Page 7 of Unbinding the Demon
I sat in a small cushioned booth next to a window that overlooked a large duck pond. Little bead-like droplets streamed down the foggy glass, distorting my view like a flowing kaleidoscope of gloom. Tall cattails and lily pads lined the water’s curved edge, surrounded by a few well-spaced sweet birches and sugar maple trees. The raindrops softly fell across the pond, compelling hundreds of little ripples and splashes to whisper across its silvery surface.
I slurped at my steamy drink while gazing out at the little feathered bodies paddling all around. It would have been nice to sit on a bench outside, but the weather wasn’t going to allow it today. So I smiled to myself instead, distantly watching as their fast flipper feet flapped around in the muddy puddles, happily shaking their cute little curved tails and shoveling through the soggy ground with their quacking bills.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught the movement of a large dark figure slipping into the booth across from me. I pried my gaze away from my duck-watching and glanced over in confusion to see who the bozo was that had just barged in at my table uninvited.
“Good morning, Buttercup.”
My eyes practically popped out of my skull... Oh, fuck no.There he was, Mr. insanely good-looking with no sense of social boundaries, and he was smugly sitting right across from me—again. My cheeks started to burn up at the mere memory of the dream I’d had, then at the fact that I’d touched myself to the thought of sexy demon him this morning...Fuck, what the hell do I even say to this guy after that!?
“My name isn’t Buttercup.” The tone of my voice was far snappier than I’d intended, making me regret saying the words the moment they flew from my lips.
“Alright, sorry... Gwendolyn.” He mockingly put his hands up in a defensive manner and scooched a little further into the booth. “I’m happy to see you again. I had hoped that I would.” The most flirty smile danced across his full lips as he ran a hand through his long, silky locks. My heart flipped at the sight, and heat spread throughout my lower stomach.
Good grief, I’m a horny idiot...
“I’m sorry. I’m tired and didn’t mean to sound like that. It’s good to see you too,” I shyly smiled, trying to redeem myself.
Something I couldn’t quite place twinkled in his golden eyes. “Rough night, I’m guessing?” he chuckled with a perfect grin.
“I guess you could say that.” I tried not to blush—I definitely blushed.
A wicked smile curled upon his lips and a pleased expression fell across his features, as if he were proud of something he had accomplished. “I have a gift for you.” He tucked a strand of hair behind his ear and reached into his jacket, pulling out a small forest-green book. He slid it across the table in one fluid motion.
“Oh wow, thanks. What is this?” I was a bit surprised he had something for me, especially since we didn’t actually know each other...at all.
“It’s just some lady’s old journal.” He shrugged. “It might seem boring, but in it she writes extensively about a book that was bound in human skin. I thought it might offer some useful information for your essay.” He raised an eyebrow as though he were trying to analyze my reaction.
“Well, again, thank you. I’ll have to give it a peek and see if there’s anything I can use.” I thought it was strange that he cared about my essay enough to give me a book, but I couldn’t hold back my smile as I reached for it. I was just about to flick open the pages when a loud female voice called my name.
“Gwenny!” A head full of brightly colored unicorn hair came bouncing my way.
Oh, good grief...
It was Cassandra, the loquacious girl from my art class. I’d often secretly fantasize about using a large cork to clog up the non-stop rambling hole in her face. Before I could even get a “good morning” in, she began to spew her self-centered nonsense at me like an alpaca spitting on unsuspecting children having a picnic at the petting zoo.
“Hey, it’s so funny running into you here!” she greeted with an ear-grating laugh. “Ew, is that tea? Pumpkin spice lattes are back in season, you know? Have you started your still-life project yet? I have. Mine’s going to be really good, probably the best out of the entire class. Mrs. Chuong seems to really like me.”
“I’ve started—”
“Wow, you look really tired today, plus that dress you’re wearing doesn’t really flatter you. In fact, it’s quite ugly. You should look into better fashion choices. Maybe I should help you...”
She rambled on for about three more minutes, oblivious to the fact that I had begun ignoring her. I shook my head while stabbing at a strawberry with my fork, then glanced across the table as I bit into it. The guy was resting his chin on his clasped hands, amused by my torment.
One of his large hands stealthily slipped up next to the side of his head where she couldn’t see it; then he started making talking motions like a puppet, perfectly matching her word for word. I couldn’t help but laugh and smile back at him, making Cassandra realize that my attention wasn’t on her.
“Wait a minute, are you on a date?” She pointed back and forth between us, bringing my attention back to her.
“Yes, as a matter of fact, we are,” the man slyly replied, while glancing at me with a devilish smirk.
I abruptly choked on my tea. “I don’t even know your name!”
“No need to be so shy about our love, Buttercup.” He blew me a kiss and then turned toward Cassandra. “We’re so close that she lets me use her bra as a sleep mask to help shade my eyes from the bright morning sun while we cuddle in the nude and rub jojoba oil—”
“What the hell!?”I squawked like a panicked peacock.
“Alright, well, I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone then. You sure are cute together. Even though you’d be much cuter if you both got haircuts.” She judgmentally glanced up and down at the man’s very long hair, not having absorbed anything that I’d just said. “See you in class!” With a wave, she walked away with her Ugg boots clomping loudly across the floor.
“I hope all your friends aren’t like that.” He pointed at her from behind with his thumb. “If they are, please remember that there are dozens of suicide hotlines posted in the library. I could even get you one if you’d like?”
