And myself for thinking that he ever had any good ideas.He thought riling up pets to make scare videos was fun.It was easy money until he hemorrhaged magic all over the place.As soon as they opened a specialist slot, I was willing to bet my brother’s life that Crispin would apply.
Killing my brother also eliminated my brother-roommate problem.Yesterday he’d eaten all the leftovers I’d made, so I didn’t need to cook after work.I may have lost my shit, and he may have dropped half his tail.He’d then called our mother, which did not improve the situation.
Calling her never improved anything.She used to be a Bridge Guardian, and she didn’t put up with any shit.The only reason I hadn’t shed my tail was because I took after Dad in that regard—I froze.I’m not sure which response was worse, but at least I didn’t have to explain that I’d dropped half my tail because I ate my brother’s food, and he was furious.
This was one of those days when I’d turned up to work but wasn’t feeling it.I’d clocked in, hoping for no drama as I ran the checks and gave the windows a half-hearted rattle.
Grrr…beware of monsters.
Whatever.
Honestly, I just wanted this stretch to be over so I could enjoy some downtime, which I’d spend looking at apartments that I couldn’t afford.If I moved out, my brother would have to find another flatmate to afford the place.He might find it easier to keep a flatmate if he wasn’t such a dick.
I slid out from beneath the girl’s bed.She was sleeping.She wasn’t causing any trouble, and I wasn’t in the mood to give her a scare either.Though it might make me feel better…
The house seemed strangely empty.Was she alone?I wouldn’t wake her if she was.What kind of parent left their child alone at night when anyone could sneak in?
I bounced through the wardrobes and cupboards, checking who was home.The parents’ room was empty.The man who’d given me such a lovely show a few nights ago was sitting on his bed, fully dressed and staring at his laptop with the dog lying on the bed next to him.That was better than sleeping.Maybe he was watching porn and thinking about getting naked.
Or I just needed to find a hookup after I finished work...
Bunny growled, and the man glanced up.He frowned and tapped the screen.The dog’s growl deepened, and she stared right at me, lurking in the wardrobe.The door wasn’t sturdy enough to protect me if the dog launched herself at it, and the gap where it didn’t close was suddenly far too big.
I watched him for a moment longer, then decided that creating a little havoc might be a way to blow off some tension.I jumped into the laundry cupboard, where I climbed out and knocked over the dog biscuits.Then I pulled the cushions off the sofa and tore the corner of one with my claw.
Finally, I slammed a couple of doors before returning to the kids’ room.Her light was off, so swathed in the shadows, I darted from the wardrobe and slid beneath her bed.
She screamed, as if she’d seen me.
Bunny barked and raced up the stairs, her feet scrambling over the floor.She wasn’t the only one.The young man’s footsteps followed close behind.
It was time for me to depart, but I waited, needing to know what he’d do.
He flung open the door with a sigh.“What is it this time?”
“I heard something.”Her voice trembled.
“Bunny barking at her own reflection.”
Bunny sniffed the wardrobe and made her way over to the bed where I hid.I pulled the shadows tight around myself, ready to cross the bridge.
“I don’t want to sleep in here,” she whimpered.
“There’s nothing in here.”He opened the wardrobe.“See?The house makes weird noises.All houses do.”
She sniffed.“I didn’t like the noises in my old room either.Mom let me sleep with her.”
“Your mom’s not home yet, and you’re not sleeping with me.”
Bunny got on her stomach and growled.I’m sure she saw me, and if she were smaller, she’d be wriggling under the bed to bite me.
“There’s something under the bed,” the kid squealed.
Bunny shoved her head under the bed, snapping and trying to bite me.
Definitely time to go.I’d check back later.
Chapter6
