PROLOGUE

31stMarch

Kelsier38: Hey horror boy, what’s up?

RedRum237: You’re online!

Kelsier38: Couldn’t sleep. Maybe you can tell me a story?

RedRum237: What story?

Kelsier38: How about the one where you tell me all the stuff you want me to do to you when we finally meet?

RedRum237: Oh, THAT story, that’s my favorite

Kelsier38: Mine too

RedRum237: Are you comfortable?

Kelsier38:

RedRum237: Okay, here goes…

1stApril

RedRum237: How did you sleep last night?

Kelsier38: Like a baby. Thanks to you.

RedRum237: Me too.

RedRum237: … I love talking to you on here, but can I ask you something?

Kelsier38: Sure

RedRum237: Are we ever gonna meet? No pressure, it’s just… I’d like to know if this is gonna be an online only thing, or if you want it to be more.

Kelsier38: You know I want it to be more, but it’s… complicated

RedRum237: I know, and I respect that, but unless you’re not who you say you are, then none of those other things matter

Kelsier38: I do want to meet you, I just don’t want you to be disappointed

RedRum237: Why would I be disappointed? I’ve already seen your body – as long as that IS YOUR body

Kelsier38: It is. I’ll send you a pic right now if you need more proof

RedRum237: I don’t want proof. I trust you. I just want to know. If you say no, then fine, I’ll accept that. I don’t want to push you to do anything you don’t want to do. But I feel like I’m in limbo here. Waiting to see if you’ll materialize in real life.

Kelsier38: I understand. I don’t want you to feel like that. And if you want to meet someone IRL, then I won’t be mad. I’ll be jealous, for sure, but I won’t be mad. I have no right to ask you to be exclusive with me when you can’t even touch me.

RedRum237: I do want a real relationship. Even if I’m not ready to come out to everyone yet, I am ready to be with someone. But I’d rather that someone was you.

I know we’ve only talked online, and that I’m in danger of sounding like someone on Catfish who’s engaged to a person they’ve never met, but I really like you. I feel like I can be myself with you, and you get me.

Kelsier38: I feel like that too

RedRum237: So there’s nothing to be scared of. I don’t care what your face looks like. I just want YOU, for real