Page 46 of Like An Animal
Not a single word.
It’s the strangest thing because I’m usually the most silent person in a room, but he is tied with me for that position. Even Tiernan and Rian have been whispering back and forth.
Not the serial killer though.
“Don’t be offended by him not talking. Damien doesn’t talk,” Finn offers casually.
“How do you communicate with him if he doesn’t talk?” Massimo asks and I slam my elbow in his side.
That was fucking rude. He used to dodge similar questions about me when we were kids so he fucking knows better.
Finn narrows his eyes at Massimo, before eyeing me skeptically. “He’s not blind, dumb, or deaf, asshole. He can hear everything you’re fucking saying. He just doesn’t use his voice to speak.” Then, I look behind Finn and see Damien using sign language with the others. They seem to be absorbing every word he signals.
I am, too.
I swear, if the dumb shit doesn’t stop with the even stupider questions, I’m going to bash his brains into the cement.
I let out a whistle to get their attention, specifically the attention of the psychotic killer with about as high of a body count as I have. He looks at me and narrows his eyes, his brows dropping to darken his features.
Using my hands, I sign back to him.
Feel free. He knows better anyway.
I didn’t learn sign language because I needed to know it. I learned it out of a thirst for knowledge. I don’t talk because I don’t want to. I don’t have anything worth opening my mouth over. It’s not a disadvantage or a disability, though it may look similar to Damien’s circumstance.
It’s not.
I take a single step back to let them know I’m serious. Massimo may be one of my best friends, but he’s also a majorasshole half the time and I don’t put up with the ableistic bullshit.
Will I kill him for it? No, but I won’t stop them from doing it either.
“What did you say to him? Hell, what didhesay?” Massimo asks, looking very freaked out.
I shrug, not giving him an answer.
However, Damien just stares at me as if he doesn’t know if I was being serious or pulling his leg. I don’t joke around, definitely not about killing people.
“Is he joking? He’sjoking, right?” Tiernan suddenly speaks, looking around at the others like I’ve suddenly gone mad.
I haven’t.
I’ve been crazy for a long fucking time.
Massimo may be one of my only friends, but the amount of time we’ve known each other doesn’t matter. Anyone is expendable, except my woman. She can’t be replaced, which is why we’re here in the first place.
“He’s not joking, T,” Finn states, seeming as unsettled by what I said as everyone else…well, except Damien. He seems pleased at the idea of killing Massimo.
“Joking about what?” Massimo asks, completely freaked out.
“Letting him kill you for being an idiot,” I mutter.
“What?! Why would you do that?”
“Maybe because I lack a conscience or because you pissed me off by flapping your lips.” Does the reason really matter? It doesn’t change the action itself.
“We’re in Grove Hill, Jeremy. You know the rules and so does Damien.”
Then, I catch sight of the psycho killer pouting as if Finn just took away his favorite toy.
