Hidden Monster (The Monsters Among Us Book 1)

by Amanda Strong

  “Are you done, Dr. Phil?” I hated his face so close to mine.

  He let my arms go and shoved me back. “Quite. I’ve been here long enough anyway.”

  He stepped up to the window, his wings expanding out.

  Shoot! I think he is leaving this time!

  “Wait, Kory,” I begged. “I still have more questions!”

  He shot me a sly grin. “If you want me to stay, just say the word, Sammy.” He opened his arms to me. “I can stay all night if you’d like.”

  I rolled my eyes at him, ignoring his innuendo. “You never told me why you need Blake’s help.”

  I didn’t like how his eyes suddenly swept up and down my body. He cocked his head to the side. “You know, I think I’m finally seeing why Blake likes you so much. You’re a confusing hot mess.”

  I glared at him. “Pretty sure you’re the confusing one out of the two of us.”

  Kory chuckled and then took a step closer to my window. He pressed his hand against the windowpane. “We’ve got a serious bug problem, Samantha.” The playfulness in his voice was gone.

  He faced me. “Blake doesn’t believe me, but he will. I’ve tracked it here.”

  My skin crawled. “It? What do you mean, like a dragon, like one of us?”

  Kory grunted. “Sort of. Let’s just say not all of us are nice. We’re hunters by nature.”

  “What do we hunt? Wait, don’t tell me I’m going to start sucking people’s blood!” I was only halfway joking.

  “No, we only do that during full moons.”

  “What?”

  Kory chuckled. “You so need help. We’re not vampires. They don’t exist.”

  I threw my hands up at him. “Thanks for clearing that up. Last I checked, dragonfly people didn’t either.”

  He leaned closer. “Like I said, we’re hunters. We live for the thrill of the chase. You can’t tell me you haven’t felt it yet, the need for speed, to search, catch a scent in the air, and be in the water.” His eyes danced back at me. “Most of us spend our time stalking our prey.”

  I swallowed. “Scents,” I mumbled. The way his eyes raked my face, I desperately wanted to step back. Stay strong—don’t show fear.

  “We emit a smell, I guess you could say, our own unique marker. Yours, my dear, is,” he inhaled deeply, his face drawing closer, “intoxicating. You’re attracting a lot of attention. So be careful.”

  “You smell like mint and cologne,” I blurted.

  His eyes met mine and then he stepped back, laughing. “Could be worse.”

  I was relieved he was no longer close. “So if you don’t suck blood, what’s all the hunting for? What do you do with your prey when you catch it?”

  “That depends on who caught you. Most of the civilized ones just catch and release, sort of like fishing. Actually, a lot of us fish, gives the thrill with no harm. Since dragonflies are born and live in the water for a long time before taking flight, we are drawn to it too.”

  “I know, I’ve felt it,” I admitted. “So what happens if a bad one gets you?”

  He grunted. “Whatever they want. There are a lot of murders and rapes never explained that are unsolved. Probably our kinds’ fault.”

  “Maybe Blake’s right. We shouldn’t exist.”

  “It’s because of Blake that we’re like this. If we weren’t hiding in shame of who we are, we wouldn’t have suppressed anger. We could teach and guide those who are different. Look at you. No one’s showed you anything, no one’s teaching you, and you’re stumbling along about to get yourself killed.”

  I hated that I agreed with Kory. I did need help. Why didn’t Blake say anything? He knew what I am. Why didn’t he help me? Then I remembered the rest of it. Because it’s all a game to him. It’s the one big hunting thrill, and I’m just his prey.

  This time I couldn’t stop the tears that filled my eyes. They fell freely down my cheeks. Kory broke eye contact and shook his head.

  “Listen, Samantha, like I said, you didn’t deserve any of this. It’s not your fault Blake picked you. I shouldn’t have vented my frustrations out on you. But you need to know that there’s a hunter here—a bug. He’s ancient, as old as Tonbo, and he’s vicious.”

  I sniffed. Embarrassed by my tears, I swiped them away. What Kory said scared me. The idea of someone who could fly, track smells, and hunt while invisible to the naked eye was terrifying!

  “Why’s he here?”

  Kory opened my window and peered into the night. “I think he’s tracking someone. I’m not sure who yet,” he turned to me, “so be careful.”

  Without another word, he vanished and I barely made out his camouflaged form shoot through the window. I inhaled. The mint was gone; he was gone. Crud, he didn’t show me how to do the camo.

  I walked back to my bed, my wings twitching on my back. The weight of everything crushed down on me. Blake? It’s Blake? I couldn’t seem to get enough air in; the room wouldn’t stop spinning. I’d trusted Blake. I’d told him everything. He’d been my hope, what’d pulled me out of my depression, and what made me want to get up in the morning. How could that all be a lie?

  How am I going to live without him? My heart squeezed, the crushing pain unbearable. I clambered onto my bed and curled up, hugging my knees tightly. My wings fought the sheets. Crap, I don’t even know how to get rid of these things.

  I tried to relax, to wish them away, but then racking sobs took over. I bit into my pillow as I screamed. Tonight, I will cry, I decided, as I gave in to the pain, but tomorrow, I’m getting answers.

  Chapter 20

  “Samantha, are you up, hon?”

  I rolled over, but my eyes didn’t want to open. They felt sealed shut with dried-up tears. I rubbed them gingerly; the lids still felt puffy. My nose refused to breathe.

  “Yeah, I’m up,” I muttered. My mom walked into my room at the same time I realized I might have wings. When she didn’t scream or ask why I was wearing a Halloween costume, I figured I was okay. Lucky for me, the wings seem to disappear when I fall asleep.

  “Are you just getting up? I thought you’d gotten up hours ago,” she said, her eyes summing up my appearance.

  I cast a glance at my vanity mirror. The night had not been kind to me at all; my face was splotchy, my eyes puffballs, and my hair a tangled bird’s nest.

  Mack would love this, I thought, running my fingers through the knots. At the thought of my friend, something dawned on me. Why was Kory at Mack’s house in the first place? What did he have to do with all this? Was it just because he and Blake were good friends?

  Realizing my mom was waiting for an answer, I said, “Uh… yeah, I sort of slept in, I guess. I didn’t feel too good last night.” Thank heavens it’s Saturday. Can’t imagine going to school today.

  “Well, that explains all the noises in your room. I almost checked on you, sounded like you had a fitful sleep.”

  I bit my lip and continued running my fingers through my hair.

  “Well, are you feeling up to company?” my mom asked.

  “Um, I guess.”

  “Okay, why don’t you hop in the shower? I’m sure Blake won’t mind waiting ten minutes. He got home last night.”

  My stomach dropped. Blake. I frowned. I should feel terror but instead, a surge of excitement coursed through me. I’d missed him so desperately for days it was like my body had conveniently forgotten about last night’s reveal.

  Blake’s a dragon… a creepy, lying, jerk! And I don’t mean anything to him.

  I must have nodded because my mom said, “Okay, I’ll let him know,” and left the room, shutting the door behind her.

  My heart squeezed as I tried to embrace the truth. I’ve only been a game for him. Like Kory said, I’m his puppet. Something he wanted to manipulate, chase, hunt… and then catch.

  As much as it killed me inside, there was a small corner of my heart that refused to believe it. I’d felt his concern over my welfare, I’d swear it was sincere. I’m a fool. Since when was I
a good judge in guys? Look at Jeremy, my one real boyfriend—a total jerk.

  I didn’t know how long I sat on my bed, frozen with indecision, when I finally glared at my reflection in the mirror. Blake thinks he caught me. Well, he doesn’t know that I know. And I’m not his prize. I squared my shoulders as the tears cascaded my cheeks.

  I wasn’t giving him the satisfaction of knowing I’d fallen for him, that I’d fulfilled his prophecy. What was he going to do then? I tried to ignore Kory’s words about ‘bad’ dragons. I refused to believe Blake could be one of them. I couldn’t imagine him hurting anyone… then the image of the squirming kid Blake had effortlessly lifted off the ground with one arm filled my mind. Still, that’d been for me… I groaned. That’d all been a show. Oh, how he must have been laughing inside, reveling in playing the hero!

  I can’t do this. The tears burst free again. I can’t face Blake. How could he do this to me? I buried myself in my covers, sobbing into my pillow. So much for telling myself I’d only cry over him last night. A few minutes later, there was a soft knock on my door.

  “Samantha?” my mom’s voice called through the wood that separated us. “Are you getting in the shower?”

  “No. Mom, can you tell Blake I’m too sick to see him today?” I managed to get out, choking back my tears long enough to talk.

  There was a pause, and then my mom said softly, “Okay, honey. I will. Get some sleep.”

  I tried to ignore my phone for the rest of the day. The first few times it whistled at me, the melodic tones letting me know I had a text, I peeked. They were all from Blake. First teasing me for being sick because I’d stayed up all night with Jeremy, then being touched that I’d exhausted myself worrying about his safety while away, then finally wanting to know if everything was okay and asking if he could do anything for me. After that, I turned my phone to silent mode. I couldn’t bear him pretending to care for me. Or could it be I couldn’t stand that part of me still wanted to believe that he did, that somehow this was all a misunderstanding?

  Around dinnertime, my dad popped by my room. I’d religiously stayed in bed, sickness a perfect mask for the depression settling over me. The truth hadn’t liberated me from the fear like the therapist had promised; it had sucked the desire to smile, to eat, to laugh, to do anything that required any effort out of me. After I’d gotten the tears under control and my frumpy appearance could easily pass for illness, I’d opened my door up.

  So when my dad entered, he came straight to my bed and sat at the end.

  “So how you feeling, kiddo? Mom said you’re sick today.”

  I sat up and leaned against my headboard. “Yeah.”

  He cocked his head to the side. “Stomach bugging you again?”

  No, just my broken heart, I wanted to say. “Yeah and I’m achy all over.”

  “So I’m guessing you don’t want dinner then? Maybe some soup?” he asked.

  “No, I’m good.”

  “Mm,” he hummed. I knew my dad loved me, but I had the sinking suspicion his concern was over more than my onset of sickness. “So Blake called,” he said finally.

  I’d been right. “Oh yeah?”

  “He’s really worried about you. Maybe you could call him,” his eyes shot over to my cell phone sitting on my nightstand. The red light flashed back at us, letting everyone know I had messages waiting for me.

  Darn, I shouldn’t have left it sitting there. By the way my dad’s eyebrows rose, I knew he was wondering now why I was ignoring my cell. Even with being sick, sending text messages took little effort.

  “Okay I will,” I said simply, hoping he wouldn’t ask more.

  He hesitated and then asked, “Everything going okay for you? You know, since you’re back in school and all?”

  “Yeah, it’s great.” My lie was obvious.

  “You know you can still tell me anything, right?” my dad asked.

  “I know. Don’t worry, Dad. Everything’s fine… really.”

  “Samantha…” Now his tone sent a shiver of worry through me. Maybe he hadn’t come up just to discuss why I was ignoring Blake. “I want to tell you something, but I don’t want to scare you or anything. Your mom thinks we shouldn’t worry you with it—”

  “What is it, Dad?”

  “There’s been another kidnapping. It happened last night. It’s been all over the news today.”

  I couldn’t control the gasp that flew from my lips. I shook my head, trying to regain composure.

  “Who was it?” I asked.

  “A girl from your school. I don’t know if you know her. Cally Jenson?”

  I stared back at my dad. I didn’t know her that well, but a girl with sandy-blonde hair and hazel eyes filled my mind.

  “Yeah, I had some classes with her. What happened?” I tried to keep my voice calm and steady. I needed to know every detail, and if my dad saw me go hysterical, he wouldn’t say another word.

  “They don’t know a lot right now. Her parents said she’d left to go to a friend’s house last night, but the friend said she never got there, and she never came home. They found her car just off the highway, in the ditch, driver’s door open, her purse, money, cell phone, everything still in there, but she’s gone.” His eyes peered back at me, the pain in them evident, “Listen, I don’t want this news to hurt you in anyway, but I feel you need to know… Samantha, your kidnapper might be back.”

  I was grateful for my dad’s honesty. He was right; I needed to know this. The timing of it all wasn’t lost on me either. Blake got home last night… another coincidence? Part of my heart shouted back at me, Kory just got here too! It could have been him. Why do I believe Kory over Blake? As much as I wanted to hope Blake had nothing to do with my abduction, I couldn’t understand why he wouldn’t have said something to me already. He’d seen me with my wings. Why lie, why hide? Too much of what Kory said made sense for me not to doubt Blake, no matter what my heart said.

  No one bothered me the rest of the evening, leaving me trapped in my own personal prison. I’m sure my parents are happy that I’m safely tucked away in my bedroom. At least they didn’t have to worry about me inside the home. My dad would lock every window and door tonight, and probably sleep with his 9mm ready. Surprised he hasn’t stuck one of his guns in my nightstand… just in case. Though I wasn’t proficient with all my dad’s firearms, I’d gone shooting with him enough to know I could do a lot of damage.

  The funny thing is, if he knew where the bad guy would actually enter the house, he’d make my bedroom firearms headquarters. My window stared back at me as I lay on my bed, almost mocking my situation. I hated that I longed to slide the glass open and take off for the reservoir. Kory’s right—I do crave water now. But it’s not safe out there.

  One thing bothered me. Even if Blake was the one taking girls for his own whim and pleasure, Kory had come seeking Blake’s help. Which meant one thing—the ‘bug’ Kory referred to was a bigger threat than what Blake had done to me. Kory hates Blake, but he is willing to work with him to get rid of the real monster. I thought of Cally and shuddered. That poor girl. She must be terrified right now. Does Blake have her tied up to some bed, slurring scary words to her? Or, my spine tingled, does the bug have her? Could it be possible Blake wasn’t the kidnapper this time? Perhaps the real hunter had found its prey? And, my heart begged, maybe the bug had something to do with my abduction too, not Blake.

  I turned over, not wanting to see my black windowpanes anymore. I knew it was too early for me to sleep. Having spent the entire day in bed when I wasn’t actually ill, I felt restless. Maybe if it were darker in my room, I could relax better. I sat up, snapped my lamp off, and then settled down into my covers.

  When I inhaled deeply, I caught the scent, faint, but there. My heart stopped. It wasn’t Kory’s… it was different, and familiar somehow. I commanded myself to breathe steadily, the scent difficult to pick up. I don’t think he or she is in my room this time. With Kory, his smell overpowered me. This time, it was barel
y discernible. They must be outside my window. I remembered the small crack at the top of one of the panes and figured that was how it came through. Someone’s there. Breathe in… breathe out…

  I waited for the shattering of glass or, I realized with a start, for them to merely slide it open. I was pretty sure it remained unlocked, since I hadn’t fastened the lock shut since my last visitor. Dumb me, you’d think I’d learn my lesson!

  Nothing happened. No sounds, no movements, nothing. Just the faint, earthy smell of the woods mixed with something warm like amber or honey. The scent tugged at my memory. I bit my lip so I wouldn’t make a sound when I realized who it was. Memories of warm skin, a neck so close to my lips, smelling of a sweet autumn morning… Blake.

  I couldn’t move. It felt like hours as I waited for the scent to be gone, but he remained there. The later it grew, the more rampant my emotions ran wild. My face twisted in anger and then spilled tears. All the while, I was so glad I wasn’t facing the window. I didn’t want him to see and hear anything. I tried to keep my breathing regular and even. Time droned on slowly. I kept waiting for the scent to disappear. Surely, he must be bored of watching me sleep, but it remained there, soft, faint, and constant. What’s he doing? Stalking me some more?

  When the clock read 4:07, my body grew heavy and my mind began wandering into strange places. When my own inner dialogue became nonsensical, I gave in. I didn’t care what Blake did outside my window—I needed sleep.

  Chapter 21

  The smell of waffles woke me. My stomach grumbled, and I realized I hadn’t eaten anything since Friday. I slid out of bed, pulling a pair of jeans out of my dresser along with the nearest shirt. Depressed or not, I couldn’t handle another day in my bed. Twenty minutes later, I was me, showered, dressed, and making my way downstairs.

  Being Sunday, my entire family was home, including my sisters. Jocelyn was piling her plate with only blueberries and strawberries.