Page 10 of Guarded By a Monster

I cracked an eyelid a sliver and managed to get the bendy straw into my mouth. I moaned when ice cold water flowed down my throat. As I drained the industrial sized mug, she explained.

“My name is Kendal. I’m a friend of the wyr… man who rescued you.”

“That was a woman?”

She chuckled. “No, sorry. I … got distracted by a nurse outside.”

That made sense. I'd mashed up phrases I meant to say before. Like thanks and it was nothing ended up coming out thanks for nothing.

“Anyway, the doctors think you have a mild concussion and say they’ll release you soon. Do you have someone who can sit with you for a while?”

That was mild? It didn’t feel mild. I sighed. “What time is it?” My stomach plummeted as I remembered Sir Purrs-a-lot in the window. “My cats. I have to feed my cats.”

“My friend fed them while we were on our way here. He said everything was labeled, so you made it easy.”

My entire body slumped. “Thank you.”

“Of course. We wouldn’t leave them hungry. And it’s three in the morning.”

“Then no, I don’t.” Emma would kill me if I woke her up at three a.m. She was not a morning person.

“I know I’m a stranger, but I could stay, if you want. I promise I’m not a serial killer.”

“Isn’t that what a serial killer would say?”

She laughed. “Probably.” Her voice turned serious. “My friend will guard you with his life. Even from me.”

I squinted at her. “That doesn’t sound like much of a friend.”

She smiled. “He’s the best kind of friend, believe me.”

“Will I get to meet him?”

“I hope so.”

“I know I have a concussion, and my brain might not be working well, but you are confusing the shit out of me right now.”

She chuckled. “I’m sorry. It’s just…” She looked up at the ceiling for a long moment before her eyes met mine. “He’s very scary looking, and the last thing he wants is for you to be afraid of him. He’s scared that’s going to happen.”

“Oh.” I wasn’t quite sure what to say to that, so I closed my eyes and focused on the low hum of the equipment in the room. “Have the police been here?”

“They’re waiting outside to take your statement.” I heard her clothes rustle as she shifted in the chair. “This is a lot to ask of you, and you don’t know me from Adam, but I would really appreciate you not mentioning my friend. It would be fine if you did, eventually, for us, but…” She sighed. “The world we live in is very different, and mentioning him will draw you into it faster than I think you want.”

I popped my eyes open. “What, are you in the mafia or something?”

“No! Nothing like that.”

“Super-secret government organization?”

Her face brightened. “Yes! That, pretty much.”

I fell back on my impossibly thin pillow and regretted that decision when my head hit the hard hospital mattress. I whimpered as pain exploded behind my eyes. “Fine. I’ll keep your scary friend to myself. I’ve already witnessed a murder this week. The last thing I want to do is get caught up in some secret government bullshit.”

I heard the door open as the last word left my mouth. I didn’t bother sitting up. It was all I could do right then to keep the meager contents of my stomach where they belonged.

“Colorful language for a kindergarten teacher.”

“I’m not at work, am I?”

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