Monstrous by Harper A. Brooks

Author:Harper A. Brooks [Brooks, Harper A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-02-09T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter

Seven

Well, this is it. I’m about to die, and it’s not because there’s a supernatural blob of pure night trying to suck the life out of me. It’s because the weight of responsibility is going to crush me.

So now I’m important and the reason is big enough to warrant a conversation. Not just a comment about ‘well, everyone is special, and so you are, too.’ I really wish that would be the end of it. But the way Zane pauses, the slight dip in tone, I know it’s so much more.

But we’re separated and I hate every moment of it.

Why am I important? I don’t understand and none of this makes any sense. I’m still in my pajamas, no idea what to do, terrified. Zane keeps me in his arms, probably making better time than I would on my own. I’m not a runner. I’m not a mover in general.

But apparently I’m a worrier and a monster magnet. Exactly like my momma made me.

No big deal, right?

Hysterical laughter bubbles up inside of me the further we distance ourselves from the apartment. Why not? Why not believe in all of these impossible things, because it sure as hell makes it easier to try and figure out what comes next.

First revelation: my drawings summon creatures that children fear under their bed. And that’s all well and good, but—

Second revelation: those demons want to have sex with me, and I want to have sex with them.

Followed closely by the third revelation: I must have drawn Darkness to Walker in the first place, which means his death is certainly my fault.

Thus, the hysterical laughter.

And now I’m being hauled down the streets of the place I’ve lived my entire life at two o’clock in the morning wearing a new pair of fuzzy pajama pants and a fresh shirt. No bra.

We’re running for our lives.

If I thought my life was never going to be the same…the universe sure showed me.

Finally, Zane slows to a walk and we duck into a side alley so he can catch his breath. He gently sets me down on my feet but I stumble back a step, wobbly and uneasy. His hands are on my shoulders instantly to steady me.

Are you all right, Mari?

He slides those hands down to my arms and squeezes. Keeping me in place. Grounding me.

I glance up at him as his features return to the face I alternately want to see and dread, because Walker stares down at me. Realization hits me hard. He’d died in an alley like this. A freak accident, a single change in direction to get to the park faster, and look where we ended up?

Now it feels like we’ve come full circle, and for what? Darkness is still out there and still wreaking havoc on my psyche.

Zane raises his eyebrow, and although it’s odd to see Walker without the glasses, I can’t stop myself from reaching out and touching his face to smooth the gesture.

“Why him?” I ask. “Why is Walker my

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