Chapter 3 – Chap 3

When we finally got back to my hut I put Nat down, and took out the phone. I opened the messenger app. It was time for Nat to explain a few things.

Me: Brother? You didn’t say he was your brother.

Nat: “I’m sorry. I didn’t think it was important.”

Me: Not important? I’m sorry, Nat. I really like you. I didn’t mean to kill someone from your tribe.

Nat: “I know Todd. It’s ok, I like you too, and he’s obviously not as dead as you thought, which is obviously a problem. There’s a lot I didn’t think I would have to tell you…”

At that moment I had two thoughts. The first was: Wow! She really likes me!

and the second was: Oh, shit! There’s more?

Nat went on to explain that her brother, Jessie, had always been a bit weird. When he was growing up while most boys were into G.I. Joe and Hot Wheels, he was into reading horror books and anything occult related. While other boys rode bikes and played cops and robbers, he was (at best) pretending to be a powerful wizard and (at worst) sacrificing neighborhood pets to various demons.

“Our parents put him in therapy. The therapist blamed neighborhood kids for bullying Jessie. They said that his fixation with the occult was because of the weakness he felt from being bullied. That him ‘sacrificing’ animals made him feel like he had some kind of power or control.

“We moved to a different town, settled in, and things were fine for awhile. Then, Jessie’s senior graduation happened. Our dad thought it was time for him and Jessie to have a guy’s weekend. Dad went all out. Bought steaks and ribs, packed a cooler full of beer, bottles of whiskey. Dad even packed his old Winchester hunting rifle that had been handed down from one generation of men in our family to the next since our great-great-grand daddy had bought it.

“Coming back from that weekend there was a wreck. Dad was driving, and was killed instantly when he hit the tree. Jessie survived, barely, but he hit his head when he was thrown from the vehicle. He ended up in a coma.

“The doctors didn’t think he would pull through, and I guess it could be said that he didn’t. When he finally came home he wasn’t the same Jessie who had left that weekend.”

Nat paused, water running from her eyes and into my fur. This time I gently put my arm around her shoulders. I kinda figured it would keep her from choking me if I did. After Nat had calmed down again, she wiped her face with her hands, took a deep breath, and started talking again.

“It’s like all the years of therapy and the move was for nothing. Jessie started getting deeper and deeper into the occult. Our mom started getting depressed after dad died. I’m pretty sure that Jessie pushed her over the edge, and she became his first human sacrifice. The coroner declared her death a suicide, but I know better. Especially, since Jessie confessed to me that he talked her into doing it. He told me that his ‘Master’ demanded it of him, and that I was going to be his next sacrifice.

“I ran away from him after that. I went to the police, but they literally just laughed at me. I was 17 then, which was old enough to be on my own. I changed my appearance, moved a lot, I was even about to legally change my name when he found me. Two years of running, all for nothing.

“I went to sleep in my crappy apartment with five different locks on the door, and a rottweiler named ‘Jesus Christ’ for defense, and he still managed to get to me. I woke up out here a couple days ago, and you know the rest.”

Me: Why is your dog named ‘Jesus Christ’?

“Because, like Jesus Christ he’s always watching over me. Well, that, and that’s what most people say when they meet him. He’s a pretty big dog.”

Nat laughed as she replied to my question, and it made me feel all funny inside again. Then, she became serious again.

“Ok, so, we need a plan. Jessie isn’t just going to leave us alone. He says he needs me as a sacrifice for him to ascend. Ascend to what, I don’t really know, but I do know that whatever he is involved in isn’t good.”

Then, Nat paused for a moment and a look somewhere between deep thought and serious constipation took over her pretty face.

“Actually, I do know why he’s after me. I… I’m a virgin.”

Me: What’s a virgin?

“Oh, my God! Really? You really don’t know?”

So, while she was laughing I used that Google thing to find out what was so damn funny.

If I’m being honest, I’m really glad that I can’t blush, and I totally understand why she thought it was fucking hilarious. It is actually pretty damn hilarious, even to me.

I mean, I understand how a big, hairy oaf like me hasn’t had the sex-thing yet, but her? Wow! I guess she must have been beating them off with a stick to keep from the sex-thing happening. I typed that out to her too.

I’m still not sure what she found funny about that, but she was laughing really hard. This is a good thing, right?

I guess it was, because a strange look came across her face, and with it a smile.

“I have an idea…” Nat said as she suddenly straddled my legs, put a hand on each side of my face, and put her lips to mine.

 “…maybe you can be my tribe now.” Nat whispered softly as she nibbled on my ear.

I didn’t exactly understand what she meant at first, but she was quick to show me.

Just when I think I’m beginning to understand you humans, I get thrown another curveball.