The Creature He Is

CHAPTER 13

Craig goes about his day and is surprised that no news is talked about anywhere about the break-in at town hall last night, as he was sure that there was clear evidence left behind for it. But there's nothing heard or said about it. And something about the lack of news on it, causes unease in him.

The day comes and goes, and he can't stop thinking of wanting to talk with Kenny more about their findings, and wanting to see him. But Kenny doesn't show that night, and Craig worries that something may have happened after all.

When the school day arrives the following day, Craig gets ready early and heads out for it. He hadn't been able to sleep much that night, to many 'what if?' Scenarios running through his mind about what could have happened to Kenny. And when he gets to class, his worry only grows when he doesn't see him there, and even more so as the day progresses to lunch and he still is a no show.

He heads to their usual spot, not caring if he runs into Kevin, because at least if he did, he'd be able to get some sort of answers from him. When he arrives at the spot, it's empty. He walks over to the rock and sits on it, trying to calm down a bit and not overreact. Maybe Kenny was right, maybe he shouldn't have gone, what if they figured it out? What if they got him? The panic was rising again and he didn't know what to do if that were the case. He didn't want anything bad to have happened to him because of his dumb idea. He couldn't—

"Craig?"

As soon as he hears that familiar deep voice and turns to look, a smile can't help but form across his mouth.

"Kenny."

Kenny gives a curious look as he walks over and takes a seat next to Craig.

"Are you okay?" he asks.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Craig replies, relief washing over him, "I was just a bit worried that something may have happened to you because of yesterday night, and when I didn't see you, that's all."

"You were worried?"

"Yeah. But I'm glad it wasn't anything," Craig admits, a bit embarrassed.

"Sorry..." Kenny says, "I told Kevin about what happened and he wanted to go looking as soon as possible for the staff. So we spent all of yesterday and some of today searching."

"Oh," Craig says, "anything, uh, turn up?"

"No," Kenny shakes his head, "we've searched everywhere we can think of, but nothing stands out. Wherever they are keeping it, it's well hidden. So much so, that not even our senses can pick up on it."

"I see," Craig says, "I'm sure we'll find it, just got to keep looking."

"Kevin is still looking for it, he's determined to break this curse as fast as possible." Kenny adds, "I am too, but I needed to take a break from searching for hours on end. And because..."

"Because what?" Craig asks.

Kenny's eyes flick to Craig for a moment, then back back out to the stream.

"I wanted to see you," he replies.

Craig's eyes widen and he glances away to hide the flush he could feel forming on his face at that. His chest a bit tightened from it.

"Oh," Craig replies, and wants to smack himself at how dumb it sounds, "uh, by the way," he adds quickly, changing the topic so it's not so awkward. "I've been wondering this for a while now, but, what will you do once the curse is broken and you're human?"

"Take this coat off," Kenny replies.

"Huh?"

"I won't need to hide anymore. So I'll be able to take it off and walk around like everyone else," he explains.