Yeah, I would not have liked what happened next, if that had happened.
I unrolled my napkin from the silverware and waved it as a white flag of surrender. Everything switched back to normal.
“That’s some trick.” I laughed. "I have no clue what you are.”
"I’m Batman," he said.
"No, Bruce Wayne is a regular guy."
“Oh. I haven’t read his comics yet.” Max glanced out the window as he spoke. “What if I’m an alien?”
“Hey, as long as you aren’t here to probe me, then welcome to Earth.” Since Max wasn’t a fan of how everything was a sex thing, I did not make a smart comment about how the only person I liked ‘probing’ me these days was Orion.
But I had to ask the question on my mind. “What even are you, dude?"
Max smiled. “I’m awesome.”
~
Rob
Max only had a learner’s permit, so I wasn’t sure how he’d get home. I walked since we weren’t far from the apartment and offered to walk Max to wherever he was headed next. He told me that wasn’t necessary and then I’d looked away for a second or two.
When I looked back, he was gone.
My phone buzzed with a new message.
Max the Mysterious: I’m home.
Wonderful Rob: Show off.
I wasn’t surewhatexactly he was showing off, definitely something. At least his contact info showed up this time. I had a theory that sometimes he, like, sent text messages with his mind or something, so the messages didn’t always show up as from him.
Mental text messaging was not his best power, but his instant travel ability would be nice. I needed it myself. Because a block from Orion’s, I saw a familiar face.
The loud rumble of his engine grew louder as he pulled into a spot at the curb near me. He leaned up against his bike. The menace raised an eyebrow, like I was the one trailing him and inconveniencing him with my presence.
People with stares that intense who broadcasted such strong ‘able to murder you dead in two seconds flat’ vibes were not exactly known for blending in. I recognized him easily. This was the same guy who I’d seen lurking a few times before. I’d bet all Orion’s money that him being here was no accident. He was here for me.
“Didn’t I see you before at Bliss?” At the crime scene. And the gas station beforehand.
He sniffed, looking down the street. “Maybe.”
"You visit a lot of sex clubs?"
"Just a guy looking for a good time. Anything wrong with that?"
"Probably,” I said. “In my experience, all the fun stuff is usually illegal."
He focused on me and I congratulated myself on not cowering in terror. He wore an ‘innocent’ expression that looked chilling, like his idea of a good time meant lots and lots of violence.
“Then you best be careful.” His rough, deep voice made everything sound like a threat, but this actuallywasa threat. “Crimes come with enemies. And people who play with fire get burned.”
Locked in some loaded stare down, I did not want to blink first and suddenly find a fist flying towards my face, but I had to stop and laugh. "Is that a joke? Fire because of demons and hell? I was thinking about that and I really don’t think the realm can be that much hotter than the rest of the world."
Naturally, the scary bastard did not laugh. He just leaned in even closer. “Guess it depends on which world you’re talking about.”
What the hell did that mean?
