Odd

Virgo Dacien.

He’s a bit odd, and that’s a lot coming from someone like me.

As we began walking back towards where my tiny, red, compact car was parked, which was no short stroll either, the strange man didn’t seem bothered in the slightest.

Though I couldn’t help but think of the slightest chance his prettiness was the lure to something sinister; After all, if the murderer isn’t masked, then it was always one of the best-looking people in a horror movie who was the one stabbing everyone.

“If I wanted to kill you,” he broke the silence, as if he were reading my mind, “what would’ve been the purpose of saving you in the first place?” I looked up at him, his tall stature towering over my short, 5’4 frame, just as he looked down at me, our eyes meeting. I instantly blushed, looking away as my face turned red.

“I’m sorry,” I muttered softly. Why am I apologizing for simply looking at him? 

“Sorry?” He huffed, “you don’t need to apologize; but what made you want to join the fish?”

I shook my head, “isn’t it obvious?” He went mute, and I looked up at him once more as he appeared deep in thought, studying me for a short moment before staring up at the light blue sky. I gulped, waiting for the answer that I thought was coming.

 Virgo placed his finger and thumb onto his chin with one hand while using the other to support his elbow, humming as he thought about my question. “Nope. Educate me?” He asked nonchalantly, a sly smile on his face as he looked back down at me like he thought he was clever.

I only pointed at my face without saying a single word, and he shrugged in return, as if he wasn’t getting it at all.

“U-G-L-Y.” I spelled out for him- maybe he was just all looks and no brains? It didn’t take a rocket scientist to know what I was talking about.

“Beautiful?” He quipped, appearing to be genuinely confused. “Sorry, guess I’m just not a good speller,” he grinned at me before looking forward again. “If you ever need someone to talk to, I’ll give you my number, and you reach out to me.” His soothing, deep voice was no longer joking, “I don’t ever want to read about you in the paper or online unless it’s for something good.”

As our feet crunched the leaves that had since fallen from the trees, and we marched over raised tree roots, I tried to find something to say. It was hard enough trying to comprehend that someone like him was trying to compliment me. “Why are you all the way out here?” I changed the topic, for some reason his kindness began to make me feel uncomfortable. “There’s nothing for miles in each direction, and you’re.... half naked?”

“I thought I was going to have to jump in after you. Taking my pants off would’ve been hard to explain once I saved you.” He ignored the first part of my question, but I couldn’t help but laugh at his answer to my second. 

“I suppose so,” I continued laughing, the walk becoming more of a pleasant stroll through the woods, and for a moment I forgot why I was all the way out there to begin with. I didn’t want to ruin anything, so I ignored the fact he got to me so quickly; at the same time, I was thankful.

Virgo was making me feel normal.

“But I was just finding a place to hunt when I came upon the bridge. I thought it was beautiful so I got closer to get a better look, and that’s when I saw you.”

“Thank you.” I quickly replied, my obligation to him feeling unfulfilled.

Virgo pulled a phone out of his pocket and began to hand it to me, “can you thank me by putting your number into my phone instead?” I hesitated for a moment, but he motioned again for me to take it. “It would mean a lot to me if you would. Please?”

“All I know is your name,” I started to say, jokingly as I stopped walking to peer down at his phone, then back at him. “How do I know you aren’t a serial killer, or something? And that you aren’t just wanting to sink a pair of fangs into my neck and suck my blood?” 

He blinked a few times at me, fast, as if in disbelief. “How’d you know?” he asked, a bit too serious.

I felt my smile instantly disappear, and my heart begin to pound, “Wha-”

“I’m kidding! I’m still learning the area, just moved here, and I heard this forest was great for hunting- so I figured I’d scope it out. I’m glad I did too,” he nudged me slightly while giving me a quick wink.

‘Is he trying to be cool?’ I thought to myself. He didn’t appear much older than me, but at the same time, I probably looked very young to him. 

Escanaba isn’t a huge city, but if he’s new, it’d make sense that I hadn’t run into him; I tended to keep to myself whenever I wasn’t working.  And no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t recall ever seeing anyone like him. 

Somewhat satisfied that he wasn’t going to kill me, I took his phone and went straight to his contacts to type in my name and number before saving it. “Done.” If he was somehow a secret bully, at least I’m already used to being berated.

He took his phone back and instantly put it back into his pocket without even looking at what I put in- though it wasn’t a fake to begin with. 

“Would you like to get some lunch? All this walking is starving me.” He suddenly asked me, as we continued our trek back to where I had parked my car.

“Sure.” I couldn’t help myself any longer, I smiled with nothing but pure happiness. “I’m happy I met you, Virgo,” I accidentally let slip, my brain becoming so overwhelmed with racing thoughts that they began to escape through my lips. 

Without any notice, Virgo’s hand suddenly grabbed mine softly, my body instantly filling with a welcoming warmth from the surprising furnace Virgo let off. I didn’t pull my hand away, instead, I embraced his touch. 

He didn’t say anything, but I knew in that moment, despite having just met him, that he was going to be my safe space. My person, even if it wasn’t romantic.

I squeezed his hand for a second instinctively, fighting back tears. “Do burgers sound good to you?” 

“Is that what you want?” he snickered, and I only nodded sheepishly. “Then that’s what we’re having. I could definitely go for a juicy burger.”

‘Should I be thanking all my bullies now? For helping me find the one person outside of my foster parents that is actually kind to me?’

No.

Fuck those people.

But I finally felt peaceful. The singing birds sounded even more beautiful, the wind had calmed down, and the smell of rushing water was soon replaced with the smell of the Earth; trees, grass, dirt, flowers. 

The lovely smell of Virgo’s cologne.

I needed to know more about him. My hero. 

I needed him.

He looked down at me again. The softness of his eyes as they peered into mine; There was no way he would do anything to harm me.