Page 35 of Lunatic
“You aren’t even going to rest for the night?” I ask Heather.
“Nope,” she says, as she throws a rock from the handful she collected somewhere along the way.
“Do you want to know why? Well, I’ll tell you. As long as they are alive, there are other victims being born as we speak. If I don’t do something about it, who will? Fucking nobody, that’s who. If someone would’ve stepped up and stopped these assholes, I never would have been married to my own father.”
Raven says, “You probably would’ve never been born.”
“I would’ve been better off,” Heather says, at the same time that Raven says, “There’s lights, up ahead.”
I don’t know what to say to her last statement, so I stay silent, despite feeling the need to comfort her. There isn’t anything I can say in response that would be helpful.
The emotion bubbles inside my chest, as I realize I have to say goodbye to the only friend I’ve had in years. Sullivan isolated me. I feel the bile rise in my throat, when I think of the man that told me that in therapy. Dr. Martin. As if he feels me pulling away, Raven tightens his hold on me.
“When will I see you again?” I ask Heather.
She shrugs and continues walking.
“Raven said he’d get us phones. We’ll keep in contact that way, and once this is all dealt with, I’ll find you, so we can hang out like normal fucking people.”
“You mean not talking through vents?” I say, through a weak laugh.
“Exactly,” she agrees and throws another rock, hitting a tree. Raven starts walking faster and says, “Fucking finally. Burger Barn. Time for you to eat, Lunatic.”
Raven sets me on my feet, takes my hand again, and we walk into the fast-food restaurant. The immediate smell of burgers and fries make my stomach growl loudly.
“I’m going to the bathroom. Bianca?” Heather asks, and I nod as I follow her. Raven follows behind us, and I turn to him with a raised eyebrow. He doesn’t think he’s coming to the bathroom with us, does he?
Crossing his arms over his chest, he says, “I’m going to wash my hands, and I’ll be right back.”
We walk into the bathroom, and Heather laughs.
“I don’t think he’s been in love before. You’re his first, and you know what they say about first loves.”
Shaking my head, I walk into the stall and take care of business, as I tell her she’s crazy.
“I’m not his first. Maybe he’s never been in love before, but he definitely isn’t now.”
I flush the toilet and walk out, to find her gaping at me as she dries her hands.
“He wouldn’t leave without you. This totally straight man made another dude suck his dick, just so you could get your revenge which, by the way, was kind of hot. It was clear he did not want to do it, but he did for you. I saw the look on his face when he thought you might already be dead. The man is as in love with you as he is capable of. It’s why he’s waiting on the other side of the door right now. He’s terrified that you’ll disappear. Right now, that’s the worst thing that can happen to Raven. Because he’s in looovvveee.”
The way she sing-songs the last part makes me laugh, as I step forward and wash my hands.
“Well, I don’t love him. I could never. Raven is a dangerous psychopath, and he’s not capable of love. I will not allow myself to fall for another man that can’t love me back.”
The door nearly rattles with banging, followed by an angry sounding Raven.
“Ladies! Let’s go,” he barks, making us both jump, and I open the door. We walk out in silence. He goes to the counter, and we stand quietly while he orders enough food for ten people.
“We’ll bring it to you,” the lady says, while smiling at Raven. I roll my eyes as we walk over to a table with four chairs. Raven sits beside me, and Heather takes a spot across from me.
The lady brings over three full trays of food and drinks. My eyes nearly bulge out of their sockets. It has been so long since I’ve seen this much food.
“Eat what you can. We’ll take the rest with us, so we can be sure you have food later. I ordered extra for your friend too,” Raven says.
I unwrap a hamburger and take a bite. It’s delicious, and the first food I’ve had since the human heart Dr. Martin forced me to eat.
“So, Heather’s going wherever. Where are we going?” I ask between bites.
