“I don’t even think that would do it, to be honest, Seth.”
“Right. And that makes sense. But you know, if I could just explain.”
“Is your explanation going to be that I did not see what I totally saw?”
Silence then. And even through the wood, she could tell it was an awkward one. She could almost hear him shuffling, in a way that said yeah, that was totally what he had wanted to go with. Then sure enough, a moment later: “That depends. What do you think you totally saw?”
“You becoming some kind of hideous thing.”
“Hey, I think ‘hideous’ is a little strong.”
Well, at least he’s not denying it, she thought. But she couldn’t be pleased about that. Mainly because she was too busy sweating over the fact that he’d confirmed it. He’d confirmed that he was some kind… of creature. And he’d done it in the most annoying way possible: with his fucking vanity leading the way. “I cannot believethatis the part you’re objecting to.”
“Well, I don’t see why you can’t. The other part didn’t hurt my feelings.”
She snorted, loud enough that he’d be able to hear. “So as long as your ego doesn’t get dinged, you’re fine being some weird whatever that tries to eat people.”
“Okay, first of all: I didn’t try to eat you. I’m just not used to juicy humans being right in front of me when I’m in that state,” he said, and she could almost see the irritation all over his face. And the firm lines he was probably drawing in the air, to indicate howcompletely unreasonable she was being. Even though all he had to add was this: “So certain grabbing instincts very briefly took over. But I swear, I would not have sunk my teeth in. And if I had, I definitely wouldn’t have done anything beyond a little light nibbling.”
To which she couldn’t help throwing up her hands.
“A little light nibbling? Seth, have youseenthose teeth you somehow grow?”
“Despite trying very hard to not, yes, I have. And I accept that they look bad.”
“Bad?They look like Freddy Krueger’s fingernails, you dingus.”
“Oh come on. They’re not that grim.”
“I bet your bottom lip doesn’t say that after being whatever that was,” she said, and meant it as a bit of snark. But the problem was, she had started picturing it now. And picturing it was not funny. It was terrifying. It made her shiver and want to grab a weapon again.
Doubly so when he wasn’t in any hurry to reply.
He could be down there planning his next grisly attack,she realized. About ten seconds before he replied, “One time I woke up, and the bottom half of my face was gone.”
She couldn’t help it after that. She shuffled away from the hatch. Then grabbed the hatstand that still lay beside her, before she responded. “And yet you’re trying to downplay what I saw last night.”
“Well, I don’t want you to be scared of me.”
“I think that ship has fucking sailed, Seth.”
“So let me do what I can to bring it back to dry land.”
“There’s nothing you can do. And even if there was, I would know that you’re only doing it so I’ll let you out,” she said, and more silence followed. Pretty telling silence. That was broken with what sounded like a lot of throat clearing.
It seemed to take him an age to stumble out words.
“Uh, yeah. Yeah. That’s totally the only reason I want you to not be scared of me and trust me. So you will let me out of here,” he said. She didn’t know why, however. It didn’t do a single thing to help him.
“So tell me how that’s enough for me to believe you’re not gonna eat me.”
“All right. How about: I’m totally normal and human again now?”
“Yeah, I’m gonna need more than your word on that.”
“And what other word do you want me to give? It’s not like there’s a committee down here to vouch for me,” he said, then paused. During which time she could practically hear the cogs in his head turning. “Well, unless you count the creepy dolls. But I’m kind of hoping they don’t have the ability to speak.”
She almost laughed. “Maybe they do. In fact, maybe they’re about to burst out of that box and chew your face off.”
