Lesson 53- Running is for the playground, not the living room.
“What the hell happened and how did a wendigo get into my building?” He demands, glaring at Laura who shrinks back under his gaze. Torin is furiou and Laura is freaked out and drunk. I don’t think she’s able to answer yet. She needs a minute. I decide to draw Torin’s attention away.
“What’s a wendigo?” I chime in. Partially to distract him but mostly because I want to know.
“It’s a spirit that possesses humans. It changes them, gives them strength, speed… Stuff like that.” Torin explains. Laura shudders.
“You forgot the most important part. The spirits can only possess a human who has consumed other humans. They possess cannibals. Then once they’re possessed that’s all they can eat. It’s why he was so thin, he probably hasn’t succeeded in hunting for a while.” She explains. I stare and think back to what the wendigo said. He said Kyle looked tasty. So he wanted to take Kyle to…
“I think I’m going to throw up.” I admit. Torin sweeps me up into his arms and rushes me to the bathroom. We make it just in time for me to vomit in the toilet. I rinse my mouth, then decide to just brush my teeth properly. Torin hovers over my shoulder looking contemplative.
“But why was the wendigo HERE? He must have known this is my territory, it would be stupid to hunt here. Why did he want Kyle so badly?” He wonders aloud. I freeze. Shit. He hasn’t realised who the wendigo actually came here for. He’s not going to be happy.
“Torin… The wendigo didn’t come for Kyle. He wanted to take me. Laura stopped him and he tried to take Kyle to make me go outside.” Torin swears and I sigh but keep going. Better to rip it off like a bandaid and tell him everything now.
“He… He knew my name. He knew I would be here, he was expecting to see me. He said he couldn’t go back empty handed.” The more I think about it the more freaked out I get.
“I didn’t know him. Why did he know me? Why does this keep happening to me? What did I do?” I ramble, panicking. Torin reaches out and grabs my hand, squeezing it reassuringly.
“I won’t let anyone take you.” He says firmly,
“Promise?” I say quietly and Torin nods.
“I promise.” He says sincerely then frowns.
“I don’t understand how he got so close. He shouldn’t have been able to get inside. There’s a barrier spell on this building. I paid Laura very well for it.” His face darkens.
“Laura. Come here.” He demands. Laura stands in the bathroom doorway.
“Yes?” She says softly.
“Explain to me how the wendigo got inside. Isn’t there a barrier spell. I know the one on the font door is only active when the door is locked, but the back entry is supposed to be more secure. Only people who are invited should be able to get inside. Why didn’ t your spell work?” He demands. His tone isn’t harsh, but it is firm and since Laura is already terrified of him, she looks a little like she’s about to pass out. I approach her and give her a quick hug.
“It’s okay Laura, just explain what happened. You saved me with that shield spell thing tonight you know, you saved Kyle too.” I remind her, hoping to help her feel more confident. I think it works because she straightens her shoulders.
“Alright. I… I’m not sure exactly. But I think it was because Kyle was there. Magic doesn’t work on dwarves, so whenever he steps through the spell it’s weakened. It doesn’t usually matter, it’s only for half a second and hes blocking the door when it is, but since he was unconscious and only his legs were out the door, he weakened the spell. It’s working fine again now.” She assures him. Torin looks unhappy, but not angry. I don’t think Laura sees any difference though.
“Do you think the wendigo knew that Kyle could weaken the spell and did it on purpose? Or was it just luck that he took advantage of?” Torin questions. Laura shrugs, I frown.
“I think it might have been on purpose. What was the chance that the wendigo was standing, waiting for someone to unlock the door so he could knock them out without entering? And Kyle is always the one to go home first, anyone who watches this place would know that. He stayed later than usual today, but even so, there was a fairly high chance that he would be the one leaving.” I explain. Torin’s expression darkens further.
“I’m going to have to guard the entrance when people come and go.” He decides. I shrug.
“I have a question, if the front door has less security, why not just come through there?” I ask. Torin shrugs.
“Lots of witnesses, plus there’s a higher chance of running into me. During the day that door is locked and basically impenetrable. The back door is the same when it’s locked too.” He adds. That’s reassuring. At least I know I’m safe when I’m asleep.
Laura has sobered up a bit and decides to go to the hospital to check on Kyle. I’d go with her but… Well, I can’t. It’s very frustrating. Even worse, I have no phone so she can’t even message to update me. Even stressed and slightly out of it she was put together enough to remember to take her laptop and phone with her. I’m tempted to search the kitchen for Kyle’s phone, but it’s probably in his pocket anyway and quite frankly I’m far too tired for that. Catcher closes up the bar and Torin locks up. I take the chance to check in on Jane and to give her a few empty bottles as a snack. True to his word, Torin checks the back door and stands over it while Catcher is leaving, just in case. I’m about to go to bed when I realise that Torin is sort of hovering in the hallway. His expression is begging me to come and talk to him, although I doubt that HE realises it. I march myself over and pause in front of him.
“What’s up?” I ask casually. Torin has his usual poker face, but even through it, there’s a hint of softness in his eyes.
“Are you really sure that you’re alright. That you wern’t hurt?” He confirms and I nod.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Nothing more than tiredness and a few bruises” I comment. He nods and I expect him to walk away. But he doesn’t. Instead he stands there awkwardly.
“Is there something else?” I ask. Torin sighs.
“I just wanted to be sure you weren’t too… Well you said you were okay physically, but…” He trails off and I can see the concern in his voice. Awww, he’s just worried. I reach out and pat him on the arm.
“I’m totally okay, just really tired.” I explain. Torin nods and relaxes a little. Although he still looks suspicious. I go to bed, convinced that I’m unbothered. But partway through the day I wake from a nightmare about cannibals. Maybe Torin was onto something after all.
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