At the other end of the alley, the giant scorpion-like monster rounds the corner, clawsclackingon the pavement.
It’s found you.
“Please!” You call to the mysterious hot guy. “Save me!”
He smirks lazily, cracking his knuckles and stretching his arms again like he’s not bothered in the slightest by the sight of an enormous scorpion-monster barreling down the alley toward the both of you.
“Why?” He asks with a smirk, “What’s in it for me?”
4
The Hot Guy Demands Payment
You
Panicked, you blurt, “Whatever you want! Just save me!”
“Whatever I want, huh?” An evil grin lights Mysterious Book Guy’s face as he takes a step forward, then another, pushing you back against the alley wall as if he’s not concerned in the slightest about the giant pinchy monster steadily advancing behind him.
“Um,” you say, glancing over his shoulder as the beast nears. “What do you say we figure out the details later and you take care of the monster now?”
He laughs, leaning in with one hand braced on the alley wall beside your head.
“Why?” he asks beside your ear. “Are you…afraid?”
“Yes!” You lean away, panic and irritation mixing. “How could I not be!?”
Although, maybe this will work out in your favor. Mr. Mysterious Hot Book Dude is standing right between you and the beast, like a human shield. Human—orsomething, anyway. You’re not sure all that glowy emerging-from-a-book stuff is something you should really apply the word ‘human’ to.
And he doesn’t seem worried at all.
Maybe devouring him will distract the monster long enough that you can run away. That’ll be something, anyway.
Not that you actually want to see anyone get eaten today.
Especially not such ahotsomeone.
“Behind you!” You warn, covering your head as the monster rears and lets out a bellowing snarl.
Then it lands back on all too-many of its pinchy legs, eyes flashing red as it prepares for the final charge.
“Fine,” Hot Guy says way too casually, an evil glint glowing in his eyes. “Deal.”
You gulp.
Realization finally sets in: You just offered a perfect stranger whatever he wants. You cringe, already filled with regret, but it’s too late now.
He turns around, cracking his knuckles as he faces the beast.
“Alright, you damn skaddler. Come at me!”
Skaddler?
It does make a loud skitter-scattering noise as it runs, and somehow the name seems oddly fitting.
The beast snarls, rearing up again as it lunges for Mysterious Hot Book Guy with all its claws a-pinching.
You can’t look, certain you’re about to witness him get chopped to bits.
