Page 38 of Monster

I was really gonna do this. It wasn’t a line I had ever crossed before, but I found myselfnotfeeling conflicted over that.

Perhaps whatever humanity was left in my heart was reserved solely for my sons.

Unluckily for her.

“Go get ready,” I said. “We’re leaving the hotel.”

“Oh.” Something shifted in her eyes, but it was gone before I could really make out what it was. Disappointment, perhaps? Did she not want to leave the hotel room?

I didn’t know.

I was usually good at reading people, but when it came to this girl, I found myself… lost.

I moved back from the bed when she threw her legs to the side and climbed off the bed. She was still wearing the same clothes as yesterday, and her hair was a mass of messy waves falling everywhere.

I watched her for a second, and a knock came just in time for me to get out of my thoughts.

I turned away and went to answer the door, vaguely aware of her making her way into the bathroom.

I opened the door to the chirpy face of a boy no older than Kai, and watched as his smile slowly disappeared as he recognition moved in his eyes.

I smiled and stepped aside for him to push the cart holding the breakfast I had ordered.

He hesitated, looking at the threshold of the room before bringing his attention back to me.

My smile widened when he noticeably swallowed, slowly stepping into the room.

What an amusing little man.

What did he think I would do to him?

“Enjoy,” he said quietly, trying to head out the door.

“Wait,” I said.

He tensed and turned to me.

“Don’t you want your tip, boy?”

His eyes widened. “O-only if you think it’s appropriate.”

I smirked and reached into my pocket for a crisp hundred-dollar bill.

He seemed surprised when I slapped it in his hand. “T-thank you.”

Then he was out the door, as if the devil himself was chasing him.

I chuckled and closed the door.

Movements from behind caught my attention, and I turned to see Emmy standing there.

Her eyes seemed brighter now that she was able to wash away the sleep, and her hair was a little more tamed. I almost missed the just-got-out-of-bed look on her, but the little wildcat was coming home with me.

I was sure there would be plenty of opportunities for me to catch her like that.

“Why are you smiling like that?” she asked timidly.

I wondered if she was a timid person by nature, or if she was timid by the situation and by me.

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