He's A Monster

A Little Ride

Marshal's perspective (POV)

"Yeah, stay away from him. He's unbelievably creepy. Sure, he may look sexy, but if you're not careful..." The girl lowered her voice. "He'll murder you like he did his parents."

The hallway rang with laughter and whispers. I walked past, a low chuckle slipping from me as the new student peeked at me from behind her locker door, pulse hammering in her throat.

"Calm down, child," I sent her, her uneven heartbeat drumming louder in my skull than the chatter around us.

So...they talk. Always talk. If only they knew the truth of that night, maybe they wouldn't be so quick to condemn. But rumors taste sweeter than facts, and fear is a flavor I savor.

"Marshal, you can't."

Alex's voice from memory clawed through my mind.

"Is that even my name?"

"You're too strong now, Marshal. You're at the age where you won't be able to resist the—"

"The urges. I know." I had spat the words at him once. "And I don't care."

He had tried again. "Mar—"

"Enough!"

Enough.

The memory faded, replaced by a sharp voice. "What did you do to her?"

I blinked down to find Karen, arms folded, eyes burning with suspicion. She hated me with a purity that almost amused me.

I leaned close until she flinched. "Oh, whatever could you mean?"

"Did you touch Danielle?"

I laughed. "Would you like me to?"

Her lip curled. "No."

"Sorry, Karen. I don't think it's your choice."

Her nails dug into her arms, trembling with fury. "If you hurt her-"

"You should remain silent," I murmured, my smile sharp.

"You won't get away with this, freak."

I loosened my collar, let their eyes drink me in as I straightened to my full height. The hall had gone still. Every student stared. I licked across my teeth, walking past them slow and deliberate, my hands sliding into my pockets.

Celebrity. Infamy. Whatever the word, it suited me. A group of girls huddled near the lockers. I flashed them my most charming grin. They recoiled, eyes wide with delicious terror. Perfect.

The bell shrieked overhead. School was done. Useless place anyway.

I slipped out the back, thunder splitting the sky above. Lightning flared, painting the pavement in white. Lovely.

"Oh my god, my purse!" a girl whined, shoving her whining boyfriend. Their little drama barely reached me. But the next voice did.

"Mom, no--it's going to pour. I can't get home that fast. Fine, whatever."

She stuffed her phone into her bag, frustration heavy in her movements. Danielle.

I stepped closer, the air tightening. "Miss?"

She jumped, then looked up. "Hol- oh. It's you. Sorry. Hi."

"Hah. Don't you know how to greet someone properly?" I smirked.

"I, I guess..." Her voice trailed like mist.

"You okay?"

She leaned against the wall, crossing her legs, those green eyes dull with exhaustion. "Yeah..."

"Miss. Don't lie to me."

Her lips pressed together. "No."

"Would you like to share your thoughts?"

"It's stupid," she muttered, twisting the hem of her shirt. Her scent reached me: sweet, sharp, impossible to ignore.

"Nothing you say could ever be stupid." My tone betrayed me; I heard the change in it as she lifted her gaze.

"Karen got on me today. About you. Then my mom said she couldn't pick me up before it rains."

I raised a brow. "Your friend doesn't like me. I suspect she'd run me over until I was dust, Miss."

Danielle smiled faintly. "You could say that."

I let the bitterness edge my voice. "As for the ride...I can give you one."

She hesitated, backing a step. My chest tightened.

"Oh, no, it's fine."

"It'd be a pleasure," I tried to say evenly, but the harshness bled through.

Her brow furrowed. "Are you... okay?"

"You smell."

Her eyes widened. "Well, ah...sorry."

I hissed through a grin. "Oh, dear God, I mean, you smell good. Too strong for me."

"Oh."

"You don't have to give me a ride if it's a trouble," she offered.

"No, no. You're coming with me." My voice dropped to a whisper as I caught her hand. Her pulse quickened. She climbed into the car obediently. I closed the door, savoring the way she looked back at me. Then I slid into the driver's seat.

"Seatbelt, Miss."

She clicked it into place, her eyes forward.

"I live a coup-"

"I know where you live."

Her lips parted, but she said nothing, folding her hands in her lap. Rain lashed against the roof, the world drowned in storm.

"Are they true?"

I turned my head slightly, my smile cold. "Is what true, Miss Danielle?"

"The stories."

"Yes."

She shifted, her forehead against the glass, raindrops racing each other down the window. "Can I know why?"

"I just wanted to show them how I felt."

"What did you do?"

I chuckled softly. "Better question: what have you heard?"

She stayed silent.

"I killed them when I was fourteen."

Her head turned sharply.

"Your friend is right. I am bad news."

"How?"

"I slit their throats. Watched their blood paint the walls. I felt no regret. Only happiness. Satisfaction." I paused, the rain hammering harder, blinding the windshield.

"You shouldn't be so open to someone like me. I am everything they whisper," I added.

The light ahead blazed red. My foot pressed the brake. The car slid, tires screaming across wet pavement.

"Marshal!"

Her voice broke, sharp with panic.

"Danielle." My own voice cracked, weak for the first time. The car spun, the world turning upside down, glass shattering.

Her scream was the last sound before the earth rose up and swallowed us.