Page 55 of Monsters

When Dad’s footsteps faded, Mom whispered, “Was it Lucas, honey? Did he do something to you?”

“No.” I sobbed harder. I didn’t even know where Lucas was.

“Then what? It seems a bit coincidental that you run off to meet him and then come back in this state?”

“It wasn’t him, I promise.”

Mom sighed heavily and then kissed my forehead. I wanted to tell her everything, but I just couldn’t. I didn’t want her looking at me any different.

“Go on, honey. Go upstairs and wash up. I’ll tell Aunty Lucy her fitting can wait for another time. But I want you to promise that you’ll fill me in on what’s happening. I can’t help if I don’t know.”

“Okay. I promise. Right now, I’m just really tired.”

“You look it.” She gave a small, sad smile, one that tugged on my heartstrings. “Go on.”

The stairs felt like I was climbing Everest. In the state I was in, it was a long, arduous journey. My limbs were dead weights, my stomach churning with anxiety.

On Monday, I would have to see Joanie at school, our friendship hanging in the balance. I needed to distance myself from Mason Carter, but he was having none of it. His hits were low and hard, designed to cause heartache. I wasn’t equipped to deal with the way his monstrous mind worked. Locking the bedroom door, I pulled off my clothes and slipped on my oversized nightshirt. Looking longingly at the bed, the emotion began to surface. Crawling under the covers, I pulled them above my head and sobbed hard into the pillow. I cried so much my chest hurt, salty tears seeping into the cracks of my mouth. Eventually, a raging headache stilled me. Staring into the darkness, the bed sheets clinging to my damp face, I heard the message chime.

I froze.

Mason had a way of turning things I once considered beautiful into something ugly.

On the other hand, it could be Lucas.

Fresh tears welled while I slipped out of bed, cautiously walking to the window. It was dark outside, but across in Lucas’s room, a lone figure stood in the shadows, the breeze moving the sheer drapes eerily around him.

I still couldn’t tell who it was. Lucas or the monster from next door.

I remained motionless.

Watching.

Waiting.

Eventually, he made the first move by offering a small wave, a gesture that quelled some fear. Reaching out, I pulled the message free and tentatively unfolded the paper.

I gulped, and I’m sure he heard.

I caught his stare, a smiling Mason as he moved from the dark shadows to the dim light of the night. Arms spread wide, he leaned against the window sill. His eyes were that of the devil himself, a Cheshire grin proving how proud he was of his efforts. I recoiled from his hold, a malevolent stare designed to crush me.

“Well?” he asked, followed by a spiteful laugh.

The note slipping from my fingers and floated to the floor like a lost feather. Feeling winded by yet another blow, I stumbled toward the bed, climbed in and pulled the covers high over my face. I lay still for what felt like an eternity, attempting to erase Mason Carter’s words. But they persisted. Playing over and over.

That could be you.

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