Deception Twelve: Stalking is fun!

[hungry_monster]

[Filtered away from Anna]

I have a question Mayfield. I know we have to stay in our "assigned housing but we are able to leave at times. Does anyone know what the exact amount of time you are allowed to stay away from your house is?

I would be most appreciative.

[a. In his elementary school classroom, Johan is has a new assignment for you kids.

Comments

a

[strike_you_out]

[For this assignment, Slugger sighs and writes about the only "family" he's ever known. It can be summarized as something along the lines of "Miss Susan is a schoolteacher. Great-grandfather is Death. Edward is an idiot in green."

The paper is short and lacking in great detail, but it will be clear to Johan who Slugger's "father" is by the end of it. He will hand it in either at the end of class or when it's asked for, then quietly go about his business with eyes lowered and shaded by his cap.]

[hungry_monster]

[Glancing at it as he walks by.]

You don't think very much of Edward.

[Amused smile.]

[strike_you_out]

[The pencil stops...]

There isn't much to think of.

[hungry_monster]

I'm sure he would disagree. He seems to be quite sure of himself.

[Stops walking to look down at the boy.]

[strike_you_out]

[True. Slugger looks up at his teacher, noticing his face for the first time.]

You know him?

[hungry_monster]

We've met a few times.

[And since you're quite good at this, why yes, there is darkness in his eyes.]

[strike_you_out]

[Just peering curiously into the man's eyes for a moment. Slugger's own eyes are keen and narrow, each surrounded by noticeable darkened circles.]

...He's afraid of you?

[hungry_monster]

[The amused smile is still there. He's good at noticing the darkness in others as well.]

I believe so.

[strike_you_out]

Should he be? [Maybe a little interested now.]

[hungry_monster]

I know many people who would think so.

[strike_you_out]

Why?

[hungry_monster]

Many reasons.

I suppose you could say some people think I'm a monster.

[And yet. Does this look like a monster to you? While his appearance doesn't seem anything like that. His eyes are much more interesting. Yes, he is.]

[strike_you_out]

-!!

[Leaning forward in his desk with undivided attention. He doesn't look the least bit repulsed; in fact he looks pleasantly shocked.]

You're a monster?

[hungry_monster]

Yes.

[strike_you_out]

[Slugger glances toward his nearest drone "classmates" all busily at work on their assignments and paying no attention whatsoever to this conversation between two monsters.

His voice remains low when he speaks]

How so?

[hungry_monster]

[Which is why you're getting the truth. With a calm voice and a smile.]

I intend to be the last person standing at the end of the world.