Chapter 50

Chapter 50
"Medusa"I hear him whispering in my ear.

"What? I'm startled."

I feel him leaning next to me. His breath burns me.

"I've been trying to figure out for a long time what it would be... In Greek mythology. Which is your correspondent I think. Or the proper name according to our canons. Medusa I think. I keep wanting to tell you this from before the hunt. From before... Eddie. I found a song. Medusa. By Nina... something with a T. It had a verse. If Medusa stares at you she'll come to Find you, prey on you. It made me think seriously about you."

"I'm not like that."

"Yes, you are, just not in the traditional way. You are a predator, Kassie, whether you like it or not. You eat our hearts for breakfast, he chuckles, and if I didn't sense that hint of fascination in his voice, I would think I was the only crazy one here."

I don't like being called crazy. Honestly. And I don't like the fact that we're talking about this now. It makes me feel guilty. Like I'm doing something on purpose. And I'm not doing anything. I know this for sure because... I feel like even my thoughts don't make sense anymore.

"What is Delilah doing?"

I ask quickly and he retreats from me like a flash. He stares for a long time.

"If you don't want me involved, you just have to tell me, you know?"

"Who said I don't want you by my side?"

"You mentioned her name, he explains, taking a few steps into the sun. Whenever you mention my name, I always do it to put distance. When you don't feel comfortable or you think we're slipping into... You know exactly what I'm saying and you do it on purpose. Delilah is good. She's always good and never does anything. You just know. So should I leave? You can just say that to me if you want."

"Yes. No. No. Don't go, I'm changing my mind. I don't want to be alone but I don't want to either. Tonight I'm going out with Mina, I start. Not like, we're going out to have fun. We're going out to rob someone."

"What?"

"Rory. He'll give me the doctor's money if I go and get it myself from someone who owes him."

"You don't need to do this. You know if Travis doesn't... I can always... Just tell me the amount."

"I don't want to. Not like this. I want to handle it on my own. For once in my life I want to solve my problems on my own. Without you and Apollo and David or Ted Wade".

He doesn't move. He pulls his chair next to me and takes my hands in his. He squeezes.

"I'll keep my phone next to me, let me know. If you need any help, call me. And send me a location, so I know where to come or where to pick you up. You'll let me do this for you, okay?"

"Yes. Sure. Do whatever you want."

I'm too tired to even think about that. We do what he wants. When he wants. I honestly don't even care.

"Are you sure you're okay?" He wants to know.

I look at him. Did I ever say I was okay?

"Yes," I'm lying to him. "A little stressed, I told you. Mina says she has a plan but we both know what good plans she usually has. And, I don't know. I'm thinking that in the worst case scenario we'll come back with nothing. Rory would appreciate the intention though."

"Worst case scenario, you won't come back."

Does he like to give me more anxiety? Does he feel good doing this? I look at him and try not to panic. I look at him and don't make a sound. The silence is also comfortable between us. I wait for him to come out. I wait for him to leave and after he does, not even half an hour later, Mina calls me. It's done. And we should go now.

I do not understand her ideas. I let it make up my slippers. Any spinner. He hit himself in his teens. I don't remember the exact circumstances. I make visual context with him. I look at my drink. Whiskey and Coke. I look at him again and smile when I realize he's still looking. I wait. I wait. Mina tells me to let him make the first move. I wonder what happens if he doesn't. I know Mina wants me to seduce him or something. That she wants me to smile nicely and run my hand along the edge of my cleavage and... the floor moves with me. Mina wants me to be a good girl and dance, to have fun. I hold on tighter to the edge of the bar. I smile at her. My phone vibrates. I look for it and want to pull it out. I know for sure it's Mina. I don't know what she wants from me. I can't enter my code and I know exactly what's happening.

"I'm going to faint now," I whisper to the bartender.

I think it's the bartender. And I don't know if he hears me. I'm not even sure if I'm saying it or not. I just know that everything is going crazy and that I feel the floor hard beneath me. Like a part of me hears the bartender's voice loud and clear explaining that I didn't even touch the drink. I'm not drunk. I wish I could tell him that I don't want an ambulance. That I don't want to go to the hospital. That's where I come from. That I don't want to hear Torielli gouge my eyes out. I know what it's for. Food. I need food or my body is scolding me. I still feel like it's stupid. Like the fact that my own body betrays me when I need it the most is unfair and yes I don't deserve this. I feel like the bright lights at the hospital are useless too. Unfair. I feel my IV in my hand and when I manage to open my eyes I don't see Elio. I'm honestly expecting him. Or Mina. I open my eyes and see Travis and I don't understand why he's here. And who was stupid enough to let him know. I realize before he does that I'm awake. He's my emergency contact. He's leaning against the opposite wall with his arms folded and looking at me with a frown.

"I'm going to strangle you one day," he whispers as he approaches me. "What were you doing in that bar?"

Is that why he's holding me by the throat? Oh... Okay.

"I was with Mina. I had to..."

"It was not with you."

"You fought with Hades," I remember.

He gets angrier.

"No. We're not having this discussion about what I did wrong. You, like an idiot, are getting yourself into trouble. Don't worry, no one canceled the money. That's all. Do you realize how wrong what you wanted to do is? Don't mess with men like him! Never. Oh my God Kassie! He sits down next to me. Don't you trust me at all? Would you even let me know? Would you let me help you if you don't want the money? Not even... The doctor said you need to rest, he calms down suddenly. But I swear, if I ever find you in a situation like this with Hades again, your moment in the elevator will be child's play compared to what I'm going to do to him. Do you understand?"

I agree wholeheartedly. I understand. Half-way, but I understand. After that mess with Apollo and Clara, Travis wouldn't dare touch Hades, would he? No?