He sat in a rocker, graced with an outdoor cushion, his feet stretched out before him, his legs crossed at the ankles. His eyes were closed, and he held a bottle of his newly discovered favorite drink — Sidral Mundet Apple Soda. He was aware of everything around himself. He knew which homes were occupied, and could even hear small pieces of conversation coming from them every once in a while. He knew the restaurant was open and had a few late customers who were being served. He knew the store was open and would continue to be until 2:00 A. M., with the gas pumps still operable around the clock. He knew that the animals staying overnight in the animal hospital had finally settled down, and that their after hours kennel help had already come by for their first check on the animals.
He also knew that some members of Riley’s Pride had been out running on the land behind the mobile home park. In fact, three of them had been running. One of them was currently slinking through the darkness toward him, on the far side of his home. He was pretty sure the others were near enough to keep an eye on him and their friend, but didn’t want to be detected. He kept his eyes staring straight ahead into the darkness, refusing to let the male quietly approaching know he’d been detected.
The male stood quietly beside Remi’s home, at the opposite end of his front porch.
After a good five minutes of silence, Remi finally relented. “How long would you like to continue pretending we aren’t aware that each other is here?” Remi asked, without looking in the direction of the male scoping him out.
A gravelly, husky laugh responded. The male laughed for a few moments before he stepped out into view, wearing a smirk and a pair of running shorts. “Didn’t fool you for a second, did I?”
“I heard you and your friends when you left for your run, and I heard when you crossed back over to the park. Heard you when you were making your way up here.”
“You’re Daniel’s boy, right?”
Remi turned his head toward the male and smiled. “I’m not much of a boy anymore, but yeah, Daniel and Avaleigh are my parents.”
“Explains why I couldn’t get the drop on you. Dragons hear every damn thing.”
“It’s a curse. A blessing, but also a curse,” Remi said.
“I can only imagine. I hear enough as a Panther. The last thing I want to do is hear more.”
Remi nodded and relaxed back into his previous position, pausing to sip out of the glass bottle dangling from his fingers.
“You gonna sit out here all night and watch for Cristie?”
Remi laughed. “That obvious?”
“Well, I know you’re here for Cristie. Also know she’s been running around in that pretty little red car with the distinctive engine noise. Makes her kind of easy to track.”
“Sure does. I can track her from inside. But I find I like sitting out here at night. It’s relaxing.”
The male stood on the steps of Remi’s porch, not yet coming any closer.
Remi turned his head just enough to focus on him. “Want to have a seat?”
“Sure.” He stepped up onto the porch and pulled another rocking chair close to Remi before he plopped down in it. “What’re ya drinking?”
Remi grinned. “Apple flavored soda,” he said, holding it up for the male to see.
“Never mind,” the male said.
“Thought it was beer?” Remi asked.
“Yep. Even looks like it. I’ll pass on the soda, though.”
“I got beer in the fridge. I guess it’s part of the usual amenity package. You’re welcome to go get one, or six. I don’t drink anymore, so I won’t be having any.”
The male stood up and started toward Remi’s front door.
“Hey,” Remi said.
The male looked back at him.
“Who are you?”
The male laughed. “I’m Lazarus. My people just call me Laz,” he said.
“Or asshole,” Lucas said, stepping out of the darkness to Remi’s right and walking right up onto the porch.
