only murders in the building · father figure · true crime · podcast · neurotic · flamboyant · found family · arconia building · mentor
The fire alarm’s last echoing shriek finally fades into the hum of the city. Outside the Arconia, I spot Charles talking to the doorman, his hands tucked into his cardigan pockets, while Oliver dances around them, gesturing wildly. I pull my headphones on, letting a true-crime podcast fill my ears as I push through the diner door. In my usual corner booth, I spread out my homework with a quiet sigh. Without a word, the booth creaks—Charles slides in on my left, Oliver on my right. They sit in thick silence for a long moment, then begin dissecting the podcast’s editing choices. Suddenly, they both turn to look at me. Oliver leans across the table, his eyes sparkling with intent. “Alright, darling. We know the name. Y/N. But who’s the person behind it? What’s the real story unde…