Chapter 15
FIFTEEN
AIDEN
I hum under my breath as I press the staple gun against the tree. The white fliers I’ve made with Zeus’ picture have a hefty reward that I can’t necessarily afford written at the bottom. It’s been nearly two weeks, and I need my buddy back. I’m just hoping he hasn’t fallen prey to a mountain lion or a car. Hopefully, he’s just taking a little vacation and will come back soon.
He’s never coming back.
Who would want you?
Should have killed the little bitch when you had the chance.
Oops, well that was a bit dark, wasn’t it? I shake my head, my breaths shuddering only slightly as I continue down the street and staple another flier to a telephone pole. Jennifer was supposed to help me put all these up, hence the extra stapler I carry under my arm, but she said she had a long standing nail appointment to get to.
You hate her.
Want to cut her.
Do it, Aiden.
I smile, whistling a happy tune as I walk to the next flat surface in downtown. That’s been happening a lot this past week. My thoughts… stray. Stray into something twisted and corrupted, something simmering under the surface, something powerful and overwhelming that tips my mind side-to-side with its weight.
I let out a determined breath. Bright and happy thoughts. Maybe after I do this, I’ll go to the park. Sunshine always helps. It helps everything.
I decide I’ll put up just a few more posters because downtown looks like it’s practically covered in pictures of my cat. I cross the street, checking both ways before making my way to the bakery on the corner. I lick my lips at the sweet smell of cookies wafting out the front door. I’m just about to cheat a little and go in until a voice stops me.
“Is that your cat?”
I stop, turning to look at the man who spoke. At first glance, I don’t think I recognize him, which is odd for a town of this size. But, then again, I’m mostly a recluse who doesn’t get out much. It wouldn’t be the most surprising thing in the world to have never crossed paths with people who live here.
Although, he does seem vaguely familiar. Maybe I have run into him at one point or another, but I think I’d remember a face like that.
It’s not that he’s handsome. Not really. There’s too many sharp edges to his jaw and cheeks, little scars that cover parts of his face, like he might have been in an accident before. His hair is long and shaggy, black, and hanging down to his shoulders. It obscures his eyes which, when they rise to meet mine, are the lightest shade of silver I’ve ever seen. He’s not handsome, not attractive, but arresting . So interesting to look at.
“Hi,” I say stupidly, at a loss for words. “Um, yeah.”
He looks at the flier in my hand. “Zeus? Is that its name?”
“His,” I correct politely, handing him the flier. “Yeah. You haven’t happened to see him have you?”
He shakes his head, but his eyes flick down to the ground. He seems so uncomfortable, but he doesn’t move away from me. I nibble on my bottom lip and he flicks his eyes back up to watch the movement. His nostrils flare, almost pissed, and I wonder what I’ve done.
“So, thanks,” I say awkwardly, giving him a curt wave. “I?—”
“Do you recognize me?”
I pause at how the question is asked. Forced, almost in a broken cough, and I tip my head to the side. “No, I’m sorry. Do I know you?”
His jaw clenches, hands balling into fists at his side, and I’m actually afraid this is just a very well-dressed lunatic. “Yes.”
“Oh?” I ask, raising a brow while taking a conscious step back. “I’m sorry I don’t remember.”
There’s something about this man that’s both terrifying and exhilarating. Like he’s on the cusp of just snapping any second, but it’s alluring. He’s a presence, commanding, and it’s hard to look away from him. Even though I know I should probably head into one of the shops until he goes away, I can’t move. I’m stuck there—fight or flight gone—and just let him stare at me.
So very completely still.
A masked face licking up my vomit.
A thick cock pressing against my hole.
A—
“I need to go,” I rush out, cheeks flushing as I recall the familiar nightmare that’s haunted my sleep this last week. “Nice to meet you… again.”
I take a step back but his hand darts out and seizes my wrist. He pulls me toward him, not as roughly as he could judging off his furious eyes. He brushes his thumb against my pulse point, licking his lips. “Levi.”
“Oh. Well, nice to meet you, Levi,” I breathe out, giving a shaky smile which he returns.
But there’s something so wrong with that smile. It’s like his lips are moving in the right direction, but it doesn’t quite meet his eyes. Disingenuous. Like what I imagine a Wendigo would be like trying to mimic a human. Unnatural.
But he’s striking. His energy, his aura, his?—
YES.
LET US OUT, AIDEN.
LET US THE FUCK OUT!
I take a quick step back as my breath stutters. I plant a hand on my rapidly beating heart, so confused by that sudden and loud reaction. It’s making me uncomfortable. I don’t… I don’t like this.
“I really need to go,” I say, coming out almost choked and breathless. “I?—”
“There you are!”
Both of us turn to watch Jennifer marching her way toward us. She stops right beside me, ignoring Levi as she takes a razor grip on my arm. “Are you done yet?” She looks behind us and scoffs. “Sweetie, didn’t we talk about the sweets.”
I duck my head, gulping. “I’m sorry.”
CUT.
SLASH.
DO IT.
LET US OUT!
Jennifer sighs, relaxing her hold on me, still ignoring the man I was obviously talking to. “You know it’s just because I care.” Then she leans in and presses her lips against mine in a chaste and meaningless kiss. “Let’s go home. We can look for Zelda later.”
“Zeus,” I mutter under my breath, letting her pull me away. I don’t look up as her booted footsteps crunch the icy slush underneath our feet.
Something compels me to look back. Maybe because the uncomfortably fake man deserved a goodbye? Maybe because it was rude of me to just leave without saying anything? Maybe because I’m embarrassed he had to watch my balls get handed to me?
Curious, I think, as I look at him.
Just standing in the cold, watching us walk away, and tugging on his scarf.