Page 2 of Nightmare For Hire
“What can you do?” Savy takes Abel’s seat and waves for the poor guy to sit next to me.
“I’m a Nightmare. I can do whatever I want and your silly little government can’t do a damn thing about it. So, what are you offering to keep me in line?” Not that I stay out of line, I’m just annoying them for kicks.
“Well, the visa, of course.” Savy steeples his hands together and leans forward.
“You realize I don’t need a visa to cross worlds or portals or timelines? I can be anywhere and everywhere in less than a blink of an eye.” I turn to Abel. “You are soyummy. You’re absolutely terrified of me, and I’m vibing off the nightmares you’re concocting in your head. I might not have to eat later.” I pop another piece of candy in my mouth. Sour apple. “Are we done here?” I blink up at Savy.
“We are not. You’re not allowed to—” Savy’s eyes go wide as I shift back into the morphing shadows of my true form.
“Fr—Free housing, and all the candy you can ask for,” Abel stutters beside me.
That has my attention. I drop back into my seat in human form.
“Go on.” I wave my hand. “What else?”
Savy looks to Abel and the two have some sort of silent communication where Abel’s getting his butt chewed out.
Finally, Savy looks at me again and passes me a piece of paper. “Choose a tester town and we’ll get you free housing.” He glares at Abel. “All the candy you can wish for, for one year.”
I pout. “Five years. And free housing for as long as the stupid visa program lasts. I want something upscale.” I still think the tester towns are a stupid idea. If humans really think they can keep the so-called monsters out of the rest of the country by telling them they have to have a visa, they are mistaken.
Savy sighs and writes the notes down on a fresh paper. “I’m sure that’s not all.”
“Nope.” I lean into the chair to think about what else I can milk from these guys. “Monthly clothing allowance.” Savy opens his mouth to say something, but I hold up a hand. “I have one outfit and you’re looking at it. If I’m to live among people, I need clothes.”
“Six months, tops.” Savy points with his pen.
I shrug. “Sounds good to me. I’ll also need income.”
“We’re not paying you just to—”
“I’ll protect the town and keep tabs on it.”
The two look at each other.
Abel shrugs. “We have that guy over in Edgewind. He’s doing a good job.” He glares at me. “Andhewas easy to work with, apparently.”
“Ah! Is it Cael? He’s my cousin. Kinda. Sorta.” In that we’re both creatures from before time existed. Before the universe existed, really. I told Cael to milk them for what they’re willing to give him like I’m doing right now, but I don’t think most will even think to do that.
“So we have a deal?” Savy asks.
I tap a finger to my lips. “Let me think about it.”
Both of their mouths drop open. Humans are so fun.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Abel says under his breath.
“Nope. For realsies.” I poof out of the office to float among the clouds and contemplate existence. Personally, I’m content, but bored.Sobored. I get my fill of night terrors whenever I want because there isalwayssomeone sleeping or on the brink of sleep somewhere in the world. But what would it be like to settle down and gather friends? Even if for just a tiny bit of time. Just a smidgen?
I appear back into the office, startling both men. It’s only been seconds to them, but for me I slowed time down to think.
“Okay, let’s do this.”
“You can’t just—” Savy starts.
“I just did. So let’s move on. Like I said, you can’t do anything to me. So might as well let me do what I want. Like I’ve done since before your planet even existed.”
Savy purses his lips together so hard I have to laugh. I grab the paper with the three tester town names. Edgewind, Stonehowe, and Rivenfield. I close my eyes and pick.
