Page 42 of Monsters within Men
“No. Yes. Maybe.”
Come to my room. You’ll be safe there.
“If you hear screaming, please come running,” Zeke said.
Zeke paused at Noah’s door and his heart stuttered for a beat as Zeke turned to face him. His damp hair, stuck up in messy directions, made him look young and wild. He started to shrug off Noah’s coat, which came down to below his knees.
Noah held up his hand. “You can keep it. Yours isn’t very thick. And I have several.”
Zeke’s usual coat was also fraying at the sleeves, and the zip had finally broken.
“No, no, it’s fine,” Zeke said, trying to push the coat into Noah’s arms.
“Honestly, please, take it. You look good in it.” The words spilled out of his mouth before he had time to clamp his lips together.
This was a dangerous game.
Zeke flushed scarlet, dropping his eyes. “Thanks,” he mumbled.
“Message me if they start fighting and I’ll come immediately,” Noah said, a small part of him hoping that would be the case.
There was nothing else to say, so Noah nodded and slipped inside his room. He stripped off his soggy outfit, dumping his clothes on the small mountain of laundry in the corner. He lay on his bed, resting a pillow over his head, screaming softly into it.
You’re a fucking hypocrite,he told himself, again and again, until he fell asleep.
fifteen
Noah
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
Noah awoke with a pounding headache, which seemed unfair considering he’d only had three drinks. Eight-thirty a.m. The latest he’d woken up in a long time. Were the others up yet? Not for the first time, he felt a twinge of jealousy towards them for sharing a room. He should be grateful for this coveted private space, but he often found the silence unbearable and hated not knowing where his flock was. Dragging himself out of bed, he resisted knocking on their door and went to collect Wolf.
“You look tired,” said Alice, as he approached the kennels. The fresh hay she was throwing on the floor gave the space a summery, earthy smell. Mud splattered her trademark brightly coloured outfit, which always made her look younger than her forty-something years. Her dark eyes twinkled as she said, “I heard there was some drama in the city.”
He groaned. “How do you know that?”
“Newman was here a moment ago, gossiping with Penn.”
“What? How doesTobiasknow?”
Alice held up her hands and shrugged before whistling Wolf’s tune. Often, the dog sensed Noah coming and waited for him at the gate, but not today. He bounded around the corner and charged through his legs, rubbing up against him.
“What was Tobias saying?”
“The usual crap. Don’t let him get to you, Noah.” She leaned down to stroke Wolf. Alice had a soft spot for the dog and was almost as guilty as Noah for treating him like a pet. “Isn’t it your rest day today? What are you up to?”
Dread bubbled up in him. He had no plans beyond suffering through an awkward breakfast. His wristband vibrated. A meeting request from Captain Murphy. Ten a.m.
“Well, that settles that then,” he said.
“Have a good day, Noah.” She caught his arm as he turned to leave. “Look after yourself, okay?”
He smiled at her, trying to put enough energy behind it to convince her he was fine. Hewasfine. Everything was fine.
