Page 15 of Nightmare For Hire
His dark brows scrunch.
“I’m not from the monster realm everyone is so scared of. I’m from… infinity. The universe. Nothingness. Butnotthat strange place the so-called monsters are coming through. Been there once out of curiosity and will not go back again.” I fake a shiver. “This realm is my preferred one. Human nightmares are much tastier than anything else.”
Cyrus leans forward. “How does that work? The nightmares. How does that sustain you?”
“Oh! I never get to talk about this because everyone is usually freaked out that I’m a Nightmare when they find out.”
“I think it’s fascinating. How do you have a human body? Does it function like mine?”
I tip my head as I think. Trying to remember everything I know about human bodies. “No, to the functioning like yours, at least not everything. I can eat whatever food I want, but it doesn’t nourish me. I don’t exactly know how my anatomy works because I eat and never need a bathroom. So I can at least tell you that. And I have discovered my penis can and does get aroused. Sometimes at the weirdest times.”
Cyrus’s cheeks burn bright red.
“But I do not have semen. Since Nightmares don’t exactly procreate. We just exist.” I wave my hand as if to present myself. “I discovered I’m supposed to wear underwear when I wear a skirt. Apparently, penises are not supposed to be on display when the wind blows or I spin, causing the skirt to rise.”
Cyrus squirms in his seat. “Sorry, I… I wasn’t trying to. That’s not what I meant when I asked that. All very interesting to know.” He nods and smooths his finger over his menu, refusing to look at me.
“Sorry, Cyrus.”
His eyes snap to mine. There’s a fleeting emotion I can’t place. Humans have so many.
“Sometimes you have to spell things out for me because I have no idea what I’ve done wrong. So… no to talking about penises?” I tap my finger to my lips. “Guys usually like that. They get all… lusty looking. But you’re the total opposite. And your eyes are sad now.” I slide down the bench and pout, just a little. “Why are your eyes sad now?”
“I’m sorry.” His shoulders drop. “I’m not very good at this.”
“Hi! I’m Trish and I’ll be your server. Do you need more time, or do you know what you’d like to order?”
“Waffles!” I say. “With all the different syrups.” I pass my menu to Trish.
“Same,” Cyrus says. His smile is back. Eyes not sad anymore.
Trish writes the order down and scurries away.
Cyrus threads a hand through his long hair. “I am genuinely curious how a Nightmare has a human body. Is it an illusion and you’re really a shadow person? Is it—”
“Can I touch you?” I ask. Dani taught me all about consent one night. Not that I’m asking for consent when I need to feed, but Cyrus is awake and I’m not supposed to touch people without their permission… apparently.
Cyrus swallows and holds out his hand, palm up on the table.
“I’m solid.” I drag a finger across his clammy palm. “But I can shift to shadows at will.” The tip of my finger turns black as pitch and twirls into a shadow that goes through his hand as if nothing was there.
He watches me wide-eyed.
“Shadows never have solid form. As forthisbody, it’s like yours, as in it’s the one I have. I didn’t create the illusion of Nox. This has been my human body since I discovered I had one. Nightmares evolved to walk among our prey so we can learn how to feed on them better, learn their fears better. I never felt called to be human often. That is, until the portals started opening. I wanted to see how humans would react, then I wanted to be closer to their nightmares. Now, I just want to learn everything.”
Cyrus’s laugh is rich and fills the booth. “I always want to learn everything, too. Maybe we can teach each other something.”
“No offense, but please do not teach me anything about babies.” I shiver. “I just—why are you a baby nurse, of all things? They’re the most disgusting creatures on the planet, no matter the species.”
He snorts.
Trish is back with our drinks, then she flitters away.
“I didn’t have the best upbringing.” Cyrus goes pale, like… pale pale.
“Are you okay?”
He nods as he grabs his water and takes a few gulps. “I’m okay. But anyway. I know babies will never remember me. They’re entirely too young. But I want to be a bright light in their young lives, even if it’s for a short time. I like making a difference to the most vulnerable of us all. Helping sick babies makes me feel like I’m a good person. I’m just trying to be good.” Cy nods again and takes another drink.
