Page 22 of Casper
Using Stray to translate, I told them a little about my evening. The concert was decent even though we got kicked out because of me. We ended the night with pizza at Luna’s dorm room. Of course I didn’t go into detail.
“What do you know about her ex-boyfriend?” I signed, waiting patiently for Stray to translate. “He called while I was there.”
Codie’s brow furrowed. She tapped her fingers on the coffee table, her expression confused. “Luna has dated here and there in the time that I’ve known her but no serious boyfriend that I’m aware of. We didn’t become close friends until after high school though.”
Cutting the conversation short, I said goodnight and headed downstairs. If Codie didn’t know who this guy was, what did that mean? Had Luna hid him from her friends? Why would she do that?
I was too worked up to go to bed yet. My mind was all over the place, making it impossible to tackle homework. Instead, I went to my bedroom and closed the door. Sitting heavily on the bed, I stared around my bedroom.
A small bookshelf against one wall loaded with my favorite books over the years and a few decorative items, like a black cat statue with devil horns. A dresser with the TV across from the bed. Bedding that was all black. A framed picture above the bed of a woman who’s long dark hair hid her face from view. A white wolf at her feet. I found it at a market where people sold alternative arts and crafts. Gothic stuff.
Reaching under the bed, I pulled out a length of rope, staring at it for a long time before my hands began to work as I fashioned it into a noose. Not because I planned to use it, but because it made me feel better for some reason. To look at it. To hold it. Kind of like holding the gun to my head. It gave me a twisted sense of power.
Would Luna still look at me with empathy and intrigue if she knew? Would she look at the man holding the gun to his own head with anything other than horror?
I didn’t expect anyone else to understand. I didn’t even understand it myself.
Unable to resist, I slid the noose over my head. Closing my eyes, I focused on the way the rough rope felt against my skin. What would it feel like to string myself up? How long would it take? Would there be time for regrets?
I tossed the noose back under the bed and left the room. The small workout area in the living room space I shared with Dom had a punching bag in the corner. It felt good to beat the shit out of it for a while. Letting off some steam and releasing the beast from its cage. Although it wasn’t as satisfying as fighting a real person.
When Dom descended the stairs half an hour later, I motioned him over. His dark hair was disheveled, his T-shirt ripped.
“What the hell happened to you?” I signed, wondering where he’d been.
“Bar fight. Nothing special. What’s up?” He lied through his teeth.
I didn’t call him out on it though. I was wrestling with demons of my own. It wasn’t my place to pick apart anyone else’s.
I motioned for him to take a swing at me, signing, “Want to spar a little? I could use the release.”
Dom inclined his head to one side, a puzzled expression on his face. “What’s with you tonight? Didn’t you have a date with Luna?”
I nodded. When he didn’t make a move, I gave him a push. If anyone understood the beast inside me, it was Dominik. He seemed to understand that I held something within me that couldn’t always be contained. Something that would eat me alive if I didn’t feed it.
Playing along, he shoved me back. We took turns pushing one another until finally I threw a right hook that grazed his chin. Dom chuckled, a low devious sound. His dark hazel eyes lit up with the fire inside him.
“You’re really asking for it, huh?” He shrugged, taking a swing at me that connected with my face.
I stumbled back a step, grinning through the pain. Raising my hands, I beckoned him for another. When he hesitated, I stepped forward and slugged him in the chest. That did it.
Dom nailed me again in the face. Busting open my lip so I tasted blood. Fuck that felt good. Wanting one more, I took another jab at him. His next punch hit me square in the nose. No blood but a fuck ton of pain. My ears rang. Adrenaline pumped through my veins. Exactly what I needed. I raised a hand, indicating that I’d had enough.
Dom snickered, heading to his bedroom. “You are one crazy bastard, Casper. Never change, dude.”
I didn’t think I could if I wanted to. Life had shaped me, making me what I was. I’d spent my teen years wishing I was different. Wanting to be like everyone else. Once I became friends with these guys, I’d stopped that shit. Accepting myself and learning to live with the past. There wasn’t shit I could do about it now anyway.
Enjoying the way my face throbbed as the adrenaline began to subside, I flopped down on my bed with my laptop. After a little surfing, I found exactly what I wanted and arranged for pick up in the morning.
It took a while for me to fall asleep. Not even a few episodes of theGolden Girlshelped. Several times I rolled over and grabbed my phone off the side table, thinking about texting Luna. Then I would decide against it.
By the time morning rolled around I’d managed a few hours of chaotic sleep. I grabbed a coffee in the kitchen, nodding along as Codie chattered while toasting a bagel. I finished my coffee and headed out to the local electronics shop to pick up my order. I’d be missing my morning classes. Since I was taking human biology, it would be easy enough to catch up later.
I waited until I was sure that Luna had left her dorm room. Letting myself into the building was easy enough. A guy that lived inside had given me his security code. For a price. Money well spent.
Lock picking wasn’t my forte, but after a little tinkering with Luna’s door, I was inside. I glanced around at the empty room. Her enticing scent hung everywhere. Lavender. Sweet and inviting.
I surveyed the room, looking for the right place to stash the tiny camera I’d purchased. I’d promised to protect her, and I would do that, no matter what it took. Even if that meant keeping an eye on the place in case this so-called ex decided to come around.
