CHAPTER 32
Tilly and I walked together on the sidewalk through the center of the quad while I finished relating my story.
“... and that is why we needed the survey. If we are going to lay a trap for these bastards, we need to know how they operate.” I ran out of words at that point. I still wasn't sure how to broach the topic of her own possible encounter with the demons.
We walked a bit longer before Tilly answered. “So... you're sure this isn't something you should just leave to the police?”
“Believe me, I've had that same thought, but I think if the police were going to put this together, they would have done it already.”
“You could go to them with what you have.”
“Sure, and they won't think we're crazy at all.” I immediately regretted the amount of sarcasm I'd imbued that statement with. “But even if they do believe us, it could backfire. We already know they have people in city government. They could have people in the local police. If we go to the cops, it could just tip them off.”
“It just seems really dangerous.”
“Yes, I know. And trust me, I've tried to talk Dee out of this, but she is going to do it with or without us, so at this point all I can think to do is help her as much as I can. To do everything possible to reduce the risks. I think you can help with that, actually.”
“Me? What can I do.”
“You might be the most recent person to actually see these... psychopaths... doing their thing. The Brass Rail... that night you first met Dee...”
Tilly stopped walking. She shuddered. “I so don't want to think about how that could have ended.”
“And I really didn't want to have to ask you about it. But anything you might remember might be the thing that breaks this open. I remember seeing a guy carrying you out of the Rail, but it was the other side of the room, and I wasn't looking all that close. I couldn't tell you what he looked like. Do you remember?”
“I... I don't remember leaving the Brass Rail. I remember being there. I remember talking to a few different people. I was supposed to meet a couple of friends there, but they didn't show.”
“Did anyone buy you a drink? Anyone give you a weird vibe?”
“No, I bought my own, but I wasn't always watching my drink all the time. Anyone could have slipped something in it.” She bit her lip. Her brow furrowed. “There was this one guy. Came over and chatted me up. Offered to buy me a drink, but I hadn't finished the one I had. He did some silly magic trick using cocktail napkins and straws. It was actually pretty good. He did give me a bit of a weird vibe though, now that I think of it. Like he was doing this thing, but he didn't really care if he impressed me or not.”
“Would you recognize him if you saw him again?”
“Maybe, but I don't expect to. See him again, that is. I can't remember exactly what he said, but he talked like he wasn't from around here and wasn't planning on staying. Something about passing through. Wanted me to show him the sights. It totally sounded like a line, and I wasn't interested. I don't even remember his name. Sorry... I wish I could be more help.”
“Don't be sorry. I think you might have just given us a big clue.” The wheels in my head were turning. The pieces of the puzzle were in motion again, and I felt like something was about to click into place.
My contemplation was interrupted by the approach of another student. He waved as he bounded up to us, his other hand clutching the strap of a backpack that dangled at his side.
“Matilda,” he shouted as he approached, “I'm glad I ran into you.”
Tilly seemed to cringe a bit, but quickly suppressed it and forced a smile on her face. “Robert, its good to see you too. What's up?”
“It looks like we'll be shorthanded getting ready for Trivia Jam this Saturday, and so I thought maybe we should help out. You up for it? I think it'll be fun.”
“Sorry, I don't think I can, I've got a lot going on this weekend.”
“Oh no problem.” He seemed to deflate a bit. “But you are at least coming to the trivia party, right? I mean the honor of South Tower is at stake!”
“I'll try to to make it for a while, I promise.”
“Oh good. So, who's your friend?”
“Hi, I'm Barry.” I shook the hand he offered. “I think Tilly said your name was Robert. Is that right?”
“Yeah, me and Matilda go way back. We met at freshman orientation and joined the dorm activities committee together.”
“That's nice. I haven't known her nearly so long.” I looked over at Tilly. She wore a pained expression covered by a rigid smile. Her eyes seemed to say, 'please save me from this'.
Dee was always telling me to trust my instincts. She wanted me to exercise my empathy, to try and improve my supposed superpower. This was in no small part because of the role it would play in our current mission. I decided this was as good a time as any to give it a workout.
So what did my spidey sense tell me about Robert? He was a nice enough guy, but a bit shy and socially awkward, also somewhat unsure of himself. I shouldn't really throw stones; that could describe me as well. He was obviously fond of Tilly but too afraid of rejection to ask her out directly, so he was seeking social interactions that were less fraught. Tilly wasn't blind to the situation, and this was likely a repeating pattern that she was becoming tired of. She kept trying to reject him politely, but he was completely missing the clues. He needed something a bit more definitive. That was something I could likely help with. Time to invoke my other superpower. Boyfriend Camouflage.
“Yeah, Tilly and I haven't known each other that long,” I said, “but I'm still the luckiest guy alive. I mean, I never imagined a few weeks ago I'd have such a great girlfriend.” I took Tilly's hand and spared her a quick wink, hoping she would pick up on my strategy. She did, squeezing my hand in response and falling right into the role.
“Isn't he just adorable,” she said to Robert.
“Oh definitely,” he replied, “you two make a great couple.” His face didn't change, but I could feel his hopes being crushed. I suddenly felt immensely sorry for the guy. It was like I was reliving every rejection or crushed dream I had ever experienced. “So... I better see both of you at Trivia Jam then,” Robert continued, “and it was really nice bumping into you. Well, I've got lots to do, so I'd better get going.” He slung his backpack over his shoulder and raced off.
“I feel like I just kicked a puppy,” I said after he had receded in to the distance.
“I know what you mean, but thanks anyway,” Tilly replied.
“I take it he wasn't picking up on the clues.”
“He wouldn't know a clue if you wrapped it around a clue hammer and bludgeoned him to death with it.”
“Ouch. Graphic.”
“He's not really such a bad guy. If he wouldn't get so... fixated... just go out and socialize more, he would find someone who likes him back just as much.”
“Easier said than done, sometimes.”
“You don't seem to do so badly,” she observed.
“You didn't know me during my introverted nerd stage. I was hopeless in high school.”
“Yeah, lucky for me I met you at the extroverted nerd stage. Still, I can't imagine you were ever clueless. In fact, I bet you had plenty of girlfriends in high school.”
“One, actually. We started dating in our senior year. We swore we would stay together when we graduated , but then she went to college in Oregon and is dating someone on the rugby team last I heard.”
“Her loss.”
“Thanks,” I said. “I'm not sure why I'm telling you all this, actually.”
“I'm just one those people. Easy to talk to. Maybe I should become a counselor of some kind.”
“No arguments here.”
“Wait until you get my bill.”
I laughed. “I'll have to owe you. I'm the definition of destitute college student.”
We had resumed walking
as we talked and now found ourselves at the Kirby Math and Science building where I had my next class. It was just then that I realized I was still holding Tilly's hand. I started to let go, but she held on. We walked the last few steps to the entrance of the building.
“Well, I guess this is goodbye,” she said to me, “Say hi to Dee for me, and let me know if I can help in any other way.”
“Thanks, will do.” I gave her hand a final squeeze and she finally let go.
I looked at her, and she smiled. And then I looked again, this time with my Empathy, and the whole world seem to spin around us. Emotion hit me in a wave, and for a moment I was sure I was feeling what Tilly was feeling... and it was so much more than just friendship.
Sometimes, I really am clueless.
Devious Origins Page 39
