Page 27 of Monsters

“Okay, fine,” I said, giving up the fight. “They must’ve been disoriented after the storm.”

“Here.” Lucas carefully took the wren into his own hands and picked the other up. “We’ll bury them in the morning.”

His kind heart always made me smile. His lips twitched in return, his gentle eyes disappearing as the darkness engulfed him.

Beside me, Mason held his knife up to the light, admiring. “Won’t be needing this.” With a wink of an eye, he flicked it closed and casually slid it into his pocket. “Yet.”

~

Warmth radiated from the rock tingling my skin, the blaring sun sitting high in the sky. Shielding my eyes, I listened to Lucas and Mason banter about the best way to catch fish. In the end, Lucas set up his net in the water while Mason sat perched on a boulder with his knife and a piece of driftwood. Both boys were shirtless. Both boys carried similar blackish blue bruises marring their torsos. Mason seemed unfazed, wearing them like they represented his strength in war. Lucas on the other hand, seemed self-conscious and he tried his best to keep his body turned, hiding the worst of it. He’d debated removing his shirt and I understood why.

We had set up for the day by the stream behind the cabin. The night’s heavy rainfall had replenished the banks, and the glistening of fish could be seen as they navigated the boulders.

“Gem,” Lucas called from the other side of the stream. “Are you coming in?”

Sleepily, I replied. “Tell me how cold it is first.”

A cheeky smile crept over his face, and before I could protect myself, Lucas was traipsing through the water and heading my way.

Bolting upright before I became victim to his shenanigans, I put my hand out to plead. “Okay! Okay! I’m coming in.”

Lucas halted in his tracks, mid-thigh deep in water. “That’s my girl.”

Regretfully, I left the comforting warmth of my boulder and rose to my feet. “What’s the hurry?” I complained. “We’re here all day.” Reaching around my back, I unzipped my dress and pulled the spaghetti straps over my shoulders. Mason, who had been preoccupied with his carving, glanced up and watched through his lashes. His jaw was set strong, eyes once again telling a story.

A story I didn’t want to know.

But one I was becoming all too familiar with.

One I had seen just last night.

In the middle of the night with Lucas and me sharing a bed, Mason on the couch, I woke in need of water. Dust had caught in my throat, and I was plagued with an incessant tickle. I’d sat up in bed and searched for my robe, a chill having fallen over the cabin. Beside me, Lucas breathed heavily, lost in a dream. Silently standing, I let the robe fall over my sleeveless nightie. I’d barely taken my first step when Mason’s rumbling voice stopped me.

“I hope that’s not for my sake?”

I turned, seeing his expectant face illuminated by the glow of the fireplace. He lay stretched out on the couch, one arm hooked under his head, sleeping bag pulled waist high, his muscled chest on display. There was no disguising the salacious tone in his voice or eyes. Swallowing hard, I pulled the robe tighter around my waist and walked to the kitchen counter where my cup and a bottle of water sat.

My history teacher Mrs. Jones had told Joanie once that choosing to ignore would deter her bullies from harassing her. Or perhaps that was just wishful thinking, an easy flippant remark by a teacher too busy to really care.

Pretending Mason wasn’t still watching, I drank in silence, staring out the kitchen window as the tree branches swayed in the wind. The leaves glowed a moonlight silver and glistened from the gentle rain that continued to fall.

I wondered how long Mason had been awake.

I wondered how long he’d been watching me sleep.

Swallowing the last mouthful, I placed the glass on the counter with a slight shake in confidence. Ignoring his watchful gaze, I walked back. With my gown still safely fastened, I crawled into bed, pulling the sleeping bag chin high, palms sweaty with nerves.

“Dick tease,” Mason’s cruelty cut through the silence.

~

The following day, he’s back to being Mr. Innocent. Until now.

The dress slipped down my body, pooling at my feet. Kicking it to the side, I was left standing in my blue bikini. Mason’s lips twitched, his tongue darting out sliding over his bottom lip, the knife twisting idly in his fingers.

This wasn’t such a great idea.

“Gem!” Lucas called my name again.

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