How to Slay a Beast (Book 1)

Chapter 16

Enoch was tired after the eventful night, but he still wanted to go to school. I packed him his favorite lunch, peanut butter and chocolate sauce, and dropped him off. Then I went shopping and to the cleaners, because I hadn't been and even though Enoch ought not to have run off, I wanted to make him his favorite dinner, pasta. I didn't want him thinking we didn't want him around. When I got home, Matthew, was standing right inside the front door. Waiting for me.

"You startled me," I said, jumping a little.

"Did you know that man?" he asked.

"What man?" I asked, completely confused.

"The one with the gun. The one I hit," he said, "Did you know him?"

"I think he works at the school---I've seen him sometimes when I pick Enoch and Merry and Del up on Fridays---and I might have seen him at the store sometimes---yes I think I have I remember him talking to Merry about a project when we were checking out," I said, nodding, "Why?"

"Have you had sex?" he asked.

"What---no," I said, disgusted at even the thought of that dirty, twitchy person we'd met in the woods.

"He'd slept with you," he said, putting his hand on my throat and backing me up against the wall.

"That is ridiculous, Matthew---I have not been unfaithful to you," I said, putting my hand over his, "You're hurting me."

"You hurt me," he said, very, very quietly.

"No I didn't---I have barely spoken to him I don't even know what his name is," I said, pushing his hands off of me. It took strength but he let me go. "Please, Matthew, you have to believe me."

"I don't have to do anything," he said, pushing me away, "He certainly knew about you."

"I don't know how; like I said I've hardly even spoken to the man except to say hello so I don't---I can't know what you're talking about," I said, "Why won't you believe me?"

"Because it doesn't seem true," he said, turning around and walking down the stairs.

"Where are you going?"

"To find him."

**

"I didn't think you'd come," I said, seeing the boy standing outside the diner.

"I didn't think you would---why aren't you wearing a shirt?"

"Laundry day, they know me here," I said, walking into the diner.

"I guess they would," the kid said, following me in.

"No shirt no shoes no service," the waitress who helped me buy the gun said, leading us to a table anyway. Violet looked at me and looked like she was trying not to roll her eyes. I didn't acknowledge it. I think I'm an embarrassing sort of person to be having a relationship with and I wouldn't want that for her because I respect her.

"I'm wearing shoes," I told the waitress.

"Whatever," she said, putting menus down and walking away.

"I don't eat processed food, except ice cream," I said, pushing away the menu, and leaning across the table, "Now, why are you doing this?"

"You really don't remember me?" he asked.

"No---sorry, I have the brain functioning of a small cephalopod do go on, why should I remember you?" I asked.

"Nothing---no reason I suppose, I'm ordinary---no reason you should remember me---but last night, after seeing you shoot at that thing---then jump in the water when you can't swim---I remembered what you always taught us," he said.