The Monster

CHAPTER 8

THE MONSTER

AIDEN

“We apologize for any inconvenience this must have caused.” My eyes run through the last words of the email and I slam my laptop shut. I an trying not to feel too disappointed but I’m failing miserably.

Yet another manufacturer has declined, yet another dead end. I study the blueprint next to me with a deepening frown. The designs for my solar powered cars are basically complete however there is still a monumental problem; I have yet to find a manufacturer that creates such powerful yet small solar panels like I designed in the prints. In stallion automobiles the design and aesthetics of the car are very important. Nobody wants to drive a car with a giant solar panel just sitting on top.

“What should I do?” my father and I planned to launch this car within the next three years but now it seems it will have to be delayed further. How hard is to make a compact solar panel?!

Brrrrr!!!

The alarm goes off causing my to heart race with excitement. Its 11:00 that means in just one hour I’ll be meeting Elian. I race to the shower trying yet failing to calm my erratic nerves. After our first meeting I no longer wear jeans when we go out. today I ware black cotton shorts and a matching hoodie. The weather is a little bit on the warmer side today so it should be fine.

I sit on my bed watching the seconds tick away until it finally clocks twelve. My belly is tied in knots and my legs feel like they cannot hold my weight up. Why do I feel so nervous? Is this normal? Or is it just me? I take in deep breaths, trying to steady myself but it only makes me more anxious. What if he isn’t there? I wonder as I sneak out of the building, what if he realized how stupid this is? How stupid I am?

I get to the chosen wall but he is not there. My already shot nerves go into frenzy leaving me trembling despite the warmth. Calm down Aiden he will come. No he won’t. He said he will. He lied to you. He will be here. No he will not. Just wait a little bit longer. Go back now. You just got here wait a few more minutes. Even if you wait an eternity he will never come. He will come. No he will-

Crunch!

A twig snaps I whip my head around to find Elian tiptoeing towards me, trying to avoid any more fallen branches. The rush of relief I feel is indescribable. Today he’s not wearing a uniform but black sweat pants and a tight t-shirt that hugs his arms and chest. I can now see the reason why he is so agile.

He offers me a warm smile when our eyes meet. ‘Hi’ he signs.

‘Hi’ I sign back with shaky hands.

‘Nice fit bro.' he gestures to my shorts.

My face heats up, ‘Thank you.’

“…missed you so…” a voice suddenly drifts into my ears.

Elian panics, hurriedly pulling me behind a bush.

‘The damn guards again.’ He signs watching the approaching figures.

However very quickly we realize why they cannot possibly be guards. The two figures are in each other’s embrace, whispering things to each other as their mouths meet in a heated kiss. My cheeks heat up, I know I should look away but I can’t. I watch them with rapt attention curious about their identities. My jaw drops when I can finally see who they are; Mario and…Janet? Mario is 25 years at the maximum and Janet is aunt Clara's age mate. How? Why? I turn to Elian; his reaction is identical to mine.

‘Who the fuck is that?’ he asks, gesturing to Mario whose hands roam freely on Janet’s body.

I swallow, feeling all shades of awkward as I pull my eyes away from them, ‘that’s Mario he’s a security guard here.’

‘Does he work with you?’

‘Well, something like that.’ I should have Elian about my real identity by now but I don’t want to make him uncomfortable. I don’t want to give him any reasons to not see me.

“Mmmmmm...” Janet moans wildly as Mario’s hand slips under her top.

My eyes widen with shock at Janet’s wanton behavior. This is the same Janet who tucked me into bed when my mother was shit faced drunk, the same Janet who looks at girls whose skirts are one inch above their knees with disgust, the same Janet who would never miss a church service and the same Janet who would rather die than have a little bit of cleavage showing. Since Elian and I met, I’ve been having trouble accepting reality, this experience definitely adds to my specisim.

‘We should leave.’ Elian signs, yet his eyes remain glued to them, a wry smile on his lips.

‘Ok.’ I reply. We unfortunately have to wait a bit longer for the duo to get…farther before we tip toe to the wall. We try to be as quiet as possible even though it takes us triple the time. Fortunately Janet’s moans are louder than the crunching of leaves and by some stroke of luck we manage to make it over the wall without being seen. I guess Mario is a very gifted man.

‘That was wild.’ Elian signs as we safely reach the other side. The odd smile still on his lips.

‘Indeed.’

‘Seemed like you enjoyed the show though.’

‘I did not!’

‘Seemed like it to me though.’

‘Janet is like a mother to me! Why would that amuse me?’

He only grins wider, ‘I don’t know you tell me.’

‘You are really asking for a beating Elian.’

He bursts out laughing, ‘anytime Aiden.’

I roll my eyes seems like I have to pay a price for his company. I am yet to figure out if it’s worth it or not. We lapse into comfortable silence, walking towards the playground.

‘Can we go somewhere else today?’ I ask nervously. I hope he is not offended my suggestion. I study his face carefully but he doesn’t seem upset.

He halts, ‘oh? Where do you want to go?’

‘I don’t know somewhere we don’t need to think.’

‘So you’re breathing fine today then?’

I blush, ‘yes.’

‘A bar then? We can get some drinks.’

‘Yes, please.’

Elian reaches in his pockets, his brows furrowing slightly.

‘What’s the problem?’ I ask. did he suddenly change his mind? I won't be surprised.

‘Things are too expensive in Silkview I don’t think I can afford drinks.’ He signs with an awkward laugh.

‘Oh that’s no problem I will pay.’ I bring out my wallet to show him.

‘Are you sure? It’s probably like fifty dollars for a bottle of beer.’

‘I will pay.’

After some more coercion he finally agrees. We board a cab and ride into the city. Even though it’s already midnight, there are still some passengers out and about.

‘Do you know any bars open at this time?” Elian asks.

‘Yes I know a few.’

‘Oh, so you go to bars a lot then?’ he signs, wriggling his eyebrows.

I wish, ‘no I’ve just heard about them.’

He seems puzzled by my answer but doesn’t ask any more questions, thank God.

Finally we get to the bar. It’s a bar called ‘The Inn’. I heard the design is taken from pubs and inns in the early 1800’s. An old acquaintance of my father built the bar himself and invited us for the opening but of course I didn’t go. However any time we passed by here I always found myself staring at the Inn's doors with fascination wondering what lies beyond but not having the guts to go in. Aunt Clara is right, my life sucks.

‘Are you alright?’ Elian asks peering into my face. Unlike Aunt Clara I cannot keep my expression neutral in front of him. I don’t know why.

‘I just feel a little nervous.’ I reply trying to avoid his prying gaze. I am honestly out of my mind. Why did I think I can just casually walk into a bar? Who on earth do I think I am? A normal person?

‘You don’t like public spaces?’ he asks gesturing to the bar. From here, we can already hear soft music playing inviting us inside.

‘yes.’ I reply.

‘Don’t worry its midnight I doubt there are a lot of people here and if anyone gives you trouble, I’ll punch them in the face.’ he flexes his muscles for effect.

My face heats up, ‘thank you.’

‘Do you want me to hold your hand?’

I stare at his large hands with hesitation; I do want him to hold my hand, ‘no thank you.’

He coughs, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. ‘Alright let’s go in then,’ he makes a move but my feet are rooted to the ground.

Maybe I should have taken him up on his offer.

‘Aiden?’ he stops his hand within reach of the door.

‘I can’t let’s just go back.’ I turn to leave. I’m still a coward as always, I am so stupid for bringing us all the way out here, I’ll never be-

Elian’s warm hands suddenly wrap around mine pulling me back, I look up into his eyes but there is no anger, no judgment, just pretty, pretty blue eyes, ‘we’ll go in together alright?’ he signs with a warm smile.

I nod, I can’t even move my hands to sign, my entire body feels like its set on fire and my body won’t listen to me. I’ve gone into several crowded buildings before, what’s so different about this one? Maybe It’s because this isn’t just any building; it’s a building intended for socializing and having fun, something that is too intimidating for me. Suddenly the wooden doors morph, turning into two ferocious monsters with mouths wide open, ready to devour me if I take a single step towards it.

Elian waves his hand in front my face I drag my eyes towards him, instead of the hungry doors.

‘Aiden you’re trembling’ he signs eying me with concern, ‘it’s alright we don’t have to go in.’

But I do though, I want to go in. I want to see.

‘Everybody gets afraid sometimes,’ he continues ‘it’s what we do despite the fear that really matters.’

Nice speech Elian. But the monsters are still there and they look even hungrier.

He pauses for a moment, thinking. Maybe he’s finally realizing how crazy I am, how stupid and worth-

‘Have you ever heard of the five minute rule?’ he asks.

I nod, of course I have.

‘Good, we’ll do exactly that. We’ll go in for just five minutes, two minutes even and if you really hate it we’ll leave immediately.’

I stare at the door, willing for the monsters to go away. Elian steps in front of me, blocking them. He smells like after shave and sweat. But it’s not unpleasant. It’s not unpleasant at all. Unconsciously I take a step towards him.

‘It’s just two minutes Aiden, just two minutes.’

‘Just two minutes?’ I ask with heavy hands.

He takes both my hands in his; a warm smile perched on his full lips. He nods, holding up his middle and fore fingers.

I can do two minutes. I grip unto his fingers like a lifeline, eyes tightly shut we walk towards the monsters.