Creep

Urgh.

And again I say, urgh.

Who made him leader?

It’s dark. Normally this wouldn’t bother me. But when you camp out with a ridiculously tall weirdo who can move so silently nobody can hear him, tell me if it freaks you out.

See?

It’s painfully clear I’m not the only one with the willies. Tristan and Kate are practically hanging off me. Normally this wouldn’t bother me, but we all kind of reek. And Kate’s feathers tickle. I wish they would just go away and let me sleep.

"Get off me," I grunt, pushing Kate away. She rolls her eyes and curls up in a pile of pine straw. Her feathers blend in so well all I can really see is her enormous golden eyes, glinting in the weak firelight. I can make out her face and all, but her eyes really jump out.

"I’m leavin’ tomorrow," Creed says roughly. "You’re on your own then."

"We’ll be all right," Tristan says defiantly, as if daring him to say something to the contrary. "Don’t worry about that."

Creed grins lopsidedly. A shudder tries to work its way up my spine and I stomp it down firmly. This creep will not cow me.

"I bet you can darlin’," he says, leering slightly. Tristan bristles. I don’t blame her. I send Creed my own glare.

"Everyone be quiet," Kate says irritably. "I’m tired. And you weirdoes are interfering with my sleep."

"Like you’re not obnoxious enough on your own," I mutter. But like I said before, my voice is so deep it’s impossible for it not to carry. Kate sits up sharply. "What?" she demands.

"I’m not repeating myself. Just go to sleep, Kate." I stretch out on the ground, wishing I didn’t have to worry about that Creed freak. He seriously freaks me out.

"Shut up," Creed grumbles, sounding vaguely amused. "Everyone go to sleep." I can hear him getting comfortable in his own pile of forest detritus. (Ha! See? I know big words! I have proven you all wrong! I’m not stupid! TAKE THAT!)

My skin is still crawling, but I manage to relax as I hear Kate, Tristan, and Creed’s breathing all drift into the low, deep rhythm that denotes sleep. But try as I might, I can’t join them. I’m way too tense and just plain weirded out.

It’s gonna be a really long night.