Page 3 of Monster's Pet

“You wouldn’t possibly want me,” I say, speaking only partially with dishonesty. “I’m gross and covered in sweat.”

I can feel the blood running along my cheek now. Its metallic smell fills my nostrils, though it’s ultimately overwhelmed by the salty ocean breeze.

“That’s a lovely notion,” he says, moving closer to me. He moves behind me, and I can feel the distance between us shrinking to almost nothing.

Standing right up beside me, he moves his mouth to my ear.

“But you don’t have any idea what I want,” he whispers.

His mouth inches toward my face. His tongue runs along my cheek, licking the blood from it.

I look into the distance, and see that the eyes of the women are now upon me.

My mind is partially imagining that I’m back in my cove, where I find safety, but most of my energy goes toward trying not to break down here in front of everybody. I can already feel the tears welling up.

Don’t give him the satisfaction.

His tongue lingers on my cheek, and I try to formulate an escape plan.

If I retaliate here, I don’t know what Malachi will do. Women have been killed for far less.

If I want to stay alive, I can’t openly retaliate against his advances.

My eyes curve around, and I see the crying mynah around me. A wicked idea forms.

It’s going to hurt, but it might be the only way.

His hand moves down to my breast, and I can feel his claws digging into me, his mouth still pressed against my cheek.

Rapidly, I swivel my head, pretending to look up at one of the mynah.

The impact is immediate.

My chin crashes into his nose. The thud as I make an impact against his face is loud and satisfying.

He doubles over in pain.

I can feel my chin throbbing, immense and nearly debilitating pain coursing through my jaw. To make it seem like an accident, I overplay my own injury.

“Why?”

It’s all he can bring himself to say. As he hunches over, I can see him struggling. Blood trickles down his face.

I might have broken his nose.

“By the gods,” I say, my voice sounding strained. “I’m so sorry!”

“Go get your rations!”

He picks himself up, and before I can see the full extent of his injuries, walks in the opposite direction.

There’s no way this doesn’t have repercussions.

2

LAIKEN

Sunlight filters down through the water, beams and rays dispersing and suspended around me. I can see the silhouettes of their boats above me as they go about their meaningless lives, oblivious to my existence.

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