Chapter 8

Colin

Asmall lump was beginning to form on Maddy's forehead, white in the middle and red around the edges. He'd go home with a smarting bruise for sure. I toyed with the idea of taking him up to the on-call doctor upstairs, but he had not lost consciousness and he was coherent. I did want to watch him to make sure, but probably he was fine. That weird protective feeling overcame me again. I wanted to keep Maddy by my side.

He was hesitant at first to come with me. Pulling back.

"Do you want to stay in here, then?" I asked. If he did, I couldn't watch him full time.

He shook his head no.

"Well, you can come back in a while if you want. I just want to keep an eye on that lump on your forehead."

He reached up with the hand holding his unicorn and felt the area with the tips of his fingers.

"You might not want to touch that."

"Ow." He reacted softly, almost as if ashamed. "Is it starting to bleed?"

"No." I felt his small hand flex in mine. "Just a little bump."

"How big?"

"Not big. Let's hope it doesn't grow into a goose-egg."

His eyes widened. "Oh no! Would that happen?"

"I doubt it. But come with me and hang out. Learn the ropes for being a bouncer while we keep an eye on it, okay?"

"Is it safe?"

"Yep. You're safe with me. I promise." But could I really promise something like that? My job was somewhat dangerous. And I was being stalked. At least the stalking was only by text. For the time being.

"This is my first time coming here," he said.

"I figured you for a greenie."

"What's a greenie?"

"Someone inexperienced. First-timer. Virgin."

He blushed so prettily when I said that last word.

"I'm sorry your first experience was like this. Usually, the littles room is the safest place in the entire club. We rarely have any dramas in there."

He nodded. "I never told anyone before." Again, his words came out soft and lilting, pretty.

"Told anyone?"

"About me being little. That's what Dan called it. Little. He found out and I didn't want anyone to know. Then he brought me here. I didn't know there were others like me. Not for real."

"Hopefully you'll have better experiences after this."

I noted the door opening and two cleaning staff came in. They went straight to the overturned glass, then mopped up the carpet. One of them ran a vacuum over the stain that sucked out the liquid and left behind a tiny trail of soap suds and a faint lemony scent.

The other boys who were coloring had moved to another table. Everything had quieted again.

"I'm sorry I spilled." Maddy bowed his head.

"You didn't. None of this is your fault. So, little one, are you ready to go or have you changed your mind?"

He blinked up at me. "Go with you. Colin. Please."

"Good choice. I'll take good care of you."

Again, his face flushed a little. Lightning spikes shot through my stomach. He was greener than green, this one. As if he'd never been touched. Innocence was my jam if it wasn't too faked. Maddy looked as pure as could be.

"Did you bring anything else with you that you need?" I asked.

"No. Just him." He touched his chin to the unicorn in crook of his arm.

"All right, then." I led him to the door.

"Are you sure I'm not a burden?"

"Not at all."

With a boy to watch while doing my job, things would be busier. But I liked being busy. I liked to keep my mind occupied. It took my thoughts away from boredom, from the vanilla world outside, and from stalkery texts.

Maddy would be just fine. I knew it. And definitely not a burden at all.