The Creature He Is

CHAPTER 11

When Craig arrives to his first class, he's glad to see that Kenny has indeed kept his word and showed up to it and can't help but give a small smile to him as he takes a seat.

Lunch comes and Kenny spends it with Craig and his friends, who seemed to be a bit more comfortable around him now since the fair. At least everyone but Clyde, who Craig could see was eyeing the turtleneck he wore and knew just how much he hated to wear them. But still, he did not ask about it. At some point during lunch, a small awkward moment pops up when someone points out the ring on his finger and he has to quickly hide it under the table and fumble to think of what to say. Kenny seems to catch onto Craig's behavior though, as he tells them that Craig had won it in a game at the fair, which they seem to buy and Craig couldn't help but feel relieved by it, but also a bit guilty at having to lie about it as well. Still though, he didn't want his friends to get carried away, if they knew the truth they would start to tease both him and Kenny relentlessly because of it.

The school day comes to a close eventually and Craig finds himself now walking home with Kenny, his gaze glancing down every so often at his hand and trying to surpass the urge to want to hold it.

Just as they reach a turn near a building, Kenny stops, which causes Craig to stop and look at him.

"Kenny?" he asks, but Kenny doesn't reply and instead stands in front of Craig with his back to him.

"I know you're there," Kenny says.

There's a small pause before it's broken by a chuckle and Kevin steps out from around the corner of the building.

"Of course you know," he says.

"You're getting pretty bold aren't you?" Kenny asks, "Coming out in the day now. I thought you only liked nighttime."

"Usually, yeah I do... But I couldn't help it today, because I'm honestly surprised and needed to see this for myself," Kevin says.

"See what?" Craig asks and Kevin looks at him, causing him to tense.

"You," he replies, "both of you."

"If that's all, then leave," Kenny tells him.

"Of course that's not all, little brother," Kevin says, "in case you've forgotten, we have a job to do."

"I know that," Kenny replies.

"Good. Then come on," Kevin says as he starts to head off.

For a moment, Kenny doesn't move, and when he's about to take a step, Craig grabs his arm.

"Wait—let me help," Craig says and Kenny looks back at him.

"Craig—"

"You're looking for this shaman, right? Or a decedent related to them or whatever? Then let me help," Craig says. "I know this town and where everything is."

"Craig... I know you want to help but..." Kenny trails off.

"But what?" Craig asks.

"I don't want to put you in any more danger," Kenny tells him.

Craig's eyes flick to Kevin, who had now stopped and was watching them, before he looks back to Kenny.

"I understand, but I'll be okay," Craig tries to reassure him, "because you'll be there, right?"

"I wasn't able to prevent the things he did to you before," Kenny replies quietly, "I'm sorry, I know you want to help, but you can't come along," the expression on Craig's face falls along with his gaze. Something brushes against his cheek then, one of Kenny's fingers. Then all of them, as they cup around his cheek. "I'll see you later tonight," Kenny says, leaning in closer to him, and something about how he says it makes Craig's heart race. "Okay?" he adds, brushing a thumb over Craig's bottom lip, and Craig nods in response. Kenny moves his hand away then and heads off.