Counting Stars

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE - SAVED BY THE ASSHOLE

We all froze for a second, not daring to blink. Finally, it seemed Mr Robber Guy's narrowed gaze spurred the boys into action.

"Well, this is awkward." Puck climbed off me slowly, seeming to wilt slightly under Mr Robber Guy's glare.

I scrambled to my feet, dusting myself off as I stood.

"What. Are. You. Doing?" He ground out, clenching his jaw.

Mr Cocky Pants gulped audibly.

"W-we were just going to tickle her," he tried to explain.

"It was just a bit of fun," Labrador added doubtfully.

"Huh. Funny, she didn't look like she was having fun to me."

He leaned against the doorframe, his hands in his pockets.

I stared at him.

Why was he defending me?

"You're right. We took it a bit too far. Sorry, Pixie," said Labrador sincerely. Following his lead, Puck and Mr Cocky Pants mumbled apologies.

Huh. Who would have thought I'd be saved by the asshole?

Mr Robber Guy jerked his head in my direction.

"Come with me."

I glanced back at the three boys, who dipped their heads in shame.

Sighing, I followed Mr Robber Guy out of the kitchen.

I guess my precious lasagne would have to wait...it had better still be there when I got back.

I frowned when I realised we were heading towards his room. He wasn't going to lock me in there again, was he?

I readied myself, in case he tried to close the door on my face like he did last time. To my surprise, he followed me into the room and then closed the door.

This made me nervous for a whole new set of reasons.

He turned to face me.

"I need to tell you something."

Uh-oh. This didn't sound good.

"Is this the part you tell me I'm expendable and therefore have to be killed?"

"What? No," Mr Robber Guy looked taken aback.

Well that's a first. I was beginning to think nothing short of admitting my secret would be able to surprise him.

"So, let me just get this straight. I'm not going to die anytime soon, right?"

He frowned at me for a few seconds, then muttered, "Well, that remains to be seen."

Well, that was reassuring.

"Okay. So, what were you going to say then?"

He straightened, seeming to remember what he wanted to tell me.

"We're moving."

"What?" I looked at him incredulously.

"I have a... job I need to complete very soon, that can only be done in the city. That means the boys and I are temporarily moving there."

I noticed he didn't mention what was going to happen to me.

When I pointed this out, he sighed and looked like he was having a hard time finding he right words to say.

I gasped, pointing a finger at him accusingly. "I knew it! You are going to kill me, you goddamn liar!"

He grabbed my finger and forced my hand down, letting out a frustrated breath as he did so.

"Will you just let me finish without predicting that I'm going to kill you every two seconds! What I'm trying to say is that you'll be coming with us!"

There was a short silence.

Then, "What?"

He cocked his head.

"What do you mean, 'what'? Wasn't I clear the first time?"

This was not going to plan at all.