Page 21

(Present)

Addy paints my nails a sparkling red shade as we longue across my bed. He says the color will reel Creek to me like a fish.

I'm starting to think Addy’s full of shit.

Loving the color, I allow him to continue and listen to all the silly tales that come out of his mouth. He’s loving, kind and weird. I think it's best I surround myself with these types.

I still have no clue why he and his brother needed to spend the night three days ago, but they haven't left. Not that I mind, the company has been a delight, even if I have a hard time showing or voicing it. His brother, Jay is very kind albeit quiet, which I can appreciate. Addy has been my spokesperson when he senses I'm uncomfortable in conversation.

“Ugggggghhhhh.”

He falls on his back once he's finished brightening my fingertips. “I feel like I never stop talking.”

It's true, he doesn't. I nod encouragingly. “Tell me something about you. You’re so mysterious in all your silent sullen ways.”

“Like what?” I blink.

“Anything!”

He tugs the strands of his hair that fall over his small ears. His face pulls into some strange expression that reminds me of an emoji. He's so weird.

I think it over while he takes a sip from his water bottle. Sore miscalculation on my part in terms of timing.

“I was nine years old when I took my first life.”

Water droplets fall rapidly down my now wet face after Addy spits all over me.

“C-come again?”

He squeak’s.

I blink... Stunned by his reaction. “I was nine years old when-”

“Y-yeah... I got that part, no need to repeat...”

His body squirms in place and I get the feeling that he's uncomfortable which has my eyes narrowing on his shaky frame. “That’s not something you go around telling people Harlyn.”

“I don’t talk to anyone, and I thought we were friends?”

With a gasp, his entire demeanor shifts. The guy gives me whiplash. “Of course, we are.”

He nods seriously. “S-so, what happened, why did you do it, do you still do it? Kill people I mean?”

His head shifts to the side and his gaze is uneasy.

I change the subject, putting him out of his misery.

“So, what’s up with you and Beige?”

“What? Nothing!”

Mission unaccomplished.

If Addy wasn’t uncomfortable before, he certainly is now. I blink and suddenly his face is directly in front of mine. I feel his breath ghost across my skin and my muscles tense to refrain from shifting away in my discomfort.

“Why? Did he say something? Hm? Hm? Hm?”

His head cocks side to side with each Hm he throws in my direction and his face grows gradually closer. It's creepy as fuck. Like that time, I walked into the break area to find him staring at nothing. Worlds away, and no amount of calling his name would pull him back to earth. It wasn’t until I nudged his shoulder that he finally blinked. When he noticed I was there a goofy grin lit up his face and he pretended the shit never happened.

My hand connects with his face that still sits extremely close and I push him back. He cackles at that.

“He’s just always watching you. Where you move his eyes follow, like the sun outside of a moving vehicle window.”

His face heats. A hint of shyness, I didn’t know he possessed, peaking at me. “I-I thought it was just me.”

“Nope. We all see it.”

And just like that he’s back to talking about random shit, like the last three minutes hadn’t happened. His erratic behavior continues throughout the day, and I begin to think he may have a loose screw or two. Then he's back to being a kind little squishy ball of joy and I forget about it.

A while later, a knock sounds at my bedroom door and Jay pokes his head in.

“Addyson?”

Addyson? I like it. It's totally him.

“Jay, hey!”

Addy lights up, the way he does around people.

“Momma called...”

Jay explains.

Dread sets in the pit of my stomach as I watch all the light leave Addy's bright eyes. He takes on that far away look. Staring at nothing in particular.

I tap his head with caution, and he jolts back to the present with a chocked gasp.

“W-what did she say?”

“She wants us home...”

They wince in union and the dread I feel burrows itself further.

“Addy, if your mother is hurting-”

“No!”

He cuts me off, horrified with my assumption. “She would never. It's... It's not that.”

He sighs, climbing off the bed and reaching for the backpack he brought. I follow behind him. Snatching his wrist, I spin him around until he's facing me and can see how serious I am.

“You promise?”

“I promise, Harlyn. Momma loves us...”

The way he says Momma, is creepy rather than endearing. I feel uncomfortable allowing him to leave. There's a reason he left that house. I didn’t ask questions because I go through enough without stepping outside of my business. If he needs help though, I'll be here. I tell him as much before they thank me for letting them crash.

Soon I'm alone in my room again and I quickly get clothes gathered for a shower. Not only do I have to work later tonight, but I have a play date with Pillar before my shift.

Turns out he's actually only ten years old. I had Shaide hand over the means to contact the little guy whenever I want to. He needs me. I could feel it as surely as I could feel the air brush my skin when we practiced together.

Bonus? It fixes me busy. Keeping still will only invite my demons to haunt me. I'd jump over a pool loaded with piranha’s before I willingly let that happen.