Message to the reader:

This is an ongoing series, so feedback would be much appreciated to help revise current chapters, and improve writing for future chapters. Let me know what you like and what you dislike in the comments below. Also, each chapter corresponds with the same episode of Nightvale, so minor spoilers may be in store if you haven't listened to the first few. Enjoy!

Listening to Episode 1

"…and mysterious lights pass overhead as we all pretend to sleep. Welcome, to Night Vale." Cecil's voice then cut out as the radio station played its intro before the new episode- as it always did. I looked over to the stranger I was sharing my home with. I met this stranger nearly three years ago- and since that day we'd become very close as friends. She was definitely my favorite stranger. She often told me that I was hers as well but never trust strangers as my mom always said. Mom never really 'said it', more so she made it clear after biting every stranger I met as a child. She didn't ever bite this stranger thou, because I told her she was my 'girlfriend'. Instead mom just sharpened her fangs and watched us from the living room window. Parents- amiright?

"Quiet Noel" I whispered at the stranger. (That isn't her name, she just understands that I'm talking to her when I use the name.) You don't talk to strangers- and thus never learn their names. I mean, this is just common sense.

The search light scanned across the top of our home, light barely seeping in around the curtains. We had already done our nightly round of barricading, so the windows, doors, and secret underground passages for large rodents were all securely held down with wooden 2x4's and plenty of industrial strength staples. As was the daily procedure of course. I gestured at Noel to silence the radio, because we didn't know what could be listening

We slowly took one foot and gently put it in front of the other. Each step taking much longer then needed, just to be especially safe. I turned around, almost forgetting to grab our radio- when I saw motion from the corner of my eye. It wasn't the faceless old women who secretly lives in our home, no- because she's usually very quiet. This was something else in our home?... I'm unsure but it makes me fairly uncomfortable and as such I put emphasis to move quickly- but not loudly, over to the radio and back to the side of my stranger. Her company always brought with it a sense of comfort. To the point where when I was by her side even the shapeless shadows of the dark and their eyeless gazes didn't frighten me. She was so gentle and yet steadfast. It was in moments much like this where her beauty was most easily recognized. She stood there in a large T-shirt and jeans, still slowly creeping away from the main room.

Distracted by her beauty, I had almost forgotten we were not alone in this room. Technically we are never alone, but you get my point- there were more presences present then typical for a small citizen such as my self's home. Night vale was typically such a friendly community to live in. The neighbors keep their crying limited to two or three hours a day- and the mailman who never blinks does a great job of watching out for us. Yup, he never stops making sure we are safe and sound at home. I bet he is still across the street watching. Such a dedicated man!

We crept forward as yet another search light decided to slow its caress on our home. Any crack that light could have seeped through, it poured out of. The shadows receded from the floor as the beam of mysterious light outstretched its grip towards us. I then grabbed at noel's hand, to drag her along quickly. The floor croaked underneath me after every step. I don't remember the floor ever being this damn loud.

The shadows in my home, now furious with the lights intruding on their space, took their grips and rattled every piece of furniture within sight. The love seat lurched forward, the fridge was forced from the wall, the coffee table crept across the span of the carpet, and the doorknobs exploded. Unexpected, but it seems shadows don't understand the whole "grab and turn" part of opening doors and instead just squeezed my doorknobs past their breaking points. Shrapnel and bits of metal chimed like bells as they scattered across the wood flooring. 2x4's became loose from the shaking and crashed down onto the wood floor beneath with a splintering loud clap in the quiet night. This sudden uncovering tore down curtains and unveiled windows allowing our home to be drowned in light. The kitchen and bedroom where totally submerged, and as the searchlights began shifting towards our home once more, we knew that the living room was soon to follow. Still holding Noel's hand, I pulled her towards the last refuge we had available.

The hall closet wasn't all too large, but it could fit two people. Soon the house would be drowned in light and it seemed to be our safest bet. God I hate Tuesdays. I mean, everyone complains about Mondays being bad, having to start off the work week again, but sleeping in a closet each week gets really old. My back pressed against the wall, & hers pressed against the wall across from me, we sat in the dark closet with our legs intertwined and the radio upon my lap. We tune back in, just in time to listen to the weather. "These and More Than These" – by Joseph Fink, a great song… played as quietly as we had it, it was very atmospheric as our eyes met.

I loved this stranger. I really did. I'm not sure why I had become so obsessed with her, but having someone to share your life with is so nice. Having someone like her takes the lonely out of your life and leaves you happier. Kind of like having a dog. I should double check and make sure she isn't a dog…

That's when I asked to kiss her. Yup, she's definitely human. She blushed bright red, as she tends to do, and let her hair fall down so that she could hide behind it. She was beautiful like this, her shy nature was very endearing at times. After some brutally cold silence, she nodded her head. With a simple hand on her neck, I pulled her closer and kissed her for as long as she would let me. It was alittle uncomfortable since we were both sitting on the closet floor, but I didn't mind. The drum of my heart was so loud it might have drawn attention of the search lights… A few moments passed as we sat there, unsure of what to do next. I guess we should try to get some sleep? *sigh* I hate Tuesdays so much… so so so so much. The voice on the radio continued on about that scientist of his, and some blabber about the city beneath our bowling alley. The episode started to approach its end, and the voice began to sign off. " 'settling in to be another clear night, and pretty evening here in nightvale. I hope all of you, out there, have someone to sleep through it with. … or, at least good memories of when you did. Goodnight listeners… goodnight."

With these lines my eyes met with the strangers again. I really felt lucky to have her to share my evenings with. Even through rough days such as Tuesday, she is always here for me. I appreciate that. She was truly lovely… A truly beautiful stranger indeed. She turned away from me, and laid against my chest. It took alittle shuffling for both of us, but we got comfortable. I grabbed my winter jacket that was hanging up above us and used it as a blanket. Stranger, I love you so damn much… even if I don't say it, I think it every single day.