The weeks which followed were strange.

No matter what I did, where I was, it always felt like someone was watching me. Nothing around me seemed unusual or out of place, no face was unfamiliar. Even in a large empty room I could feel eyes on me, unkind ones at that. This strange phenomenon had been going on for a while now but it noticeably spiked following Saffron's addition to our home.

I remembered back to that staffmember, the one who'd seen my consoling my newest daughter in the children's bedroom. Those eyes, that look of shock...could they--

--no, surely not. She said the staff were back on those islands, right?

...But Morissey rotated his staff fairly often and who else but he knew whence they came? I certainly didn't, my work never involving staff personal records. As much as I didn't want to consider the possibility, there was a chance that some of the very people in our home were also rotated between here and that aforementioned compound. While initially hesitant to accept such an unbelievable tale the smoking gun came directly from Morissey's mouth that night, having noticed a similarity between Saffron and some part of his history. He even noted that the event took place somewhere far away.

This was all incredibly troublesome and from this matter alone I found it difficult to sleep. With the constant needle-like feeling of eyes upon my every action what little sleep I did manage was shallow and restless to the point Daniel took notice, but because I hadn't much of an explanation to share there was nothing I could really say about it. The most I could go with was simply "I feel like I'm being watched" followed by his "I'll keep you close and safe". It wasn't that I was unhappy or unaccepting of such a thing, but because I couldn't pinpoint a direct cause or origin of the feeling it was like I didn't know what it meant in the first place.

Keep me close? Keep me safe? Sounds great, but from what?

What was the cause? Where was it coming from? Everywhere I looked, every direction I turned was empty and fruitless yet that pinprick cascade down my spine still prevailed as though the source had simply moved elsewhere.

...Like it was simply a step ahead of me and I simply had no hope of catching up.

It reminded me much of...

...that...assault some years ago.

Could...Could corruption be spreading amongst staff? The feeling was so familiar, so much like that person's, that it was nigh unmistakable.

...Corrupted staff in my house, around my children? I hadn't evidence and given what happened before I didn't want to rock the boat and paint myself a target. All I could do, as much as I hated it, was wait and see.

---

Weeks turned to months and, before I knew it, another year rolled by. Another year of long days, stacks of paperwork, and time spent with my family. While that gnawing feeling of paranoia still followed me I did my best to push it aside, trying my hardest to concern myself with what lay just in front of me.

Riv had well surpassed me in height by now, already standing at just a hair under Daniel's height at the young age of fifteen. It was hard to believe he was once a tiny six-year-old, his original fears and apprehension given way to bold confidence. Of course, this seemed to rely on whether or not he had his hat, as he'd taken plenty of notice by now the strange looks he'd get from visitors due to his bright eyes.

Sura wasn't too far behind him in height, having grown a little faster at the start. At fourteen, though, her time growing taller was almost over, but standing pretty at five-foot-eight she was still well over my head. The once skinny, shy little girl had come so far it was hard to believe her origins, though some extent of her shyness still remained through the years. Those big, warm brown eyes never failed to make me smile, though.

Saffron was about eleven now, maybe a bit older. She stood about four-foot-ten, just a few inches shorter than me, but she'd most likely surpass me before too long. Even now she struck me as a bit unusual, with some degree of boyish features despite living as a girl. It didn't bother me, but I hoped it didn't bother her, either. She'd grown particularly close to both Daniel and I, and liked to watch over the rest of us to ensure we all got along. Should any argument or similar take place you could expect her to appear and break it up. It was funny in a way.

Of course, with age came chores, as much as he didn't enjoy it. I'd put him in charge of handling dishes with Sura and Saffron as well as sweeping the lobby every evening after hours like before. On top of this I'd ask they help with general kitchen cleanup and managing the wastebin, all things which didn't require much time as we were all fairly tidy people. Sura would help sweep the hallway a few times weekly as well as sweep and dust in the storage rooms when asked. Every weekend Daniel and I still dealt with laundry, but Saffron would come with me outside to help hang things up or take things down while either Riv or Daniel dumped the spent water. Having more hands to help with the little things added up more than I thought it would, giving my partner and I a little more time away from job work and house work.

And, of course, though Riv grumbled I'd like to think he knew that these things weren't required to punish him or anyone else, but rather just to even the workload and make everything run a little smoother.

Moreover, Morissey kept his word regarding my pay. When he'd stop in on Friday mornings he'd come bearing the lessened sum, but on our walks he'd compensate for the loss after we found ourselves in the quiet, dimly-lit back roads. It felt strange to me going this far, but I admit it felt a little nice that someone valued my work and family to such an extent they'd go this...well, rather literal extra mile. We were as careful as we could be to look all around us in hopes to scout out anyone who may be watching.

Unfortunately, while I couldn't see or hear anyone during those outings, I certainly felt something tugging at my very essence. I wasn't sure if Morissey could feel it as he'd never say a word about it, but I also wasn't sure if I should say anything about it lest I put him even more on-edge. He was already putting himself through a lot just for me, just for my family, that the last thing I wanted was to push him over the edge.

Eventually those concerns proved to be more than just concerns, the foundings outing themselves slowly but surely as time continued to pass. I'd find small notes left on the inner shelf of my desk rife with threats and insults, but no two notes seemed to use the same handwriting.

After some time I'd find them on the bathroom floor following a shower.

Later yet, slipped under my bedroom door.

What began as your typical threat and insult slowly twisted into horrible, disgusting accusations about myself and others, or myself with others.

Accusations of aggressive cuddling between Daniel and I, though by now I had grown used to those and found them easy enough to disregard. Eventually they turned to similar things regarding Heather of the daystaff and even between myself and Morissey of all people. That must be why he'd grown so soft with me despite my family, surely.

Regardless of what the notes had to say I was as swift as I could be with their disposal, hoping to obscure them enough under the other garbage that they wouldn't be stumbled upon by another person.

---

"Um, Reverend?" came a familiar shy voice. "M-May I come in?"

"You may," I answered, after which the bedroom door opened.

Heather took a step into my bedroom while I waited behind my desk. It was a weekend evening and the others were outside in the backyard with a grill while I tended to a little extra work before dinner. If the time on my clock were true Heather would likely be heading home soon.

"Was there something you needed?" I asked as she carefully stepped toward my desk.

"...Um," was all she'd utter before handing me a folded slip of paper.

I already had a bad feeling about this, a sinking feeling in my stomach. I took the slip and unfolded it to see just what this might be about, but once my eyes finished scanning the words before them I felt nothing short of nauseous.

"REVEREND MOLESTS HER FOSTER CHILDREN"

The only sensible reaction my head could formulate was to tear the paper apart in a fury, daring not to leave any part distinguishable enough to piece back together. Once the note was torn into crude confetti I slapped the pile of paper bits off my desk and onto the floor.

Heather brought her hand up to her mouth to cover a tiny gasp. I quickly stood up off my chair and thrust my palms against the top of my desk with a loud thump.

"Heather, please, I hope you know by now that accusations like these are entirely unfounded!" I cried, trying to keep my voice down as much as my throat would allow. "I would never dream of harming children, especially my own and those under my care!"

She took a step back with her hand still at her mouth, looking down to the floor seemingly unsure of my words.

"P-Please, I'm begging you-- don't believe a word of it!" I continued, my voice cracking. "Nothing on that slip was true! I'm not a woman and I'm damn sure not a predator. They're...They're just..."

I'd been through harm like that in my life. Just the very notion of being compared to such a horrible strain of individual filled me with rage and it was consuming my very thoughts. I sat back down, my hands on my head and fingers woven through my ever-messy hair.

"...Reverend?" she'd softly call, taking a small step forward.

Before I knew it my eyes filled with tears and the papers in front of me appeared as not much more than blobs of white against a deep brown mass. I thought the notes were only being left where I happened to be, just like they were back some years ago with that one corrupted staffmember. How foolish I'd been to assume it would stay that way, that they wouldn't try to expand their harassment horizon to drag down others and further poison the well. If they couldn't destroy me by seeking me out, specifically, they'd target those I seemed close to.

Anything to oust me, right?

"I-I'm sorry, but...I thought I should tell you about this," she said. "Personally I don't believe what's written as I...well, I'd like to think I know you better than that. Your children seem happy and normal, too."

"Where did you find this?" I asked.

"It was left in the bigger kitchen, on the countertop," she said. "I-I don't know who left it, though. It was already there when I arrived.

...I didn't use that kitchen, preferring to stick with the smaller one and allow staff use of the larger kitchen instead. They knew this.

They wanted someone else to find the note this time, and if I had to guess they wanted it to be someone else amongst staff.

"Did you see any others when you were there?" I asked further.

"N-No, just the one," she replied. "I looked elsewhere in the kitchen but nothing stood out."

My ears crept back and all I could do was sigh. Nothing valuable seemed to come to me, my head empty and caught in a fog.

"...Thank you, Heather," I quietly uttered. "I'm...sorry for my outburst. Th...That kind of accusation hits close to home."

"I-It's alright, I understand," she said, trying to smile. "I think just about anyone would feel strongly against such a thing no matter the background. I-I didn't mean to ruin your evening."

"No, please, you didn't ruin anything," I responded, raking my fingers harshly through my hair. "This isn't your doing. You've been very kind to my family and I, and...you have no idea how valuable that is to us."

"Is there anything I can do for you before my shift is over?" she asked, remembering the time. "I can't stay too long, but I could get you a drink or something to help calm you."

"I'll...I'll be fine," I exhaled. "I just...need a moment."

She seemed to take that as an answer all its own, turning back to the door and starting her walk back to the hall.

"Heather," I called one last time, just before she could fully dismiss herself from the room. "...Thank you."

She turned back to me with a shy little smile and a gentle nod before disappearing back into the hall.

Alone again I propped my elbows up on the desk, pushing aside the little bit of paperwork as to not ruin it. I buried my face in my hands and, as though finally allowed to, I began heavily sobbing. I'd tried all this time not to let these things get to me, shrugging off what notes I found to the best of my ability. After all, this wasn't a new tactic. Despite my tempering over the years these things still proved capable of weathering me, wearing me down little by little and with nobody I could turn to.

I didn't want to turn to Daniel and make him worry, or possibly breach my contract by talking about my work and coworkers with others. With the constant scopaesthesia there was no telling if or when I was being watched.

I couldn't turn to Morissey. The last time I tried, it just made the situation worse. I'd also potentially get him caught up in the matter when he was already doing so much for me.

It went without saying I couldn't turn to my children, the staff, or even the ramiotrans due to contracts.

The most I could hope for at this point was that only I and Heather had found any of these notes up through now, but it would be only a matter of time before they tried to target the rest of my family.

...Assuming they hadn't already begun.

I had to stay alert, stay vigilant. I had to for them.

...Perhaps they'd stop if...

...if I asked Morissey to reduce my pay to what it's supposed to be.

---

Friday finally came. I was already out at the front desk, my stomach empty but unable to find my appetite this morning. Daniel's look of concern wasn't lost on me, but should I have eaten I would have vomited it right back up, my guts too tense and knotted to allow it.

I sat and waited, unable to do anything more than look down in front of me. There was a folder of finished work waiting to be picked up and now I just needed to wait for the door. It wasn't too long before the bell above the door jingled and alerted me of Morissey's presence, the man turning to me with a little smile before making his way to my desk.

"Reverend?" he asked once he reached me, his head tilted to the side. "Are...Are you alright? You look terrible."

Having been granted the unfortunate sight of my reflection this morning, I was well aware.

"...I'm fine, just tired," I said, handing him the folder.

"Are you getting enough sleep at night?" he asked further, taking the folder and giving me a new one. "I'm sorry, but I couldn't help but notice you've looked...less than well for a while now."

"...Just restless sleep," I answered. "I'll live. Don't worry about it."

"...If you say so," he sighed. "Would you still like a walk at the end of the day? If you're tired or sick I would understand if you'd rather stay home and I'd even prefer it for your sake."

"Yes, I...would still like that," I said, rubbing and blinking my irritated, dry eyes. "...And please bring some weekend work. I'll...really need it."

He tilted his head the other direction, stowing his folder under his arm.

"Is there something you need to talk about?" he finally asked that painful, aching question.

I wanted so badly to say yes, to pour my heart out about these past few months and how far the harassment had gotten. I wanted to tell someone, anyone, and try to finally claw my way out of this situation.

But I couldn't.

I just couldn't. It would only...make everything worse, just like it always had.

"...No, I'm fine," I said curtly, grabbing my pen.

...Make everything worse, and put my family in danger.

"...If you say so," he relented, turning away and heading back to the door. "I'll be back at the usual time."

The front door closed, and like the flip of a switch I felt all eyes on me.

---