A gentle touch to my forehead. Ex’s eyes on me. I am warm, despite the winter cold. I am warm and I am safe and I am happy. Roach glows with contentment. I close my eyes to savor the sensations: his touch and the familiar rumble of his voice. “Mmhmm…” I murmur absently, already distracted by some sound out in the forest. The moment passes – as they do – and I watch anxiously as he turns his attention back to our guest. The female silently observing us. Third wheel, she is.
I am more malleable now that my brother is at ease, and I watch Caligula in return, my black eyes catching and reflecting the moonlight as I tilt my head. They are curious things, my eyes; bulbous and strange, colorful and dark at once. And so sensitive. When bright dawn comes, I will hide away in shadow. The sun is not Roach’s friend.
Ex is Roach’s friend! Ex is many things. All things. I need him so. And in winter, I crave his company more than ever. It feels like no matter how close he is, it’s never close enough. There’s something missing…I don’t know what. Roach is pleased simply to have him close, but Roach is also jealous of these new faces. Pretty girls come to take Ex away from me! To steal his attentions and leave me alone! Unfair.
I blink. She is so quiet. So strange to have her around so long without speaking. And Ex asks her name! I frown. We don’t need such things – her name. Bleh! What use is it to us? Pointless, this is! And still she will not speak. A grin spreads across my face. Maybe she cannot speak? Or will not speak? Roach will speak for her! See how helpful I am? “We call her Ixodes!” Blood-sucker that she is, lusting after my Ex. I giggle at my cleverness, which comes across as simple laughter. “Ixodes, Roach, and Ex.” I nod enthusiastically at both of them.
r o a c h
flaming stealth banana |