Page 113 of The Sea Witch's Son

I follow the line of my sleeve to the crease pressed against my chest. Breathing in, I let the air fill my lungs as the flawless state of my dress shirt sets the tone for a productive day.

How men roll out of bed looking wrinkled and unkept is beyond me.

The tall hedges of the Queen’s Maze appear to my right, erupting through the forest like some sort of intruder. Men in black uniforms are hard at work, trimming and snipping the bushes to ensure the ferns look as perfect as the queen of hearts pinned to their chest.

I pause, studying the new trails being constructed. There are gaps running along the staggering wall, enabling a passerby to slip through without having to face the treacherous maze.

An opportunity too fortunate to pass up.

Ducking into the broken hedges, I bypass the construction zone and head straight for the country house peeking out of the labyrinth.

For once, the trail to the Heart family’s residence is straight and narrow, the hedges serving as a guide as I walk along the impeccable trails.

The closer I get to the property the more rose bushes appear. Built into the hedges, the blooming flowers offer a sickly sweet smell that has me holding back a grimace.

The mass of red roses resemble a line of executions, blood dripping from each bright head. No colour other than red dots the gardens, and I pity the gardener who tries otherwise.

A large, hulking figure rounds the corner. He’s looking over his shoulder, stumbling over his feet like a complete buffoon.

“Did you get lost again?” Barely holding back my sigh, I slide out from the shadows, “I’ve told you to stay away from the maze.”

Gus jumps, his hands flailing out in front of him as if that would have prevented an attack.

“Dude. You gotta give me a warning.” Letting out a nervous chuckle, Gus looks over his shoulder again, “I thought for sure Chester was going to get me.”

“You thought a seventy-five year-old man was going to get the jump on you?”

“Have you seen the way he climbs those walls? Un-fucking-real man.”

I sigh, glancing down to straighten my shirt, “What are you doing up this early?”

“I was meeting my dad for a workout.”

“The college is in the opposite direction.”

His eyes dart nervously from side-to-side, “I was, uh, meeting up with someone.”

“That someone being?”

“Shit, don’t do this to me.” Gus blows out a breath, “You sound just like my dad.”

I tilt my head, studying the sweat beading along his forehead.

“Have you still not told him?”

He blanks, “Told him what?”

“That you’re gay.”

“Shit, Marlin.” Gus hunches, looking over his shoulder again, “Don’t say it out loud.”

Noticing the white stains on his t-shirt, I fight the urge to roll my eyes.

“Everyone knows, Gus.”

He shakes his head rabidly, “No way. I’m like so subtle.”

“Lionel is filing for sexual assault.”

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