Page 19 of Demon Rejected

“We arrived." Matt’s voice was barely holding back a laugh as he pulled the tarp away from the truck. This must have been the truck in which he brought me here. It was an older, robust piece of machinery. “I suggest you buckle up and hold on."

I barely had time to do so when he started driving. It felt as if I was a lost pair of keys inside a washing machine. We drove off-road, inside the forest. The truck turned into a tin can that shook me good. The road was my salvation. I couldn’t believe how scrambled my brain felt when the tires finally met the smooth blacktop.

“You okay? You look a bit green around the gills.”

Matt smiled. His face was covered by this fucking serene expression that I would have loved to beat away with a hammer, a sledgehammer if possible. No way would I offer him the satisfaction of telling him that a few more minutes of shaking and I would have lost my breakfast.

A road sign showed the small town of Squirm was right ahead of us.

“They have a Walmart. Not the nicest place, but no one will care about us there. How do you feel about having lunch in town?"

“Sure.”

My stomach calmed down.

We stopped in front of the Walmart.

“Here." Matt gave me a small bundle of cash. “Go, buy yourself what you like. We’ll meet at the diner at the end of the street. I have some stuff to do.”

“Aren’t you afraid that I’ll run off?"

“I am. I would hate for you to do so, but I have to show you some trust if I want you to trust me. I hope you will meet me at the diner."

I took the money and got out of the car.

What the fuck. What was wrong with him? Counting, I saw that he gave me two hundred and forty dollars. It was enough for me to get away, maybe stay at a cheap, sleazy motel for a while. And then what? Then I could get a job as a waitress somewhere. If I go west, maybe California, I could get somewhere, do some modelling.

Pipe dreams.

And what about the wolf? What about what Matt showed me and my feelings? My body was healing at a speed that was not normal for a regular human. I was always a little bit stronger, a little bit faster than all the other girls in my class. Physical exercise came easy to me.

I reached the clothing aisle. I pushed a cart and snacked on chips from an open bag. The salty, greasy food calmed my stomach.

What if this guy is the real deal? What if he can help me learn more about myself and find a way to control whatever was inside me?

I picked a set of panties and sports bras, socks, sneakers, two pairs of grey sweatpants, two sets of t-shirts, and jeans. A thick jacket for the night and two hoodies, a beanie, and a pair of gloves. The PJs were all too pink and girly, so I decided a t-shirt and a pair of sweats had to make do for the night. It was cold up there in the cabin.

I filled my cart with clothes, new stuff that was my size, and I’ll be the first person to wear it. A tingle of excitement made me smile.

Just as I walked through the toy section, I saw a bear wearing a flannel shirt, the same colors as Matt’s. He even had that expression. A bit grumpy and with a hidden smile. I couldn’t stop myself from getting that too.

I left the store with two full bags and strolled towards the diner. I could see it at the end of the street. The diner was there, but the truck was not in the parking lot. I entered and found my way towards one of the boots right next to the window. The bags landed on the floor under the table.

A rather plump waitress walked to me. “What can I bring you, honey?"

“Do you have pie?"

“We have apple and blueberry. I think the blueberry is delicious.”

“Then. I’ll take a slice of blueberry pie and a coffee, please."

“Right away.”

She smiled and left.

I still have enough money to jump on the next bus and leave.

The door opened with the sound of a bell. Matt stood there, looking handsome as fuck. The air was rippling around him in a way that made me feel as if he was the only man in the universe. He saw me and smiled, a big warm smile that melted my bones to the marrow.