The Destroyer

Selene- Dodging

“Who are you, Caleb?” I asked as the man appeared once again.

I couldn't tell how long it had been since he had first visited me. His hair was now dark red. He wore a pinstriped suit that made me think he was from another decade. Or maybe another century. We both sat on a bench together, facing each other, feet touching. He had a book in his hands, but I couldn't tell what he was reading.

“What song should we sing today?” He asked.

I smiled. “You're acting dodgy again.” I looked away. “You pick. I picked the last time you were here.”

“If by saying you picked you mean that you were already singing when I got here, then you're right.” Caleb stroked his hairless chin. “You make me want to sing another love song.”

I grinned, knowing the song very well. “Loud enough for everybody to hear.”

He laughed. “You make me want to sing another love song.”

“And it started from the day you appeared.” I chimed in.

The stranger grinned. “Are you scared to be here?”

I shook my head.

“Not anymore. I'm afraid of what will happen to me here, not of the place itself. And I'm scared to leave.”

He c****d his head to the side. “Scared to leave?” I nodded. “Why?”

I turned away. “One day when the light is glowing, I'll be in my castle golden.” I heard him laugh. “But until the gates are open, I just want to feel this moment.”

“Now who's acting dodgy?” Caleb laughed again.

I looked back at him. “You're not human. What are you?"

He raised his eyebrows. “How do you know I'm not human?”

“You're too perfect,” I told the stranger. “There are no lines on your face. That never happens. It's like you've never actually lived. Never laughed, never cried. It's like you've never been happy or mad. You're just blank like an untouched stone.”

“Maybe I'm a god from the old world,” Caleb answered.

I shook my head. “Even the Greeks sculpted their gods with imperfections. You're something all together.”

He studied me for a long moment. I didn't know how long he stared at me. It was so hard to tell the passing of time here. Caleb sat forward, setting his book underneath his long legs. He leaned towards me, reaching out and ruffling my hair. I grimaced, pulling away. He laughed.

“You're a smart girl.” The man said. “I can see why JC likes you.”

“How do you know him?” I asked.

“He's my best friend.” He told me.

“Does he know you're not human?” I asked him.

He thought for a moment, then shook his head. “No, I don't believe he does.”

“But I bet you know everything about him.” I retorted. “How can you call him your best friend if he knows nothing about you?”

He frowned. “He knows things about me.”

“But not the most important thing!” I exclaimed.

Caleb turned away, and I knew he wasn't going to answer me. I sighed, laying back on the bench. I waited for him to say something. If he wasn't going to answer any of my questions, why should I ask? He nudged me with his foot. I barely lifted my head to look at him.

“Are you and JC close?” He asked. “What do you think of him?”

I laid back down. “We're not close. We've never met.”

“Never?” I could hear the surprise in his voice. “Not even once for the tiniest amount of time?” I shook my head. “Wow. That I did not know.”

I sat up. “I thought you were the knower of all.”

He shook his head. “If you two have never met, how does he know you?”

I shrugged. “You tell me.”