Page 107 of Monster. Me.

To comfort myself, I summon Marlow’s face in my mind, the way I saw it through the mantis’s eyes: beautiful, multidimensional, whispering words that could have become my hope, my salvation.

I choose you.

So I was picked after all? A beast chosen by a beauty, even if just for a second. It means the world.

But that dream is impossible now. Dr. Lomax will never let me leave. They will hunt me down wherever I go.

Oh, Marlow, our paths must part here. In that brief time we knew each other, you gave me more than you ever realized, the precious feeling of being loved.

MARLOW

I’m sitting curled up in my chair, a mug of hot coffee and a plate of warm raisin rolls set in front of me by Mr. Davos. I came here because I had no idea what else to do with myself. Panic, stress, and somehow the first place that drew me in was Rainbow Springs.

And the craziest part is that, in a moment of deep anxiety and helplessness, I did a very risky thing—I blurted out the truth to him.

About Fenn, about me, about the fact that we’re not exactly ordinary. Well, I didn’t give him all the details, but I told him enough.

And, to my shock, he took it well, saying this town is a safe haven for a lot of unusual creatures, and that they all live here safely, with everyone knowing what they need to know and supporting each other. I listen to him with my heart pounding. Well, Renato Santoro said something similar, that this town really is full of magical ABOs. Interesting.

But the main reason why my nerves don’t go away is that I still don’t have that one piece of news I’ve been waiting for.

Mr. Davos gently nudges the platter of rolls closer to me.

"Don’t you worry, sweetheart. Life has a habit of unfolding in ways we never expect. I know that better than most. I’ve lost hope more times than I can count, but somehow things always found a way to brighten again."

Peaches walks up to my chair and carefully sniffs my hand.

I pat her on the head, and she responds with a wag of her thick tail.

A moment later, though, my eyes drift back to my phone.

No call from Blue. Not even a text saying it didn’t work out. I’ve been waiting for hours now, and my adrenaline refuses to settle.

"Are you sure you don’t want to take a walk and see my son’s house?" Mr. Davos asks. "You should look at this practically, you know. If everything turns out well, you’ll already have a home waiting for you. And even if they keep him there," he lowers his voice conspiratorially, "at least you’ll be close by, and I’m sure you’ll find your own ways to sneak in and see him."

I let out a quiet sigh.

Of course Mr. Davos would love to sell the house to someone he believes could bring something good to their community. I don’t blame him.

But right now, I need to focus on my own situation. This isn’t the time for major life decisions.

"My son kept that little house in beautiful shape," Mr. Davos continues persuasively. "He believed he’d never meet anyone because he spent his whole life dealing with serious spinal problems that limited his mobility. But then he met his fated mate, and everything changed. He was almost forty when it happened! He’d already started giving up on having children, on creating a family. But hope is always there. Prevailing!"

I look at him tentatively. His dark eyes are studying me warmly.

Finally, I answer with a shy smile and a nod.

Why not? Maybe seeing the house will improve my mood. At the very least, it’ll distract me from this misery and anxiety, from the terrifying thought that Fenn might be lying in some hospital right now riddled with bullets, that maybe they can’t save him.

Mr. Davos seems to sense exactly what I’m thinking. He leans closer, his small, wrinkled hand closing around mine.

"Child, you said yourself he’s a mutant, and they heal faster than ordinary people. Try to believe he’ll pull through. Besides, he’s more useful to them alive than dead, isn’t he?"

Somehow those words fill me with hope. They wouldn’t let him die, right? He’s valuable to them. If nothing else, simple pragmatism should make them want to keep him alive.

I get up from the table and straighten my shoulders slightly. Dear Fate, what a horrible day. I just want it to end. I want the sun to come out again.

"Okay. Let’s go for that walk and see the house."