BEAUTIFUL MONSTER

2 : A Feeling You're Using Me

The lady glanced at me with disinterest behind the bullet-proof glass, her fingers tapping away at the keyboard as if it somehow made her look important. I knew before I even spoke that snitching was going to be a waste of time.

"So you're saying you've seen a man in the forest?" She said, chewing whatever was in her mouth obnoxiously.

I gripped the counter, leaning forward, desperately wishing there was a chance she'd believe me but it looked like she had already made up her mind. "Yes Ma'am, I think --"

"Would you be able to describe this man?"

"Well," I said and thought hard. "He was tall, a blonde-brunette, blue eyes, creepy aura--"

"Hmm," she nodded, one eyebrow raised. "Is this some sort of Twilight fantasy of yours?"

"What? No! I think he's that man in the forest, the one everyone is talking about. You must've heard of him!"

She sighed heavily, giving me a pitying look. "Listen sweetie, I think you should go home, go on Twitter or Facebook or whatever it is you kids do nowadays and stop wasting my time. And please, stop leaning on the glass. I don't think your parents would be pleased if they'd have to pay £500 for your mistake."

"But you have to believe me! He's there, in the forest! I even spoke to him and he threatened to kill me! You can't just ignore me!" I yelled as two police officers went past.

They chuckled, looking over. "What's this about, huh? What's got you all worked up, honey?"

The women behind the glass spoke before I could. "Bianca, is it? Well, Bianca here is telling me how she's seen a man in the forest."

"Oooh," the skinny officer said, a ridiculous smirk on his face. "This seems like a good gossip."

The three adults laughed and I sent them my best scathing look. "What the hell is the point in having you around if you're not going to do anything?!"

Immediately, the fat officer scowled. "Excuse me, missy. Now that's no way to talk to your superiors. If there is a man in the forest it has nothing to do with you." He laughed along with the others. "I mean, there's no law against that, is there? Now unless you've seen a real vampire or dog-wolf or whatever Hollywood is feeding you, I think you should calm down and go home."

Fuming with steam rolling out of my ears and my face heated, I stomped away with their mocking and ridicule laughter trailing behind me.

Stupid adults.

* * *

"Billy's cousin told me that it's a demon, he saw him face to face!" Kelly exaggerated. She was a tall, self-obsessed and dyed-red haired girl who was currently distracting our group from doing the work the teacher set.

I turned to her, spinning my pen in my hand as I asked. "What are you talking about?"

Ross clicked his tongue. "Weren't you listening? It's about that...thing in the forest."

"Thing?" I repeated before swallowing, remembering the man in the forest. "Oh..."

"He had red eyes and fangs. Billy's cousin saw him kill three rabbits." Kelly flipped her hair, basking in the attention she was receiving.

"Three rabbits? That's not a hard thing to do, is it?" I shook my head in disbelief at the awed expression of the other listeners. I grabbed my crisp packet and ripped it open.

Kelly shot me a scornful look. "Whatever. At least he's seen it."

"I'm sure he's really seen it." I quipped.