Page 102 of Hunt Me

When I wake up in the coffin, I feel deliciously sated, sore all over, but my head isn’t as heavy as it has been over the last few days. I know I still need to take care, having a concussion and all, but I can tell I’m healing.

It’s strange that being with someone like Archie—someone who has killed, someone who fucks me in graveyards and in caskets—could be my safe space. But I’ve also never been the most normal guy. Boring, sure. But normalcy—or what people told me was normal—always made my skin itch.

When I sit up, I’m unsurprised to find Archie gone from the room. His sleep patterns are a little unique, and there have been a few times when I’ve woken in the dead of night to find him pacing and stimming. He never notices me, and I don’t draw attention to myself.

I want him to feel safe to do whatever makes him feel happy and comfortable. But watching him is like watching aninterpretive dance. His movements are fluid and soft, and his limbs are like liquid.

Crawling out of the coffin, I take a peek at myself in the mirror above Archie’s dresser, and hell, I look a little fucked out with my wild hair and the soft bite Archie left on my throat. My bruises are starting to fade to a sickly green now, which isn’t great, but it means they’re on their way to disappearing completely, so that’s one small comfort.

I throw on one of Archie’s sweaters and make my way upstairs, following the smell of coffee to the kitchen, where Percy’s just getting up from the table.

He offers me a smile and points to a seat. ‘Coffee,’ he signs.

I tip my fingers from my chin in thanks before sitting, but before I can get comfortable, Jasper walks in. He eyes me for a long time—long enough to make me squirm—and then he sits down, his eyes glued to his phone.

The silence is awkward, which is probably rich coming from a Deaf man, but it’s not just the lack of noise. Jasper is very still, apart from his finger scrolling on his screen, but I can also tell he’s watching me from his periphery.

He would fit into the Deaf community seamlessly. He can probably read lips in a mirror.

Before I can get into my head too much, a latte with what looks like a high heel drizzled into the foam appears before me.

I grin up at Percy. ‘Cool.’

‘I’m working on my latte art for the café,’ he signs, then smiles, though it doesn’t reach his eyes.

He looks tired and a little stressed, but I know better than to ask. My second nature is to search for all the information, for all the gossip, and that’s probably something I need to train myself not to do around here.

I can scratch my nosy itch with my Deaf friends and make sure I’m not too in the know when it comes to Archie’s life. Istill don’t know why they’re here, and—it occurs to me in this moment—I don’t know if they’re staying.

Maybe they’ll be leaving the moment they’re done with the thing Percy’s supposed to be taking care of.

And I have no idea what that will mean for me and Archie. I can’t just pack up and move. I wouldn’t want to, even if he asked. My job and my drag shows are here. The family I carefully created is here.

I don’t know if I’m willing to give all that up for a man who I’m not sure won’t get bored with me after six months and walk away. I don’t think he will, but the thought terrifies the shit out of me, and I’m not sure what to do with this feeling. I know I need to talk to Archie, but I don’t even know where he is right now.

I let out a shaking sigh and sip my latte, though I can’t even enjoy how it tastes with this heaviness sitting in the pit of my stomach.

I feel a tap on my arm and turn my head to find Jasper looking at me. ‘Are you okay?’

Licking a bit of foam from the corner of my lips, I let out a tiny sigh and nod.

‘Are you lying?’

My cheeks heat. I hate how much he sees. ‘Sorry. Bad thoughts.’ I sip my drink in order to keep my hands busy, but it’s clear Jasper isn’t done with me.

‘May we speak about your stalker?’

I feel a groan rising in my throat, and I can only hope I’ve managed to swallow it down. I don’t want to think about him. I wanted to be fucking done with all of this, but it seems like he’s going to haunt every facet of my life from now until the day I die.

Or he does. Which I’m kind of hoping he goes first.

‘Sure,’ I finally say because it’s not like I’m going to turn down this very scary man’s request.

Jasper’s face softens. ‘If it’s too much?—’

‘No, no. It’s fine. Should I get my CI’s?’

He shakes his head. ‘I know my ASL isn’t the best, but I’ve been using it a long time. Nico taught me, and he’s a great teacher.’