(I wish I could save her from all their delusions)Batman weighed in early this morning, offering me breakfast on the moon. He handed me toast spread with the milky way and filled my teacup full of stars and then he tore off all of my skin and asked me how all this space felt.
I didn't know what he meant. I just know the golden rule has always been not to make him angry, because I've seen his anger directed at others and it's more frightening than space is dark.
Playing coy is not the best course of action right this moment, Bridget. What have you done?
This is none of your business.
Funny, when you need protection from him it's my business. When you need some tricky financial transaction it's my business. When you want Cole to go away again it's my business. You're my charge. I was tasked with keeping you safe from that animal but you aren't letting me do my job.
Whatever agreements you made with Cole died with him. I didn't ask for help.
Right. YOU didn't.
I swallow my stars in one gulp. Loch did?
Not in so many words but it's written all over his face. He's trying to give you everything you want and he hopes he's making the right decision in backing off and all it's doing is making you reckless and untrustworthy.
You think I should talk trust with Loch.
Batman's eyes twitch.
He's the one who told me he'd never leave and then he left! Everyone leaves. Want to know the only person who's still here? Consistently? Caleb! He's never fallen in love with someone else, never not been there when I've called. Never walked away from me. Never thrown me away.
Then why don't you just go marry him!
Maybe I will!
That's what we're afraid of!
WHAT?
That's his latest proposal. Full legal marriage. He'll give you everything in exchange for your heart. And it comes with some admissions of guilt that he wants to wait to tell you once it's a done deal. Bridget, he's going to ruin everything and he's using all of your weaknesses to do this and I'd like to beat him to it.
What did he do? What's he going to admit after we're together?
See, I was right. You'd be just curious enough to entertain the idea just to get the answers you want. I'm close to finding out but I still need time and he knows I'm digging.
Of course he does. He knows everything. What is this really about?
Protecting you and Lochlan.
Or maybe just having the advantage over a rival. I'm just a convenient toy for you and Caleb to fight over.
Bridget, it isn't like that.
How about you stop feeding Lochlan's insecurities since they don't exist anyway and worry about your own life!
How about you open your goddamned eyes!
THEY ARE.
I DON'T THINK SO.
Woah. You're loud.
It's because I'm scared too! It's too easy for Caleb to get inside your head.
Always was. Damage at such a young age does that.
I thought Claus and Joel and Sam were helping fix that.
I'm not fixable. I'm barely tolerable. I'm defective in the extreme. Possibly radioactive. Everyone can be near me for a short time only and then they die. You should run.
Stop it.
Stop what? Telling the truth? Maybe I deserve whatever fate he has in store for me. Karma. Just desserts. I don't know. Maybe I should let him do away with me.
It would be a slow death that would continue for decades.
So business as usual.
Bridget-
You know what? Enjoy the rest of your universe. I'm full.