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Well, he’s definitely the more violent one.
“What do you want?” the man whispers, gripping a table behind him so hard it creaks. “I don’t owe you anything. I talked to Nathan–”
“Youliedto Nathan,” Arlo interrupts, clucking his tongue at the man disapprovingly. “Which I can’t say is a great idea, all things considered. Did you mean to lie to him, or did it just come out?”
“It just…I mean, I didn’tlieto him,” the man stammers. “I don’tlie–”
"Well, you weren’t very truthful,” Ezra hums, closing the door of the cabinet hard enough that the glass rattles in its frame. “And now you owe him, don’t you think? For being a good sport?”
The man steps back, not realizing the table is behind him, and nearly knocks it over. Luckily his grip steadies it, but he still looks between the two of them as his breathing becomes labored like he’s running a marathon.
“I don’t have any cash on me,” he hisses at last, and I canseethe sweat beading on his forehead as he forces out the words. “I can’t pay you two–”
“We’re not asking for payment,” Arlo assures him, hands raised as if to calm him down.
“Then what do you want?”
“For you to agree to be a good boy and settle what’s owedtomorrow.”
“But tomorrow’s so soon. You really think–”
“Would you prefer to say you’re not going to pay him and have me take it out on you now?” Ezra interrupts. “No one’s going to be upset if I do. And I've beenreally boredtoday, so…” he trails off and steps forward, sweeping his hand along another glass display. “Just tell me you don’t intend to pay tomorrow, and we can skip ahead in the script for you.”
The man starts to shake, and the beads of sweat begin to run down his face. It’s not cold in here, so that’s definitely from fear, and all I can do is watch his myriad of reactions with interest. I’ve never seen someone this afraid before. Or, at least, not before they were tied to a chair and getting their appendages chopped off.
I guess this is thebefore kidnapstage of things. And maybe the next part of this guy’s storywillend with him in a chair, in a dirty cabin, having to choose between a quick death and Ezra playing with him.
I’d definitely choose the quick death, now that I know the things Ezra is capable of.
“Okay,okay,” the man agrees finally, holding his hands up in surrender, much like Arlo is doing. “Please don’t let him touch me.” The plea is giventoArlo instead of Ezra like he thinks Ezra is no better than a rabid dog instead of a person. “I’ll take the money to Nathan tomorrow, all right? Just stoplookingat me like that, Jesus.”
Ezra looks at Arlo, who grins in a very friendly fashion. Seconds later, Ezra matches the expression and steps back to stand beside me.
“Thank you so much for being understanding,” Arlo says, giving him a little mocking bow. “We really appreciate it, and I’m glad this was just a friendly chat. Though, you know it won’t be so friendly if youdon’tpay him, right, Marlon?”
“Yes, I…I’ll pay him. I’ll give him the money, justgo. Please,” he adds, biting out the word. “I don’t want…” his eyes drift to Ezra again, who hitches the grin wider on his lips. “I don’t wantthat,” he whispers and nods toward the psychopath.
“Just settle your debt, and we won’t have this chat again, then,” Ezra says, turning towards the door. I follow him, surprised at how smoothly that went and that there was no blood.
Once outside with Ezra, I survey his face and see that he’s dropped his false, terrifying cheer. “Do you like doing that?” I ask, unsure of how to read his expression.
Ezra, who’d been watching Arlo through the door, hums in his throat and flicks his light green gaze to mine. “Hmm? Yeah. I do. I like it when they don’t listen, but he will. Everyone just needs a little reminding once in a while of what it means to be in, uh, the Chancellor’s circle; I guess you could call it.”
“Guess I should be glad I don’t owe you money then, huh?” I laugh as Arlo starts to come through the glass door towards us.
“Oh, I’d cover your debt,” Ezra assures me, grin turning sly. “For a fee, obviously. A very high, very long-lasting fee.”
“Does it have anything to do with breaking into my apartment?”
“That would be just the beginning, Ari darling.”
I don’tmeanto fall asleep watching a movie in the upstairs lounge ofInkubus. One minute I’m stretched out, head on Ezra’s lap, and the next, I’m suddenly passedoutto the background of screams and loud stabbings coming from the television.
When my eyes open and find the television again in the darkened room, I’m not surprised to see a man lifting a chainsaw above his head and shaking it, the sewn-on skin of his face dangling as he revs the machine in his hands. I’ve always enjoyedTexas Chainsaw Massacre. Even the remakes. This is, indeed, one of the remakes that aren’t normally popular with the masses, I’m surprised to find, and wonder if Ezra and Arlo have fallen asleep as well.
A soft gasp that definitely didnotcome from the TV, followed by a chucklingshhh,makes me think that, just maybe, they aren’t so asleep.
As subtly as I can, I move my head that’s on a pillow instead of Ezra and look down at the love seat that sits caddy-corner to the sofa I’m on.
