Misunderstood Monsters

Chapter 54: Limping Footsteps

Eddie raised his head as an unfamiliar set of footsteps approached them. He turned his head in (what he thought was) John's general direction. "Who's that?"

John sounded confused. "Who are you talking about?"

"Don't you hear that? Those footsteps?"

"That's Dr. Collingwood. Can't you recognize her scent?"

Eddie's keen nose caught a familiar smell. One that was ingrained into his instinctive memory more than any other. From childhood, in fact.

"Oh, never mind," he laughed, inwardly scolding himself. Her footsteps have changed. She limps now. I should've remembered that.

Eddie heard Billy and Molly snort-giggle.

"You're hilarious, Eddie," the researcher chuckled. "I'll be honest, for all the times I've called you a chaotic little sh*t, if it weren't for you and Billy, I would've probably forgotten how to laugh."

Eddie grinned, happy that at least he'd managed to lift Molly's spirits, even if it was at his own expense.

"To be honest, that goes for me too," Lawrence laughed.

Eddie heard Lawrence walk closer to Molly and the latter let out a slightly embarrassed little giggle.

They're holding hands, aren't they? They're holding hands, there is no way that they're not. Eddie grinned at the thought.

Simon piped up. "Lawrence, I want to talk to you privately."

The smile on Eddie's face vanished. Oh no.