Page 58 of Make Me Scream

Poor thing.

How am I supposed to sleep?

She’ll get tired.

I hope you’re enjoying this.

She has no idea.

I read through them a few times, my cock stiffening all over again. It takes a while before I finally get online and check out the news coverage.

Call the ratcatcher! New street art suggests return of famed performer

Rory, dressed like a construction worker, kept watch while I painted. The tarp and cones ensured no one passing by saw the mural in progress, and that I didn’t have to worry about any unexpected interruptions. However, should we get caught, Rory’s van was parked close.

Is Alistair Rat back? You be the judge

Pictures of the painting have been posted all over social media.

It isn’t really subtle,Rory said when it was done.

You’re not wrong,I replied.

Painted on a wall adjacent to the display window of an electronics shop, the mural depicts two anthropomorphic mice eating TV dinners while gazing at the flatscreens inside the store. Behind them, the apocalypse rages on — fires and demonic black cats with green, glowing eyes. In the lower-left corner, the interlocking A and R insignia marks it as a piece by Alistair Rat.

Rory asked,What made you want to paint this? What are you trying to say?

That’s simple.

It says:I’m back.

Rush Mundell calls before too long.

“Did you see it?” he asks.

There’s no point in playing dumb.

“Online, just now.”

“Do you think it’s really him?” Rush asks.

That’s an interesting question.

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

“I assumed he’d retired. Didn’t you?”

“Yes,” I lie. Publicly, that is what I tell anyone who asks. Considering Rat hadn’t been active in years, and no one had a better explanation, it was easiest to keep things simple. “I guess he missed the spotlight.”

“So you’re sure it’s really him?”

What, couldn’t Rush tell?

“Sure, as much as one can be, based on the pictures.”

“Right, of course. Are you going to visit the site and take a closer look?”

“As soon as possible.”

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