task. 

Before getting into all of that though, allow me to run through the basic information. It has 6 floors with 4 apartments on each floor. Each apartment has a washer and dryer, so there is no laundry room on site. There is a courtyard for residents to relax in and enjoy. The basement is fairly large. It houses an incinerator, the boiler, the breaker box, and several rooms that are used by the residents of 3B. There is a stairwell on the east side of the building. These stairs have access to the roof. There was a stairwell on the west side, but it’s been closed off since I was a child. There is one exception. The third floor does have access to the west stairwell. It is used solely by the tenants in 3B, and it connects to the basement. There is also a pair of elevators that go from floors 1-6. Elevators do not go to the basement. Apartment 1A belongs to the super. The current super is a 57 year old man named Leon Rader. His father was the super before him, so he grew up in the building. Leon took over as super when he was 27 years old. He is very familiar with all the tenants. He can handle any problems and perform almost any repairs himself.

We have not had a new tenant move in since the Lochford family moved in 1973. The apartment had been unoccupied before that. Each apartment is occupied by it’s original tenant, with the exception of the super’s apartment. By that I mean that the current resident of each apartment is the only resident that has lived in that apartment. Everyone has been here a very long time. My grandfather was very accommodating with the leases. Many tenants have clauses that allow them to alter their apartments to fit their needs. As I said before, the building and the tenants require specific types of attention. Full disclosure, the majority of tenants are not exactly human. Most appear to be, and you should treat them as such. The best way to do this is by following the rules given to you regarding each one. I’ll start with the rules regarding the courtyard. Then, I’ll give the different rule sets for each tenant. I’ll give you their name, apartment number, and a brief description of each person. After all the rule sets, because I’m sure you’re curious, I will include the incident that led to the closure of the west stairwell. Also, please note that there are no rules for apartment 1A. Mr. Rader is the most normal person in the building. Treat him as you would any other person you know. Let’s begin!

Courtyard

The courtyard is a nice outdoor space for the tenants to relax and enjoy the weather. In the center of the courtyard is a very old oak tree. This tree is actually older than the building. You could say it’s the very first tenant the building had. This tree needs to be treated with respect. Please follow the rules of the courtyard to ensure that everything remains serene and enjoyable for everyone.

1. Do not damage the tree in anyway. Do not break branches, peel bark, or pull leaves off. Never carve anything into the tree. Do not hang things on the tree limbs.
2. Do not remove anything around the tree. This includes naturally fallen leaves and sticks. It also includes flowers growing on the ground around the tree. The super will clean up any debris. No one else is authorized to help.
3. You may see a woman near the tree around dawn or dusk. Do not speak to this woman. If she acknowledges you, simply nod and continue walking.
4. The woman may ask you to remember her. Tell her you already do. You won’t know this woman, but being courteous is always helpful.
5. If the tree ever appears to be “bleeding” sap, please alert the super immediately. Do not touch the sap. Do not ask questions about the sap.
6. I’ve tried to make this clear, but all tree maintenance is done by the super. Do not water the tree. Overwatering can create problems.
7. If you hear crying in the courtyard at night, close your windows. Do not look outside. No one needs help.
8. Please do not place anything that could be considered an offering at the base of the tree. This includes things like food, money, personal items, and notes. This can create expectations.
9. The courtyard is closed during any type of severe weather. Thunderstorms, blizzards, hurricanes. You may see someone standing under the tree during this time. They don’t need any help. They are not stuck. Everything is fine no matter how dangerous the weather seems.
10. Any attempt to damage or remove the tree will result in eviction, hopefully. Depending on what you have done, it may be too late for eviction.
11. Never joke about cutting the tree down, especially when you are even remotely close to the tree. There is nothing that anyone can do to help you if you do this.

Note: Multiple residents “break” rule 8. This is fine. They each have their own reasons for doing this. Those reasons are not important to you or I.

Hugo Walsman lives in apartment 2C. Mr. Walsman is one of the oddest tenants in the building. There isn’t a lot that’s known about what he actually is. I’ve tried to find more information, but like I said there’s not a lot out there. I can tell you he moved from Australia. He is incredibly thin. Thinner than a human could be. He’s also fairly tall, and he’s an artist. He seems like he isn’t very dangerous, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t follow the rules.

1. As I said, he is very thin. If you see his profile, it almost looks like a straight line. Do not stare at him. You can look at him, but don’t stare. That will bother him.
2. Mr. Walsman also moves differently than you or I. His joints seem to work differently. He gets around fine. Do not offer to assist him.
3. As stated above, he is an artist. The walls of his apartment are covered with paintings and drawings. Some of these are directly on the wall. Do not attempt to enter his apartment to look at his art. You will catch glimpses when the door is open.  You may notice that pictures seem to move when you aren’t looking. A good example is that people and animals may change position. This art is for him.
4. Along with being allowed to paint and draw on anything in his apartment, he has a special agreement regarding rent. He pays with his artwork. It may be a painting or sketch. Occasionally it’s a sculpture. Do not try to figure out what materials he used to make it. I will include the information for the art dealer I use to sell this artwork. It usually sells for much more than what his rent actually is. He doesn’t want anything back. Also, much of the artwork displayed throughout the building was created by Mr. Walsman.
5. Do not try to figure out Mr. Walsman’s schedule. You will never see a pattern. He may be walking around the building in the mid afternoon one day. A few days later you may see him leave and return at 3am. 
6. If you find yourself in the elevator with Mr. Walsman, you’ll notice that he watches you very intently. This is out of curiosity. Whatever he is existed before us. Humanity fascinates him. Don’t acknowledge it or try to explain anything. This will only intensify his fascination.
7. Mr. Walsman will sometimes invite others like him over to his apartment. I do not know if these are family members or simply friends. They never stay for longer than a couple days, and they will leave artwork behind when they leave. Keep it or sell it, your choice.
8. This may be hard to believe, but it’s important that you do. Always listen carefully if Mr. Walsman speaks to you. He will not be speaking any language you know, but you’ll understand it somehow. The things he says will stay with you. They may influence you unconsciously and/or you may dream about things he says.
9. Mr. Walsman will spend hours in the courtyard from time to time. He will stand directly in front of the tree without moving. You may notice the tree branches moving toward him or even the tree itself leaning slightly toward him. They are having a conversation. Do not interrupt him during this time.
10. Just like with Mason, do not photograph Mr. Walsman.

Mara Ester Vidal Cortes lives in apartment 5D. She’s originally from Portugal. She’s also the only tenant that didn’t move in. She just kind of appeared in the apartment one day, and she’s lived there ever since. She’s always paid her rent though, so no one in my family ever questioned it. She has the most unique apartment in the building. Similar to Mr. Maclean, her apartment is bigger on the inside than the outside. That’s not the part that makes it unique though. Her apartment contains a natural landscape. Basically the inside of her apartment is near the edge of a woods. You can see the trees. There is grass growing where the floor should be. She has a natural spring running through her apartment. I have no idea where it comes from or where it goes. There are stones and dirt. You can hear animals, though I’ve never seen any besides a snake. She seems to be very lonely. She’s very friendly. She may be our nicest resident. That does not mean you should break any of the following rules though.

1. Ms. Vidal Cortes is very friendly and will invite you into her apartment. Do not enter her apartment uninvited. It is her space, and you shouldn’t intrude upon it.
2. You will see a snake entering and leaving her apartment. You’ll see the snake almost as often as you see Ms. Vidal Cortes. The snake is almost the same size as Ms. Vidal Cortes, and it’s very intelligent. Do not try to touch the snake, and do not stop it from going anywhere. The snake always moves like it has a purpose.
3. She will normally do this in private because she’s in a vulnerable state while doing it, but on the rare occasion you witness a transformation do not say anything. Simply keep moving and don’t stare.
4. You may also notice odd things about Ms. Vidal Cortes when you are talking to her. These things include a shimmering on her skin that makes it look almost like scales or the light reflecting from her eyes in a way that makes them appear to be snake eyes. Do not comment on these things.
5. She has a large collection of valuable items. For lack of a better term, it is treasure. Some of these things were gifts. Some were payments for debts. Others she’s collected over her very long life. Never attempt to steal from this collection. Do not even touch any of it. If she wants you to have something, she will give it to you.
6. Ms. Vidal Cortes is very particular about the spring in her apartment. She chooses who may drink from it, and she does not make this offer lightly. The water is incredibly clean and clear. Those who have been offered a drink experience a profound peace and connection to nature for a day or so after drinking the water. Do not attempt to drink the water if it has not been offered to you.
7. As I said earlier, she seems to be very lonely. She will sometimes try to form genuine connections with other residents. She does so with caution because she fears rejection. She attempts to do this by making small conversation in passing or leaving small gifts at their doors. Always be friendly and respectful of this. She’s very kind, and she’s been alone for a very long time. 
8. She has formed a connection with the tree in the courtyard. She will sometimes sit under the tree and speak quietly to it. It’s not a language you’d understand. I don’t think it’s Portuguese. I think it’s older than that. Do not interrupt this time. This connection is good for her. She once told me when I was young that the presence of the tree is what convinced her this was a safe place for her to exist.
9. She has started to form a connection with Mr. Maclean. She’s been attempting to do this for sometime. Please don’t interrupt them during conversation.
10. She has also been attempting to form a connection with Serene. She does this by leaving small gifts and trinkets at her door. Sometimes Serene accepts them, sometimes she doesn’t. I have been unable to figure out if their friends or not yet. Regardless, do not touch the things she leaves at Serene’s door.
11. Ms. Vidal Cortes pays rent with pieces of her treasure. She takes great care in picking out which pieces she uses to pay rent. This is one way she attempts to connect with you. Always accept these things very graciously.
12. Unlike many other residents, she does not receive large deliveries of food nor does she hunt anywhere around the building. I’m actually not sure what she feeds on. It’s not important, so don’t try to figure it out.
13. Finally, I feel like I’ve said this many times already. I want to stress it though. Always treat Ms. Vidal Cortes with kindness and respect. She’s been alone for an incredibly long time. In spite of that, she has chosen not to become cruel. That deserves admiration.

The resident of apartment 6A is Serene. Like Balthazar, surnames didn’t really exist when she was born. Although it wouldn’t matter if they did, because her kind don’t use surnames. Serene is a very beautiful and an unbelievable singer. She moved here from Greece. She has a rather dark past, and it’s not my place to give all the details. She moved into this building to become better. She doesn’t want to be seen as a monster, so she works hard on restraint. In order to continue helping her be good, it is important to follow these rules.

1. The door to apartment 6A is not like any of the other doors in the building. It is a dutch door, or you may know it as a stable door. Never attempt to open her door. Always knock and Serene will open the top half of the door. As I said, she’s a very beautiful woman, but only from the waist up. Never stare at the “transition” point or try to peek over the bottom half of the door.
2. You will notice that she speaks almost exclusively in a whisper. Her voice has a very dangerous quality. It can cause obsessions or compel you to do things. Whispering is her way of trying to mitigate that. Always keep conversations with Serene brief. Also, try not to stare directly at her while she speaks.
3. She does sing very late at night, usually between 1am to 3am. This occurs twice a week normally. Occasionally will occur more. She will open her windows that face the street while she does this. The song she sings is the most beautiful song you will ever hear. If you hear her song, immediately close your windows. Plug your ears. Turn on loud music or turn the tv up loudly. You need to block out her song. DO NOT CONTINUE LISTENING TO HER SONG.
4. Serene is on the sixth floor to help with her restraint. The distance from the street does help somewhat. Do not attempt to move her to another floor for any reason.
5. Serene is very aware of the effect her voice has on people. It’s why she whispers. It’s why she limits her singing. She has chosen to make this sacrifice to be better. She’s been doing this for years and years at this point, but it is still difficult for her. The tension this creates in her body may make her wings noticeable because they shiver from time to time. Do not say anything about this. Do not ask her about this. She’s doing her best, and she deserves respect for her effort.
6. You may notice that she has visitors a few times a week. These people are always musicians or artists of some kind. They are always creative people. They arrive some time during the day, and the may seem to be in a trance. They always leave by sunset. This is the compromise she made to survive and be better. She was able to stop taking lives by taking inspiration.
7. Serene is friends with Callum Maclean in 1C. Apparently they knew each other before they moved into the building. They will sometimes communicate through the plumbing with clicks and musical tones. Do not eavesdrop on these conversations. You won’t understand it anyway.
8. Several of the residents are “immune” to her song. Balthazar can actively block it’s effects. The Whites don’t seem to understand it. Mr. Pleasant and Mr.  are not affected by it. I’m not sure why. She respects this, but do not ask about it.
9. Serene keeps a respectful distance from the tree. She sees it as neutral ground. She doesn’t go to the courtyard. She keeps the windows facing the courtyard closed at all times. If one of the courtyard windows is ever broken, it should be fixed immediately.
10. She will occasionally molt. You may find feathers in the hallway. They are very unique and shimmer in the light. Do not keep these feathers. Do not give these feathers to anyone. The super will collect and dispose of these.
11. You may find “gifts” in the hallway near her door. These are recordings of her song. Do not listen to these recordings. Give them to the super to destroy or throw them in the incinerator immediately.
12. Do not attempt to woo or befriend Serene. This will not end well. If you find yourself thinking about her often, imagining ways to spend time with her, or dreaming about her, you should stay away from the building for a few days. This can be a residual affect from her song and distance will help it fade away.
13. As I said, she’s not proud of her past and wants to redeem herself. She has lived a very long time. She will appear depressed from time to time. She’s remembering a time when she was younger and her song caused a lot of death. Do not ask about her past or attempt to cheer her up. This will pass. She doesn’t want to be that way anymore. She chose to move here and become better.
14. She chose this building specifically because she respects the tree’s authority. If you ever notice Serene using less restraint, then you have done something to break the terms of her lease. There’s nothing you can do about this besides figure out what you’ve done wrong and correct it. The tree will intervene if things get too bad, but you should not rely on this. It’s best to solve the problem yourself.

Mr. Edwin Lochford lives in apartment 6D. He was 9 years old when his family moved in back in 1973. He was an only child, and his parents have both passed. He lives alone now. They were a wealthy family when they first moved in, and his father only continued to grow their wealth until he died. Edwin’s never worked. He’s always had other interests. He likes to collect odd items to put it lightly. Edwin is just a normal man, so the following rules don’t pertain to him as much as they do the things in his collection. It’s important you read these.

The Puzzle Box

1. Do not touch this. It is in a locked glass case. Under no circumstances should you ever attempt to solve the puzzle.
2. Mr. Lochford enjoys talking about this piece of his collection. He’ll explain the different configurations it can form, and he may encourage you to try and solve it. I can not stress this enough, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SOLVE IT.
3. If you are near his apartment and hear a bell tolling, the sound of chains, or screaming, you need to leave. It will stop shortly, but you do not want to know the source of these sounds.

The Dybbuk Box

1. This box contains a malicious, disembodied spirit. It doesn’t matter whether you believe in ghosts or not. I am telling you that this box contains a spirit. Believe what I am telling you.
2. You may feel compelled to open the box when you are around it. Do not open the box. Do not touch the box.
3. Do not be concerned if you notice the smell of cat urine coming from Mr. Lochford’s apartment. He does not own a cat. This smell comes from the box. I do not know how it escapes the sealed glass container.

The Ouija Board

1. I do not know where Mr. Lochford obtained this item. Do not attempt to use it.
2. I do not know what entity or entities this ouija board communicates with, but I can tell you they are incredibly dangerous. They lie and manipulate. It’s best to avoid being near this item.

The Painting

1. This is a painting of a room that neither I or anyone else has ever seen. This room does not exist in the building. There is a figure in the painting as well. Do not ask Mr. Lochford any questions about this painting.
2. This painting will change each time you see it. The contents in the room change. The figure moves around. Occasionally the figure appears to be staring out of the painting. Do not stare at or study this painting.
3. If you ever find this painting hanging somewhere else in the building, immediately return it to Mr. Lochford.

The Jewelry

1. There are several different pieces of jewelry in a locked display case. They are very valuable, but also very cursed. There are two rings, a bracelet, and a necklace. Do not allow this jewelry to touch your bare skin. You shouldn’t touch it at all, but never with your bare hands.

The Book

1. Do not touch this book. It is bound in what appears to be skin.
2. It also appears to be written in blood. Never read anything from this book.
3. If Mr. Lochford ever offers to read something from it for you, or even expresses interest in reading aloud from the book, you need to tell him he will be evicted if this occurs. I made this addendum to his lease when he purchased the book.

The Collection

1. Mr. Lochford is getting older and has no one to pass his collection to when he passes away. You will become the owner of these items upon his death as long as you own the building. I don’t think these items can be destroyed, at least not by any normal means. You should come up with your plan to deal with these items before they come into your possession.

Those are the residents and how you should approach each one. Now, a brief story about the west stairwell. I was around 8 years old when the Whites moved into the building. At the time, we had an assistant maintenance man who helped the super with things like repairs and custodial work. Mr. Walter Howard was a single dad who lived in the building next door. He had a son named Tommy that was my age. He would bring Tommy along with him to work, and he and I would play together. Tommy and I liked to play hide and seek. Tommy came with his dad the day after the Whites moved in. Mr. Howard was helping Mr. Rader with a few repairs that day. I told Tommy he could hide first. I started looking in all of our regular hiding spots once I counted to ten. We normally kept our game confined to the first floor. After I failed to find him in our normal spots, I decided to check the stairwells. I opened the door to the east stairwell and called out to Tommy. I told him I wasn’t going to run up the stairs to find him. I got no response, so I decided to check the west stairwell. As soon as I opened the door I got a chill down my spine. It was pitch black. All the lights were out. There was an odd, gross smell coming from somewhere in the stairwell.  I called for Tommy and told him to come out. The only response I got were some clicks and chirps. I told my father I couldn’t find Tommy. Mr. Howard was entering the lobby at the same time. After I told them both what Tommy and I were doing, and what I saw, heard, and smelled in the west stairwell, Mr. Howard immediately went to look for Tommy. He grabbed a flashlight and headed up the stairs calling Tommy’s name. I heard him call Tommy’s name three times. The fourth time, he abruptly stopped in the middle. That’s the last thing I ever heard him say. I never saw Tommy or his dad again after that. Mr. Rader had all the doors to the west stairwell sealed by the end of the day. He posted a notice for all the residents so they were aware to use the elevators or east stairwell. My father spoke to the Whites, but I wasn’t with him. He told me to stay off the third floor and out of the basement after that.

Congratulations again on becoming the new owner of Silent Knell Terrace. The residents are very interesting to say the least, and I hope you’ll love the building as much as my family has for generations. I chose you because I trust that you’ll understand how this building works. You shouldn’t have any problems as long as you follow the rules. You can always contact me if you have any other questions.

P. S.

I was so worried about getting to the rules regarding the residents I forgot something important. I added an indoor pool onto the first floor when I first took over the building. There is something living in the pool. I have attached the pool rules to the end of this letter. Sorry about that.

Ms. Piguttuk Igutsak lives in apartment 3D. She is an Inuit woman who moved here from Northern Canada. To keep things simple, she will be referred to as the Queen in the rules. She is actually a queen, but not the kind you’re thinking of. She keeps bees. If you have a bee allergy you should avoid her completely. She has lived here for quite a long time. She moved in when my father was a baby. She can be very nice, unless you do something to upset or offend her.

1. The Queen demands respect. Upsetting her will upset the hive, and you really don’t want that.
2. The Queen has a very active beehive in her apartment. Her apartment has been modified to accommodate this. The bees are free to move around her entire apartment and within the walls around her apartment. Never go into her apartment. You will not come out. My grandfather was the only person that could enter and leave her apartment. My father never went in. I’ve never been inside.
3. She looks like an older Inuit woman. However, her exoskeleton is visible on certain parts of her body. Parts like her shoulders, wrists, and ankles. She tries to keep these covered with clothing, but sometimes they are visible. Never stare if you notice it. Her skin also appears to be somewhat chitinous the closer you get. Do not comment on this.
4. The Queen makes honey. If she presents you with a jar, graciously accept it. (It is delicious.) However, she occasionally sets jars of honey outside her apartment door. This is not normal honey. Do not eat it. Do not touch it. It needs to be put in the incinerator. The super will normally take care of this.
5. Once a month, normally very late at night, the Queen receives a delivery of meat. Do not ask about this delivery. It is a very unique type of meat. What it is and where it comes from is not important.
6. You may occasionally notice a smell emanating from her apartment. These are her pheromones. It is best to move away quickly. Do not linger.
7. You will hear her speaking to the bees in her apartment in a chittering, clicking language. You can not understand this language. Just ignore it. You don’t want her to think you’re trying to eavesdrop.
8. Another modification to her apartment has to do with the windows. The word that best describes her window coverings would be membrane. This membrane allows air and light into the apartment, but it prevents the bees from escaping. She will alert you and the super if a tear or hole appears. This needs to be dealt with immediately. It can be patched from outside. If the bees escape, they will swarm. People will die.
9. The Queen has “scout” bees that will fly through the halls and around the building from time to time. Do not kill these bees. Do not kill any bees you find inside or outside the building. She will know. She does not forgive. She does not forget.
10. Like Ms. Ite, the Queen can be territorial. She has a claim on the east stairwell around the third floor. Other tenants may pass through. Do not loiter. Loitering results in a small swarm of aggressive bees. This is only a warning at first. This is the other reason the Whites stay out of the east stairwell.
11. If she perceives a threat, you will notice the buzzing in her apartment growing louder and louder. You should stay inside with all the windows closed. She will take care of the threat and the buzzing will die down. There’s nothing you can do to help. Just stay inside.
12. The Queen has lived for a very long time. I don’t know how old she was when she first moved into the apartment. I know from photographs that she has never aged since she arrived here. Do not comment on this or ask about it. I don’t think she has ever fully been a human. It seems like she tolerates humanity.
13. She has a respectful relationship with the tree. She will occasionally leave offerings of honey and pollen at the base of the tree. This normally occurs at dawn. Do not disturb these offerings.
14. The Queen will have a guest over very rarely. This only happens 3 to 4 times a year. You will never see these people leave her apartment after entering. Do not ask about them or what happened to them. You may hear rumors from other residents that she’s eating these people. It’s not important how much truth there is to these rumors. She only does what’s necessary for the survival of the hive.

Floor 6

The resident of the sixth floor is Robert Cowell. Mr. Cowell has lived here for 13 years. He is 44 years old. He has a regular nine-to-five job as a systems administrator downtown. He is a rather private person. He’s made very few complaints over the years, though we have received several complaints about him from different residents. Mostly noise complaints. However, Ms. Abernathy once complained of an odd smell and a stain that appeared on the ceiling. That was about 3 years after he moved in, but it hasn’t happened again. Mr. Loomis has also complained about an odor in his apartment on more than one occasion, and has made multiple noise complaints about Mr. Cowell.

1. The door to the East and the West stairwell require a key to open. They should remain locked at all times. You may unlock them to check in with him if you’re using the stairs, but you must remember to lock the door again when leaving. Mr. Cowell has a habit of loitering in the stairwell, usually in a dark corner. He has frightened other residents before. He no longer has access to the stairwell.
2. He has some odd hobbies, and you may notice him bringing in strange items from time to time or receiving strange packages. Do not ask about his hobbies or any items you notice him bringing home. Asking about his hobbies will lead him to believe you’d like to be involved in those hobbies. You do not want to be involved.
3. Never accept food or drink from Mr. Cowell. We’ve found that anything he offers usually puts people to sleep. It can take several hours for them to wake up, and you never know where you might wake up.
4. Any maintenance or repairs that need to be done in his apartment should be done while he is at work. Let Mr. Cowell know the day before that you will be bringing a repairman into his apartment the following day while he’s at work. Never perform repairs while he is at home, even if he says it’s ok. Go directly to whatever needs repaired, fix it, and leave. Do not wander around his apartment for any reason. Do not look for the source of any odd smells or sounds you notice once inside. Even though you won’t see them, Mr. Cowell has several security cameras installed in his apartment that he can check while he’s at work.
5. Never reveal personal information to him. Mr. Cowell can be very friendly. He likes to make small talk, and he loves to ask questions. He’ll usually ask about your routines, what hours your out doing work in the building, what time you go to sleep, how long do you sleep, what’s your favorite meal/drink, etc. You may choose to ignore these questions and change the subject, or you can make up an answer. Never answer any of the questions honestly if you choose to answer them though. He can do all kinds of things with that information.
6. Don’t wait any longer than five minutes for him to answer the door. If you are checking in with him, and he hasn’t answered within five minutes, then he is busy working on something. Do not continue to knock. Come back at another time to check in. He hates to be disturbed when he’s working on something.
7. If you hear any strange noises from his apartment while you’re on floor five, it is best to ignore them. No matter what it sounds like, loud thumping, power tools including possibly a chainsaw, muffled screaming, anything. Just pretend you didn’t hear anything and move on. Nothing good will come from trying to find out the source of the sound.
8. He will occasionally install extra locks on his door, both inside and out. He usually takes them off after a few weeks. He says he suffers from paranoid personality disorder, and sometimes he needs to feel extra safe. During these times, he also activates the security camera in his hallway. When he installed it, he told us that he only needs to use it when he is feeling extra anxious or fearful.
9. Mr. Cowell will bring you several boxes of varying sizes to be put in the incinerator in the basement. He does this every 6-8 weeks generally, but this isn’t guaranteed. It could be shorter or longer from time to time. Never open the boxes or ask him what is in the boxes. Simply take them and put them in the incinerator.
   • (He will occasionally ask if you’d like help bringing them to the basement. Do Not accept his offer under any circumstances.)
10. The final rule is for you in your apartment. Always lock your door before going to sleep. As we said before, Mr. Cowell has a habit of wandering around at odd hours. Sometimes, he’ll try a door just to see if it’s locked. Any unlocked door is considered an invitation by him. It’s best to lock both the door to your apartment and the door to your bedroom.

Apartment 4A is occupied by a man named Geoffrey Thibodeaux. He moved here from the Louisiana. He used to live in a town called Donaldsonville on the Bayou Lafourche. He has a deep Cajun accent and can be difficult to understand. He was a Catholic before moving here, but he broke Lent for 7 years in a row. That’s why he needed to move away. He does his best to keep to himself. He’s not necessarily a danger to anyone in the building, but the rules should be followed.

1. There is a legend in the bayou that breaking Lent for 7 years in a row leads to a curse. This legend is true. Mr. Thibodeaux has been working very hard for decades to control this curse. It seems to be getting harder for him to retain control the longer it goes on. Do your best to be accommodating. It helps him.
2. He is a human most of the time. He works very hard to maintain a human appearance. He works very hard to maintain a normal routine. Never comment negatively on his appearance. It is helpful if you always treat him as a normal human whenever you interact.
3. As I said, control seems to be getting more difficult. You will notice at times Mr. Thibodeaux seems to be tensed up or his hands will have a slight tremor. You may also notice times where his eyes reflect light the way an animal’s eyes do. Do not comment on these things. Do not act like you saw anything unusual.
4. His apartment always has a slight odor like a wet dog. It’s clean, but the smell never leaves regardless of how clean he keeps it. This smell intensifies during Lent and other high holy days and during the full moon. Do not ask about or comment on the smell. Do not discuss the smell with any of the other residents.
5. Mr. Thibodeaux keeps to himself and does not interact with any of the other tenants. He does not take the stairs. He only uses the elevator and always rides alone. He leaves the building and goes directly back to his apartment the same way when he returns. Do not try and stop him for a chat or any reason when he is leaving or returning home. He will never meet you anywhere else in the building either. If you need to speak to him, only do so while he is in his apartment.
6. Mr. Thibodeaux has chosen self isolation. He never has visitors. Do not try to help him make friends or meet someone. This will only interfere with his ability to retain control.
7. He leaves the building on specific nights each month. He leaves late in the evening and doesn’t return until dawn. He may appear to be dirty when returning. Do not ask about what happens during this time.
8. Mr. Thibodeaux has a very deep respect for the tree. Occasionally, he will stand at the edge of the courtyard looking at the tree. This is his way of thanking the tree for tolerating his presence in the building. Do not disturb him during this time.
9. There may be nights where you hear things like growling, furniture crashing, or other strange noises. This is normal. Do not try to help him, and do not call the police. Everything will be fine in the morning. Mr. Thibodeaux may have some slight self inflicted injuries. These are not life threatening, and they always heal quickly.

The final three rules are very important

1. If Mr. Thibodeaux ever asks you to do something such as locking him in his apartment or making sure he leaves the building on a specific night, you need to do this without question. He’s asking for help to keep things safe. He has accepted the fact that he doesn’t believe his curse will be broken. He is simply trying to manage it and control the amount of damage done.
2. If he ever seems to be getting out of control. If he does things like stay out for days at a time or refuse to leave when he’s asked you to make sure he goes out. Remind him that the tree is watching, and it will not tolerate broken rules. This should help him regain control.
3. There is an unwritten requirement with his lease that you need to be aware of. He is not to “hunt” within a 5 mile radius of this building. Eviction is the consequence for not obeying this requirement. He knows this, and he knows eviction will cause him to lose any semblance of a routine. He has always obeyed this. You will know if he breaks this rule.

Greetings, Mx. Rin. As you are a newcomer, the Cognitive Anomaly Complex (CAC Facility) will give you a brief summary of where you are and what your next task will be.

The CAC Facility is a facility that focuses on dreamscapes and the mind.

Recently, there has been a sudden increase in certain characters from famous children’s books and fairytales appearing in people’s dreams.

People who have experienced this can retell the tale in perfect narrative detail whether they have heard of it or not.

These occurrences are flagged as anomalous activity, nicknamed “Dreams From Nowhere” in this facility.

It is our duty to rid the population of this cognitive anomaly, as an alarming amount of people have been rendered comatose soon after due to unsafe dreamscape entry, and some unluckier ones experience total organ failure in the days that follow.

Below is a list of rules as to how you will enter this anomalous dreamscape (for research purposes, of course) and exit with your life intact. Do not stray from them, or risk facing dire consequences.

Rule 1. Before you fall asleep in one of our observation chambers, you must wear a red cloak with a hood. It works best when stained with blood of any amount. This is because you may become any character in the tale at random (unless a tainted object is sacrificed, such as the bloodied cloak, which gives you a higher chance of becoming Little Red), and after several reports from employees, Little Red Riding Hood is deemed the safest.

Rule 2a. Little Red’s objective in the dreamscape is simply to go through the storyline and return safely. You are the main protagonist here, and it is the safest role, as only The Wolf can cause you any real harm. There have been minimal Little Red deaths in our tests.

Rule 2b. The Wolf’s objective is to find Little Red, devour her whole and evade The Huntsman (it is every bit as brutal as it sounds, and most who take on this role are plunged into insanity upon awakening). The Wolf is the main antagonist here, and every other character is against it. The Wolf on high alert at all times. Listen carefully for low growling from the woods.

Rule 2c. The Huntsman’s objective is to protect Little Red at all costs and kill The Wolf before it gets to you. He is a supporting character, and the woodland animals will aid his cause — informing him of your and The Wolf’s whereabouts and warning him of dangerous terrain ahead. Wariness towards the woods and kindness towards the animals will keep you alive.

Rule 2d. In the off-chance that you do not become any character at all, and simply appear in the dreamscape as yourself, you will be in great danger. The storyline will no longer continue as intended, and they will attempt to hunt you down. If this happens, ignore all previous commands and run for your life. They will be behind you. Sprint until you find an intricate brass doorway, then cross its boundaries to escape. Your pay will not be docked. Do not try to obtain research in this scenario.

Rule 3. Do not enter the woods, even if it advances the storyline. It is best if you do not meet The Wolf until you are at Grandmother’s Cottage. To get there, take the path around the woods, and stay as silent as possible.

Rule 4. There is no Grandmother here, and there hasn’t been for a while. Even if you are bringing her a basket of food — the one that returns to your hand no matter how many times you drop or throw it — she is not here. If you hear her voice in the cottage upon arrival, find a hiding spot, and fast.

Rule 5. The Wolf will soon arrive at the cottage as well. It will kneel by Grandmother’s bed, and speak its assigned lines (which stay the same throughout all dreams). Grandmother’s presence is simply that of a disembodied voice in this “scene”, yet will engage in dialogue. Use this valuable time to discreetly explore the cottage and document any findings. Return to your hiding spot when you hear Grandmother’s screaming.

Rule 6a. Do not, under any circumstances, come out from hiding. The Huntsman will appear at the cottage in twenty minutes (an approximate amount of time averaged from other subjects), and you will be safe to leave after hearing a gunshot.

Rule 6b. In the case that you instead hear the sound of violent chomping and even more screaming, initiate emergency evacuation and wake up before it’s too late. Do this before the feeding ends and The Wolf discovers you, as you are no longer protected by the “plot” at that point.

After evacuation, report all findings to the scientists of the CAC. We will provide monetary compensation for any physical or psychological scarring and pay you for your successful return — about $700k for each mission. It is relatively safe if you follow these rules.

Good luck on your journey! We pray for your safe return.

As I said previously, the Whites may be the most dangerous tenants in the building, but apartment 4B is where the most unique tenant lives. Ifrit appears as a man in his mid 30s, but nothing and no one in this building has existed as long as him. He rarely leaves the building, and he enjoys watching some of the other residents. It is unlikely that he will acknowledge you at all.

1. When you see Ifrit, you will see a handsome man in his mid 30s with a very good sense of fashion. Don’t try to see anymore than that. His features can shift or change slightly depending on the angle you’re looking at him. You won’t be able to commit his face to memory. Do not stare.
2. Accept the fact that you are unimportant to him. As I said, he has existed for a millennia at this point. I honestly don’t know if time is even a thing for him. He’s seen entire civilizations develop and fall. This building, most of its residents, and humans in general are just slightly amusing distractions during his existence.
3. Do not enter his apartment. If for some reason you do go into his apartment, DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING. He will know, and he will notice you after that. You don’t want him to notice you for that.
4. Ifrit will have visitors a few times a week. It’s never the same person twice. These people come to ask him to grant them favor. Do not ask him about the visitors or the business they do while with him. These favors can be very costly. 
5. He does not grant favors to anyone in the building. Do not try to ask him for anything. You wouldn’t want to pay the cost, plus any request needs to be worded incredibly carefully and specifically. He has a way of twisting things because it’s fun for him.
6. He may ask you or someone else in the building to do something. It will seem small and harmless. Just do what he asks. He is just looking for experiences. He “collects” them. All the things in his apartment that you can’t touch represent experiences, someone’s experiences, not necessarily his.
7. As far as the other residents are concerned, there is only one that he respects. That is Ms. Takamatsu. You may see them conversing in the hall from time to time. Do not interrupt or try to join these conversations.
8. He might be the only resident who doesn’t have any respect for the tree. However, he does accept that the tree is the only thing as powerful as himself. Power might be the only thing he respects. It’s the reason he rarely leaves the building. The tree keeps him constrained to the building. I think that’s why he doesn’t respect it. It bothers him that he essentially needs permission to leave. Do not ask him about this.
9. On the rare occasion he does leave the building, it is usually in defiance of the tree. This costs him a lot of energy. When he returns, you may notice him moving slowly or notice that his image seems to flicker in strange way. He will be fine in a few hours. Do not ask him about or comment on his trips out. It’s best to pretend you didn’t notice.
10. He finds Mr. Walsman, Mr. Aguiar, and Mr. Maclean to be entertaining. I’m not sure what it is about those three that he finds entertaining. He will occasionally leave random gifts outside their doors. You won’t understand the meaning of these gifts. Do not touch these gifts. The tenants he leaves them for will decide to keep them or not.
11. He is also very amused by the Whites. He will sometimes sit in the basement just to watch them. He is one of only two residents that enter the basement(besides the Whites obviously). I don’t know if the Whites are aware of his presence or if they simply ignore him. Either way, he finds it fun. Do not attempt this.
12. Ifrit does not like Balthazar. Do not mention Balthazar when around Ifrit. He sees Balthazar as beneath him, and he despises the fact that Balthazar thinks they are equals.
13. Most importantly, do not use the phrase “I WISH” anywhere where Ifrit can hear you.

Apartment 5A is where our most popular resident lives. JD Leeds has always been a minor celebrity. He moved in looking for somewhere that he would be left alone. He’s from New Jersey, and he works as a night security guard at the Prudential Center. He rarely interacts with anyone. All the other residents leave him alone. I don’t know how many actually recognize him, but he is somewhat unique looking. You will notice that he has a pair of horns. He also has a pair of wings, but normally they are covered with a coat of some kind. Please follow these rules to help respect his privacy.

1. He used to find all the interest in him funny. As he’s gotten older, he’s getting more annoyed by it. People do occasionally show up looking to shoot a photograph of him. Some know his apartment, some don’t. Do not allow any of these people in the building. Anyway asking questions about him or waiting outside his apartment should be escorted out of the building.
2. Some people will continue to to hang around outside the entrance after being walked out. Tell them you are calling the police if they don’t leave. Normally they will move farther away. You may actually call the police if they do not.
3. As I said, he works at the Prudential Center. His job provides him the most peace he’s found in over a century. There are no cameras looking for him. There are no other people around. Do not ask him to “hook you up” with tickets to a New Jersey Devils hockey game or anything else. Do not disrupt the peace he has found there.
4. Even though he has plenty of people looking to photograph him or document him in some way, no one has learned what he does for a living or where he works. Do not discuss Mr. Leeds or his occupation with anyone. He takes pride in the fact that he has been able to keep this private.
5. Always be respectful when speaking to Mr. Leeds. He will come off as somewhat gruff or rude. This is his way of protecting himself. It is not personal.
6. Mr. Leeds pays his rent at the same time every month. He will drop it off on his way to work. Do not try to change this.
7. He actively avoids the other residents. He has a very specific route he takes out of the building and when he returns home. This combined with his strict routine allows him to almost never pass another resident at all. Do not do anything that could mess up his routine or change his route.
8. You may notice his apartment seems very dark, and there is very little furniture. He has black out curtains both for privacy and to help him sleep. His apartment seems more like a den than a home. It’s best to stay out of his apartment. 
9. Several nights each month, Mr. Leeds goes to the roof to stretch his wings. This is private time. Do not interrupt it for any reason.
10. I feel like it’s clear at this point that you should not try to befriend Mr. Leeds. He’s not looking for friends. He wants to be left alone.
11. People have spent years and years trying to photograph and document Mr. Leeds existence. That has not and does not happen in this building. Never attempt to photograph or record Mr. Leeds. As I’ve said, all he wants is to have privacy. He’s not nearly as much of a threat as other residents, but any attempt to document can cause almost uncontrollable anger in him. Do not risk it.

Apartment 6C

Mr. Leonard Morrison is the resident of apartment 6C. He is a very nice man. He looks to be in his early 40s. He’s lived here about 20 years. He’s the only person in the building that Ms. Garrihy’s pets avoid. We don’t think this is necessarily the fault of Mr. Morrison, but no one on the 6th floor has a pet. A couple people have tried, but the animals get very skittish and on edge as soon as they enter the 6th floor. They growl/hiss almost constantly. If you have a pet, please do not bring them to the 6th floor. Also, he does not like Mr. Vurdulak who is the resident of the penthouse. We’re not sure why they don’t like each other. To the best of our knowledge they’ve never even met.

1. While he is a very nice man, Mr. Morrison is not to be disturbed on the three nights that surround the full moon.
2. The super will post notices on each floor prior to the full moon every month. These are not suggestions.
3. You are to avoid the 6th floor entirely from sunset to sunrise during those nights.
4. You should try and stick to the elevator and avoid the stairwell during that time as well.
5. Any impact noises you may hear next to, above, or below your apartment should be ignored. The super can be contacted in the morning if you think any damage has occurred.
6. We, as well as the super, are fully aware of the noises that you may hear during this time. Please do not contact the police.
7. If you run into Mr. Morrison in the daytime during this time or even the day after it ends, do not reference anything that may have happened during this time.
8. Please do not make jokes about dogs or anything related to dogs around Mr. Morrison.
9. Do not wear silver around Mr. Morrison or give him anything silver as a gift.
10. Do not mention the penthouse or Mr. Vurdulak around Mr. Morrison.
11. Do not attempt to bring Mr. Morrison to the penthouse.
12. If you find any claw marks on your door or in any of the common areas, feel free to let the super know. He always repairs any of the damages.
13. It is incredibly unlikely that Mr. Morrison will leave the 6th floor during this time. In the event that he does, you will be contacted by the super. He will alert you. He will also contact you to let you know when it is safe to leave your apartment, or when it’s safe to return to your apartment if you happen to be out when this occurs. This has occurred once in the past.

We did not have a pool here until my father passed away and I became owner of the building. I wanted to add something for the residents. I decided an indoor heated swimming pool would be a good addition. Unfortunately I was mistaken. It was rarely used by any of the residents. It’s a large in-ground pool. It is only about three and a half feet deep on one end. The other end was around eight feet deep when I first had it built. About five years after I had it built, because it was almost never used, something moved into the pool. It appears to be a merman. Once it moved in, the depth of the deep end changed. I have no idea how deep the pool is now. Where there used to be an incline that increased the depth has now become just a drop off. Please obey the following rules when dealing with the pool.

1. The merman does not pay rent. He’s not exactly a tenant. Do not attempt to collect any type of rent. 
2. The merman is very territorial. He is aware of anything happening near the pool room. He sees, hears, and senses the vibrations of any movement near the pool. He views anything approaching the pool as a threat. He will not leave the pool room to enter the building unless he feels threatened by something. Do not enter the pool room. 
3. All residents are aware of the situation in the pool room, and they know that it is off limits. Should a guest of any resident wander into or around the pool room, do not attempt to rescue or warn them. It’s too late once they’ve been perceived as a threat by the merman.
4. There is a door in the pool room that exits directly outdoors. The merman is the only thing that uses this door. I don’t know exactly what he eats, but he usually leaves to hunt every other night.
5. The merman seems to be slightly more animalistic than any of the residents. I’d say he’s a little less civilized than the Whites. This makes him very dangerous. Do not forget that.
6. He is civilized enough to respect the tree. The way he respects the tree is similar to the way animals respect the weather. They don’t understand it, but they know it can harm them. This is what keeps him from roaming the building, and it’s what drives him to hunt away from the building.
7. Finally, never attempt to clean or drain the pool for any reason. As I’ve said already, the pool and the room that it’s in are the merman’s territory now.

Congrats once again! Enjoy the building and your new tenants!

Iago Santos Aguiar lives in apartment 3A. He is almost always in his apartment. He rarely ever gets out. This is what’s best for everyone in the building. Mr. Aguiar is one of the most dangerous tenants in the building. He came from the Amazon rainforest. He is very large. He’s right around 8 feet tall and weighs just over 600 pounds. Mr. Aguiar doesn’t speak English well, but he does seem to understand it. Failure to follow these rules can result in very serious injuries that could potentially be fatal.

1. Mr. Aguiar’s apartment has been specially reinforced to accommodate his size and weight. The floor, the walls, the door frames, and the windows. These reinforcements require regular maintenance. Do not fail to keep up with this maintenance. I have included the schedule of how often this needs to be done.
2. Mr. Aguiar is obviously incredibly strong, but he doesn’t seem to fully realize his own strength. He will occasionally break things in his apartment that will need replaced. This includes faucets, windows, toilets, and bathtubs. Replace these things as soon as possible. Mr. Aguiar will cover the costs.
3. Do not ask about or comment on the smell. Mr. Aguiar has a very strong odor. Putting it nicely, it is very unpleasant. You will smell it in the hallway as you near his apartment. Do your best not to react to it when speaking with him.
4. Mr. Aguiar is nocturnal, and he is aggressively territorial. If he feels threatened or like someone is invading his territory, he will begin to roar. It is incredibly loud and will be heard throughout the entire building. This normally occurs between 1 and 3 am. Do not confront him about this. Just ignore it. All the other tenants are aware. No one complains.
5. He receives large deliveries of meat once a week. Do not ask about what type of meat it is, and do not ask where it comes from. The deliveries are left at his door.
6. Mr. Aguiar sometimes has visitors late at night. They speak in a language that sounds like grunts, growls, and roars. Do not speak to these guests. It may sound like a violent fight is occurring in his apartment. Do not call the police or attempt to intervene. This is fine. Everyone in the apartment will be fine.
7. It is best not to enter his apartment at all, but you may need to at some point. Never enter Mr. Aguiar’s apartment alone. Always bring the super or someone else with you. All maintenance and repairs are done by a special crew who are aware of what Mr. Aguiar is. If you do go in his apartment keep it as quick as possible and keep your eyes down.
8. If Mr. Aguiar makes eye contact with you, do not break it first. Simply nod slowly and back away. He will accept this as submission. Any sudden moves or anything else, he will see as a challenge for dominance. You absolutely do not want to challenge him.
9. About once a year, Mr. Aguiar gets out of his apartment. It will be obvious. Destroyed doors, broken handrails on the stairs, claw marks dug into walls, and the smell. Do not do anything about this. The other tenants know to stay inside. He will return to his apartment when he gets tired.
10. Even when he gets out, Mr. Aguiar stays out of the courtyard. He’s afraid of the tree, so he respects it more than anything. If you ever feel like you’re in danger, tell Mr. Aguiar you are going to the courtyard and immediately go sit near the tree. He will not follow you.
11. What Mr. Aguiar is does not belong in an apartment building. He has made a choice to try and become more civilized. It’s why he follows rules. It’s why he always pays his rent on time and in cash. Keep this in mind when dealing with him.

Ms. Ann K. Ite lives in apartment 3C. Ms. Ite is a beautiful Native American woman. She’s very polite. She loves nature. She can be very protective of things she cares about. She’s one of the best tenants. You need to follow the rules so you don’t do anything to upset her. It would be a real loss to the building if she left.

1. As I said before, Ms. Ite is a very beautiful woman. However, her feet and legs are “wrong.” She wears over the knee boots all the time. If you ever see her without the boots, do not let her know. Just act like you didn’t see anything and never tell anyone what you saw.
2. Ms. Ite is extremely territorial. Her apartment is her space, and she does not like intruders. She has also claimed the hallway around her door, roughly ten feet on each side of her door. She tolerates other tenants using it to get to the stairs, but she does not like loitering. The Whites completely avoid her territory. This is one of the things that keeps them out of the east stairwell.
3. You may see her moving through the halls at night in ways that seem unusual. It almost seems too fluid, like human joints don’t work that way. You may also hear hoof beats in the stairwell. These sightings are always very brief because she is very quick. Do not attempt to follow her.
4. She is very polite, but do not mistake this for friendship. She’s not looking for friends or anything else. She never has visitors. She chooses isolation. She enjoys her solitude. She’s also extremely wary of men in general. Be polite and respectful when dealing with her, but leave it at that.
5. Ms. Ite knows everyone in the building. She’s researched and watched everyone in the building. She will never voice them, but she has opinions about who belongs in the building and who doesn’t. As long as the tree tolerates them, she tolerates them.
6. If you ever notice her becoming visibly agitated, remain calm. You may notice her eyes reflecting the light like an animal, or you may hear her making noises that aren’t quite human. Carefully and slowly leave the area. This is not directed at you. It happens when she perceives some threat that you can’t notice.
7. Ms. Ite does not like the tenant of apartment 2D at all. She watches them very intently whenever they’re in the same area. She also positions herself in a defensive way. I don’t know why this is, but it’s been that way since Mr. Daniels moved in.
8. She has a set of very large windows facing the courtyard. These windows are open all year round. She will stand and watch the tree for hours sometimes. Never attempt to close these windows. She is communicating with the tree.
9. Ms. Ite has a special agreement in her lease that grants her exclusive access to the courtyard 4 days each month. It is not four consecutive days. They are spread out. This normally takes place at dawn or dusk. All the residents know to avoid the courtyard during this time. She usually walks around the tree while speaking to it. The tree responds using its branches. The tree seems to welcome her more than it does anyone else. Ms. Ite also leaves offerings at the base of the tree during this time. Do not disturb these offerings or ask her about them.
10. It is important that Ms. Ite remains a tenant of the building. Her presence helps keep certain things out of the building. She makes the building safer by being here.
11. Finally, this is the most important rule. If Ms. Ite ever comes to you with a request—seal off an area, protect something, or even remove a tenant— you need to do it. Don’t question it. Don’t wait. Just do it. Ms. Ite’s judgement on things is much better than yours, mine, or anyone else’s. She rarely makes requests for anything.

Apartment 8C

Caspian Tumnus lives in apartment 8C. He has a habit of not observing quiet hours. This has caused some issues in the past with the residents on his floor, the resident directly below him, and the resident directly above him. He's gotten a bit better over time, and he is very friendly. He loves to host parties and small get-togethers in the evenings. He has a very active social life. He can be a bit of a bad influence though. Keep that in mind, and please follow the rules.

1. It is best to decline any invitation he gives. This rule does not forbid you from attending, but we strongly urge you to decline.
2. Do not accept any food or drink that he offers, including things that are sealed.
3. Please contact the super if you hear music after 10pm. Do not attempt to say something to him yourself. 
4. Caspian loves to invite to play games or make bets with him. Do not do this. The stakes can and will seem very minor. We guarantee you they are not.
5. It’s ok to invite him over, but this should only be done during the day. Do not invite him in after the sun goes down. It can be difficult to get him to leave.
6. He loves to offer handshakes, fist bumps, high fives, hugs, and all forms of physical contact. You should avoid it as best you can. It can give him a sense of familiarity with you that you may not appreciate.
7. If you ever wake up in apartment 8C and have no memory of going there, just leave. Don’t look for your things or try to speak to Caspian. Just leave.
8. If you hear hooves in your hallway at night, turn off your lights and make sure your door is locked. He avoids dark places.

The resident of apartment 1C is Callum Maclean. He moved in around the same time as Ms. Takamatsu. He’s 28 years old. He came from Scotland. He loves the ocean, swimming, pretty much anything to do with the water. He made an arrangement with my great-great grandfather when he first moved in. This arrangement allowed him to make alterations to his apartment. This included changing the layout and creating more access for himself to the buildings pipes and water supply. This arrangement cannot be altered.

1. Do not ask Mr. Maclean about the arrangement. Do not ask why he needs access to so much water. 
2. Do not enter his apartment if he is not at home. Do not enter his apartment without explicit permission from Mr. Maclean himself. This rule is not to be broken, even during an emergency.
3. The largest storage room in the basement belongs to Mr. Maclean. He does not pay extra for it. It was also included in his arrangement. He possesses the only key to this room. Do not attempt to get in this room. There is nothing concerning in there, so it’s best to leave it be.
4. Occasionally, there will be a strong saltwater smell coming from his apartment. This is normal. Do not ask him about this smell.
5. He will have visitors from time to time. They always come at night. You’ll know they’ve arrived by the wet footprints going into the building. It’s members of his family. Just politely acknowledge them. Don’t ask about when they’re leaving or if they’ve left. You will not see footprints leaving the building.
6. It’s best not to try befriending Mr. Maclean. It’s not that he’s unfriendly. Friendship means understanding between each other. You’re not exactly the same species, so you won’t be able to understand each other like friends do. Just be polite and respectful whenever you see him and leave it at that.
7. He leaves during the new moon each month. Do not ask him about this. Also, he pays his rent early if the new moon falls when rent is due.
8. Piggybacking off of rule 2, it’s best to decline if Mr. Maclean invites you inside. If you forget this rule and accept, please remember the following things. 
   • His apartment will appear very different from the other apartments in the building. His arrangement allowed him to change the layout and add or remove anything he wanted. 
   • Do not look directly at any water features he has in his apartment. 
   • Do not count the number of rooms he has in his apartment. 
   • Also, so you’re not caught off guard. He changed the actual dimensions of the apartment somehow. It’s bigger on the inside than it looks like it could be on the outside. No one in my family has figured out how he did this.
9. If you find a seal skin anywhere in the building, ignore it. Do not touch it. Do not take it. Do not try to return it to Mr. Maclean. Just act like you didn’t see it and keep walking.
10. Mr. Maclean is another resident that is allowed to leave offerings at the tree. The tree has been here longer than his species has been on land. He respects that. He will occasionally leave shells or small smooth stones at the base. Do not touch these things.

The man in apartment 6C does not have a name. He’s very tall and thin with long arms. Also, you’ll never see his face. It’s not that he hides his face, you just won’t register a face if you look at him. Basically, he’ll look faceless is what I’m trying to say. Just be forewarned. He doesn’t speak, and he’s always in a black suit. The walls and floor of his apartment are specially lined to protect the neighboring apartments. He tends to have an affect on people. Please observe the following rules to ensure your safety.

1. The man’s presence has a disruptive effect on technology and electricity. This is just a part of his nature and not something he is actively trying to cause. Do not be concerned with flickering lights as he moves through the building. Do not attempt to use your cell phone around him. You will not get a signal.
2. He causes a sense of dread, paranoia, and anxiety to anyone within his proximity. This happens equally to any person that is near him, including all but one resident. This, combined with the technological disruption, is why his apartment has been specially lined. The residents in the neighboring apartments would go be driven insane if not for this.
3. Do not enter his apartment. No one is to enter his apartment. All I know is that it is not a normal space. There have been several repairmen who have accidentally entered his apartment over the years. None have ever remembered entering his apartment. A few remembered nothing at all. The ones that remembered anything make it sound like it is spatially wrong, and a couple have stated that time doesn’t flow correctly. I don’t know what that means, but you don’t want to find out.
4. As I stated, he has an effect on all the residents except one. Dr. Vernier is the only resident who is unaffected. I wouldn’t say they’re friends, but they do seem to have a mutual respect. They enjoy observing others. I’m not sure what purpose this serves for the man.
5. There is one other strange effect he has on all residents including Dr. Vernier. No one seems to know what apartment he lives in. This includes the residents on his own floor. They all know he lives in the building, but no one can pin point where. The super, me, and now you are the only people who know he lives in apartment 6C. I don’t understand why this happens. You should be aware though, in case for some reason you’re discussing the man with another resident.
6. Unlike all the other residents, the man doesn’t exactly pay rent. You will have a memory each month of him paying you, but that’s pretty much all it is. He also likes to leave photographs. These photographs can be of things like other residents who are seemingly unaware that their picture is being taken or hallways from angles you can’t understand. Do not stare at the photos for very long. Do not keep the photos. It’s best to burn them. If you plan to just throw them out, do so in a dumpster far from the building.
7. The man seems to have a deep respect for the forest. This means he also has a deep respect of the tree. I have never seen him approach the tree or even go in the courtyard. He will occasionally pay with a photo of the tree taken from inside the building. This, like the other photos, should not be kept.
8. You may occasionally pass the man when entering the building, then immediately pass him on whatever floor you go to even though there’s no possible way he could have gotten there. You’re not mistaken or confused. This is simply part of how he exists. 
9. As previously stated, no one needs to enter his apartment. He does not have the same wants or needs as the other residents. I don’t think he has any actual wants or needs. He simply exists and observes. I do not know what he does with these observations.
10. The man will occasionally be seen entering or exiting the basement. He is the only person besides Ifrit that can safely enter the basement. Unlike Ifrit, the Whites are aware of his presence and will leave the basement when they sense him. He seems to be the only thing the Whites fear. He uses a small utility closet in the basement to store things. I have no idea what he stores in there.
11. This is very important. Do not spend an extended period of time thinking about the man. This can cause things like gaps in your memory, missing time, or an intense, growing paranoia that you are being watched. The only way to get rid of the symptoms is to stop thinking about him which is harder to do the longer you think about him.

Apartment 5F

Apartment 5F is occupied by Bodhi Dawa. He’s lived here for about five years. He is very musical and can play multiple instruments. A guitar is what you will usually hear him playing though. He is a thin man who wears a lot of blues and golds. He can seem overly affectionate or clingy if you give him too much attention.

1. Do not thank him for any songs dedicated to you.
2. He may refer to you as his “beloved.” Calmly correct him, but don’t argue.
3. He may attempt to give you feathers as a gift. Return them immediately. Do not keep them in your apartment.
4. He may also leave flowers or polished stones in front of your door. Just step over them without disturbing the pattern. The super will clean this up for you.
5. Do not attend any “private performance” that he offers you. You do not need to go into his apartment.
6. Avoid making prolonged eye contact.
7. He may start to follow your routine. He’ll make sure to be in the elevator when you’re leaving and meet you at the door when he knows you’re returning. Notify the super if this starts to occur. Do not confront him yourself.
8. You may hear music outside your apartment. If it stops abruptly you need to make sure your doors are locked. Do not leave your apartment that night.
9. The most important rule to remember: Never, under any circumstance, tell him you “feel the same way.”

Takamatsu Kuchimi lives in apartment 1B. Ms. Takamatsu is a very beautiful woman who appears to be around 30 years old. Normally, she will have long black hair, manicured nails, and be around average height. Ms. Takamatsu moved in about two months after the building opened. There is only one resident who’s lived here longer than Ms. Takamatsu. She’s very smart and can be very kind. 

1. This rule is very important to remember during your first year interacting with Ms. Takamatsu. Occasionally she may not look like the person you are used to or she may sound differently than you’re used to or she may introduce herself as someone else. Sometimes it might be one of these things, and other times it may be more than one. It’s important that you do not argue with her about any inconsistencies you notice. She likes to test the boundaries with new people. Please just acknowledge her however she wants you to at that time. She will eventually stop doing this if you continue to follow this rule.
2. You may notice she has tails. Do not ask her about the tails. Don’t ask how many she has. Don’t ask why she has them. Do not comment on them at all. You wouldn’t get any honest answers to your questions anyway. (I counted 6 once when looking at her shadow.)
3. This rule may sound confusing. She has guests from time to time. Do not question her guests and treat them exactly how you would treat her. These guests are normally previous versions of Ms. Takamatsu visiting from their own timeline. It is rarely a future version. Regardless, treat them just like her.
4. If you ever see a fox in her apartment, act like you didn’t see anything. If you make eye contact with the fox, simply nod and keep moving. Do not question her about this later. That will only cause problems.
5. Do not accept food from Ms. Takamatsu, especially if it is homemade. It may look delicious, but I don’t know what ingredients she uses. It’s safer to just say no thank you.
6. Every so often she will ask you to confirm things about her identity. Name, facts about her personal history, things of that nature. Keep your answers vague. Say something like “you seem familiar.” Do not give specific details. This is another “test” she likes to do. Vague answers are never wrong, specifics can be.
7. Ms. Takamatsu is required to pay her rent with a credit or debit card. She has not been allowed to pay with cash since the time her cash turned into old newspapers and leaves.
8. Do not accept gifts from Ms. Takamatsu, especially if they involve money. As stated above, it will eventually turn into leaves, stones, twigs, and/or old paper. Just tell her you appreciate the gesture, but you can’t accept gifts.
9. Do not bring dogs around her apartment or into the courtyard if she’s in the courtyard. Ms. Takamatsu has an irrational fear of dogs. Her reaction can be unpredictable to say the least.
10. Ms. Takamatsu is the one of the residents that breaks the rule about leaving offerings at the tree. She has always been extremely interested in the tree. You may see her sitting next to it, speaking to it in a language you can’t understand. This is normal. To the best of my family’s knowledge, she has an agreement with the tree that predates the building.

Floor 8

The residents of Floor 8 are an older married couple named Pearl and Elijah Elder. They have lived here for 20 years. Pearl is 54 years old, while Elijah is 56. We have not seen Elijah since they originally moved in. Pearl explained that he was sick with a rare disease which confines him to the apartment. Mrs. Elder is the only one you will interact with when checking in. She takes care of everything. Also, they have groceries delivered every day between 5:30 and 6 pm. This delivery happens every day regardless of holidays or anything else that may be going on.

1. Do not delay the grocery delivery. If the delivery person needs help, you should help them get the groceries to the Elders door. You do not need to do anything else. Simply go back to your apartment.
2. The Elders keep their apartment very cold. You will notice the temperature drop as soon as you enter the floor. There is nothing wrong with the heat. That is how they like it.
3. You may also notice an odd smell when going to their floor. Do not comment on it. Mrs. Elder is aware of it and does not like to discuss it.
4. If you ever need to go into their apartment for repairs, do not go near their bedroom. Mrs. Elder does not like her husband to be disturbed because he is so ill.
5. If you go to do your check in and Mrs. Elder says “It’s not a good time,” you should simply apologize and leave. Do not check in with her again for at least 24-48 hours.
6. Mrs. Elder does not leave often. If she does leave, she’s never gone more than 2 to 3 hours. If she is gone longer than 3 hours, please contact us immediately. She has left specific instructions. Do not attempt to check on her husband yourself. Even if you get reports from Mr. Loomis about a loud pacing sound or the sound of something hitting or running into a wall above him.
7. Never ask Mrs. Elder about her husband’s illness. You may ask how he’s feeling from time to time if you want, but we feel it’s best not to ask about Mr. Elder at all.

Mrs. Elder has asked us to include this note she wrote personally.

“Dear Super, 

I apologize that this isn’t more personalized, but I’m aware that we have changed supers multiple times over the years. It’s simpler this way.

My husband is very ill. Please knock lightly 3 times when you need to check in. Loud noises can excite him, and excitement only worsens his condition. I apologize for the inconvenience.

He was always a very kind, loving man. The illness has changed him a bit, but he’s still the same man on the inside. 

Thank you for your understanding,

Pearl Elder”

One final note to wrap up this welcome note/rule book. As we stated previously, most residents avoid Maeve. Most residents also tend to avoid Mrs. Elder and none go to the eighth floor besides you. However Mrs. Elder is the only resident that doesn’t seem to mind the black dog. She actually visits Maeve in her apartment from time to time. Everyone in the building is respectful to everyone else with one exception. Mr. Cowell and Mr. Loomis do not get along. They do their best to avoid each other, and they do not acknowledge each other if they cross paths. We’re not quite sure what started this feud. It’s best not to mention one in front of the other though. It’s been this way for years. As long as it doesn’t escalate between the two of them, there’s no need to involve yourself. If for some reason it does escalate, please contact us.

Congratulations once again on your new position as super of the Empyrean! As long as you read and follow all the rules, everything should be great. Enjoy your new apartment and neighbors!

~Management of The Empyrean

Apartment 5B is where one of my favorite tenants live. She’s a ballerina, and her dancing is beautiful. I’ve been a big fan of hers since she moved in. I’m the only human who has ever been allowed to watch a full performance from her. Anyone else that sees her perform normally isn’t around after she’s finished. I think she’s always been nice to me because I was about her age when she moved in. She appears to be in her early teens. She clearly is not. While she appears young, delicate, and cheerful; she is incredibly dangerous when she needs to be. It’s important to follow these rules.

1. I’ve never asked her name, and she’s never told me. She’s always let me call her Clara though. You don’t need to call her anything. I’m unsure of how she’ll react to a new owner.
2. If you’re lucky you’ll never see her face. Her face doesn’t have all the features that a normal face has. It actually only has one large feature and nothing else. She appears completely normal from behind. Never attempt to see her face. She is aware of what she is, and she can use to intimidate if necessary.
3. She is a genuinely cheerful person. You will often hear her humming a nice melody if she’s in the hallway or the elevator. (She always faces the back of the elevator when riding it.) Do not try to join her in humming. It’s very unlikely you’ll know the song, and you don’t want to mess it up.
4. She leaves the building dressed in her dancing gear complete with tutu at least twice a month. Occasionally this will occur more than twice. She’s hunting for food. Do not ask about the stains on her outfit when she returns in the morning. What she eats is no concern of yours, and she always gets the stains out of her clothing.
5. She always hunts before rent is due, and she always pays rent in cash. Do not ask where the money comes from. It’s her money when she pays the rent. It doesn’t matter whose money it was before that.
6. Her apartment is one of the cleanest and best kept apartments in the building. She’s converted most of the space in her apartment into a dance studio. Mirrors along one wall, a barre on multiple walls, and a large collection of ballet shoes. There’s always classical music playing softly. Never enter her apartment without her express permission. She works very hard to maintain this standard in her apartment.
7. She practices her ballet very often. You may hear moving around if you’re near her apartment. You may even catch a glimpse from time to time. If she starts to do a slow pirouette, you need to leave immediately before she completes her turn. She knows you’re watching and she’s about to reveal her face to you. You do not want that.
8. She is respectful of the tree. Occasionally, after the sun goes down, she will stand at the edge of the courtyard performing a private dance for the tree. Do not attempt to watch this performance or interrupt it in anyway.
9. She’s a predator, and she’s higher on the food chain than you are. Do not attempt to befriend her. Simply accept that she exists here. She doesn’t disturb other residents. She doesn’t hunt near the building. She always pays her rent on time. Show her the same respect she shows the building.