When Lucas got home, he found Mrs. Morton waiting for him in the kitchen, a warm smile on her face that immediately put him on edge. Ms. Thomson was at the stove, expertly chopping vegetables for dinner. The familiar scent of home-cooked food filled the air, but it did little to soothe the knot of tension in Lucas's stomach.
"Lucas, dear, come here for a moment," Mrs. Morton called out, her voice dripping with an overly sweet tone that made Lucas's skin crawl.
He approached warily, every instinct telling him he wouldn't like whatever she was about to say. "What is it?" he asked, trying to keep his voice neutral.
Mrs. Morton beamed, the kind of smile that usually meant trouble for Lucas. "I've invited Dimitri over for dinner tonight. I thought it would be a nice way for you two to get to know each other better."
Lucas's blood ran cold. The last thing he wanted was to spend more time with Dimitri. "Why would you do that?" he demanded, unable to keep the anger out of his voice.
Mrs. Morton's smile faltered slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. "Lucas, he's new in town and he doesn't know many people. All he has are his aunt and uncle, who are always away. I thought it would be a good opportunity for you to make a friend."
Lucas's eyes narrowed, his temper flaring. "I don't need friends, especially not him. Why are you pushing this?"
Mrs. Morton sighed, her patience visibly thinning. "Lucas, it's just one dinner. You could be a bit more understanding."
Lucas clenched his fists, struggling to keep his emotions in check. "You don't get it. I don't want him here. Why can't you just leave it alone?"
Ms. Thomson turned from the stove, her expression sympathetic. "It's just dinner, Lucas. It won't hurt to be polite."
Lucas shot her a glare, feeling cornered. "I don't care. I don't want him here."
Mrs. Morton stepped closer, her voice dropping to a more serious tone. "Lucas, I'm not asking. I'm telling you. Dimitri is coming over for dinner, and you will be polite. Do you understand ?"
Lucas's anger boiled over. "This is bullshit!" he shouted. "You're only doing this because of how rich his family is, aren't you?"
Mrs. Morton's face hardened. "Watch your tone, young man. You have no idea what you're talking about."
Lucas glared at her, defiant. "I know exactly what I'm talking about. You're just trying to impress the Bennets. Well, I'm not going to play along."
Mrs. Morton took a deep breath, her eyes narrowing. "Fine. You don't have to like it, but you will sit at that table and be civil. If you do, I'll consider easing up on you for the next few days. Maybe give you a bit more freedom."
Lucas hesitated, weighing his options. The thought of having a bit more freedom without a middle-aged woman at his throat constantly was tempting, especially after being cooped up for so long. He knew he was cornered, and there was no way out without making things worse for himself.
"Fine," he muttered, his voice laced with bitterness. "But don't expect me to be happy about it."
Mrs. Morton's expression softened slightly. "Thank you, Lucas. I appreciate it."
Lucas stormed up to his room, slamming the door behind him. He threw his backpack onto the bed and paced back and forth, his mind racing. The thought of sitting across the dinner table from Dimitri, having to endure his presence and his attempts at friendliness, was infuriating. He punched his pillow in frustration, wishing he could punch Dimitri instead
_____________
As the evening approached, Lucas's anxiety grew. He heard the doorbell ring and Mrs. Morton's cheerful voice greeting Dimitri. The sound of their conversation drifted up the stairs, making Lucas's stomach churn. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself before heading downstairs.
When Lucas reached the bottom of the stairs, he paused, hearing their voices more clearly. He peeked around the corner and saw Dimitri wandering around the living room, looking at the various pictures and knick-knacks on display. Mrs. Morton was chatting animatedly, clearly enjoying playing the gracious host.
"Thank you so much for having me, Mrs. Morton," Dimitri said, his voice sounding genuinely grateful. "It's been a bit lonely, adjusting to a new place."
Mrs. Morton's response was warm and welcoming. "Of course, dear. We're happy to have you. And I'm sure Lucas will be thrilled to have you here."
Lucas clenched his fists at the blatant lie, knowing how far from the truth it was.
Dimitri stopped in front of a particular photo, staring at it for a long time. Lucas recognized it immediately—a childhood photo taken back when he was with his biological family, before the accident that took them away. The sight of Dimitri studying the photo so intently made Lucas's blood boil.
He stepped into the room, his anger barely contained. "What are you doing?" he snapped.
Dimitri turned, looking startled. "I was just looking at the pictures. I didn't mean to—"
"Get away from there," Lucas growled, his voice low and menacing.
Mrs. Morton hurried over, her expression a mix of concern and exasperation. "Lucas, don't be rude. Dimitri is our guest."
Lucas ignored her, his eyes fixed on Dimitri. "Stay out of my business," he warned.
Dimitri held up his hands in a placating gesture. "I'm sorry, Lucas. I didn't mean to upset you. I was just curious."
Lucas could feel his temper rising, but he forced himself to take a deep breath. "Just stay away from my things," he muttered, turning on his heel and heading towards the dining room.
Mrs. Morton sighed, giving Dimitri an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry about that. Lucas can be a bit... protective of his past."
"It's okay," Dimitri said, though his eyes followed Lucas with a hint of something unreadable in them. "I understand."
As they moved to the dining room, the tension was palpable. Lucas sat down heavily, glaring at the table. Dimitri took a seat opposite him, still looking slightly unsettled.
"Ah, Lucas," Mrs. Morton said brightly, trying to diffuse the situation. "Dinner is ready."
Lucas avoided eye contact with Dimitri. He could feel Dimitri's gaze on him, but he refused to acknowledge it. The tension in the air was palpable as Ms. Thomson served the food.
"So, Dimitri," Mrs. Morton began, her tone overly cheerful, "how are you finding Crestwood so far?"
Dimitri smiled politely. "It's been good, thank you. Everyone has been very welcoming."
Lucas snorted, earning a sharp look from Mrs. Morton. "That's nice," she said, pointedly ignoring Lucas's reaction. "And what about you, Lucas? How was your day?"
Lucas shrugged, barely managing to keep his tone civil. "Fine."
The dinner table was set beautifully, with the best china and polished silverware, all in a bid to impress their guest. Ms. Thomson bustled around, serving the food with practiced grace. Lucas sat stiffly in his chair, his mind still churning with anger and confusion from the events of the day.
Mrs. Morton cleared her throat, trying to ease the palpable tension. "So, Dimitri, how do you like Crestwood so far?" she asked, her voice bright and overly cheerful.
Dimitri smiled politely. "It's been good, thank you. Everyone has been very welcoming."
Lucas stabbed at his food, barely listening. Mrs. Morton continued, undeterred. "That's wonderful to hear. I'm sure you'll make lots of friends here."
Dimitri glanced at Lucas, a hopeful look in his eyes. "I hope so. It's always a bit daunting starting at a new school."
Lucas's fork clattered against his plate, drawing everyone's attention. He didn't look up, pretending to be engrossed in his meal.
Mrs. Morton tried again. "Lucas, why don't you tell Dimitri about some of the activities at school? Maybe you can help him get settled in."
Lucas shrugged, not bothering to respond. Dimitri took a deep breath and decided to take matters into his own hands. "Lucas, do you play any sports? Maybe we could join a team together."
Lucas didn't even glance up. "No."
Dimitri pressed on, undeterred by Lucas's coldness. "What about hobbies? Do you have any interests outside of school?"
Lucas took a long sip of his water, ignoring the question. Mrs. Morton shot him a warning look, but he pretended not to notice.
Ms. Thomson, trying to help, chimed in. "Lucas is quite good at chess. Maybe you two could play a game sometime."
Dimitri's eyes lit up. "I love chess! We should definitely play a match."
Lucas finally looked up, his eyes cold. "I'm not interested."
Mrs. Morton sighed, trying to salvage the conversation. "Dimitri, do you have any favorite subjects in school?"
Dimitri nodded, grateful for the change in topic. "I really enjoy science. The labs at Crestwood are amazing."
Lucas muttered under his breath, just loud enough for Dimitri to hear, "Great. Another nerd."
Mrs. Morton shot him another warning look, but Dimitri kept his composure. "Science is fascinating. Maybe we could work on a project together sometime."
Lucas rolled his eyes. "Doubt it."
The conversation continued in this strained manner, with Mrs. Morton and Ms. Thomson trying to steer it towards safe topics while Dimitri made several attempts to engage Lucas, who rebuffed every effort with increasing hostility.
Mrs. Morton, noticing Lucas's uncooperative attitude, felt a pang of annoyance but kept her composure. She knew how important it was to stay in the good graces of the Bennets, Dimitri's wealthy relatives. Their influence and connections could be beneficial for the Mortons, and she wasn't about to let Lucas's bad attitude ruin that.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Mrs. Morton excused herself to get dessert. Ms. Thomson followed her into the kitchen, leaving Lucas and Dimitri alone at the table.
Dimitri looked at Lucas, his expression earnest. "Lucas, I really am sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to upset you."
Lucas's anger, which had been simmering beneath the surface, erupted. "Fuck off, Dimitri," he spat, his voice low and venomous. "I don't want to hear your apologies or your excuses. Just stay away from me."
Dimitri looked taken aback, but he didn't back down. "I just want to make things right. Can't we at least try to get along?"
Lucas stood up abruptly, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. "I said, fuck off!" he shouted, his voice echoing in the dining room.
By the time dessert was served, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Dimitri's earlier enthusiasm had dimmed, but he still tried to make the best of the situation. "Thank you so much for the lovely dinner, Mrs. Morton. It's been a pleasure."
Mrs. Morton forced a smile. "You're welcome, Dimitri. We're glad you could join us."
Lucas pushed his chair back abruptly, unable to take any more. "I'm done," he announced, standing up and heading for the door without another word.
As he left, he didn't notice the faint blush that spread across Dimitri's face. Despite the harsh words and the violence of the encounter, there was a flicker of something in Dimitri's expression—an intense, almost admiring look that spoke of an unsettling fascination.
Lucas retreated to his room, slamming the door behind him once again. He threw himself onto his bed, seething with rage and frustration. The evening had been a disaster, and the thought of facing Dimitri at school the next day filled him with dread. He knew this wasn't the end of their interactions, but for now, he needed to be alone to process his anger and confusion.
A few minutes after Lucas stormed out of the dining room, the awkward silence settled heavily over the table. Dimitri, feeling the weight of the tension, set down his napkin and looked at Mrs. Morton with a polite smile.
"Excuse me, Mrs. Morton, may I use the bathroom?" he asked, his voice soft.
Mrs. Morton nodded, her own smile a bit strained. "Of course, Dimitri. It's just down the hall and to the right."
Dimitri thanked her and stood up, but as soon as he was out of sight of the dining room, he turned in the opposite direction, heading upstairs. His footsteps were light on the carpeted stairs, and he moved quietly, not wanting to draw attention.
Lucas had retreated to his bedroom, the only place he felt he could escape from the unwanted dinner guest. He paced the room, his mind still reeling from the events of the day. He didn't hear the soft creak of the floors, nor did he notice the small figure slipping into the hallway after closing the door silently behind him.
Dimitri stood quietly outside Lucas's room, his ear pressed against the door, listening intently. His breathing becoming shallow.
Lucas's frustration boiled over as he paced his room, his fingers twitching with the need for a release. His anger demanded an outlet, and he found it in the jar with the dead snake, which he pulled from his closet with a mix of grim satisfaction and anticipation. His hands shook slightly as he retrieved the small knife from the dinner table earlier, its edge sharp and cold.
He carefully unscrewed the jar and laid the snake out on a small towel, its lifeless body a stark contrast to the turbulent emotions roiling inside him. The snake's skin was cold and slick against the towel, and Lucas's twisted smile grew as he began his grisly task.
As he made the first incision along the snake's belly, the knife sliced through the flesh with a sickening ease. The sight of the glistening, exposed organs beneath the skin brought back memories of his previous kills. He remembered the pig he had gutted, its carcass a raw display of his growing control over life and death. The deer he had taken down more recently had been a cleaner, almost clinical operation, a sign of his increasing proficiency and detachment.
Lucas's hands moved with a deliberate calmness, and his mind wandered back to those earlier experiences. "Just like the pig," he muttered to himself, his voice a dark whisper. "Just like the deer. I'm getting better at this. More precise. More in control."
His tone grew more menacing as he continued to work. "Fucking creep. Always watching. Always judging. Thinks he can just waltz into my life and make himself at home. I'll show him. Just like this snake. Just like the others."
Lucas's movements were methodical, almost ritualistic, as he spread the snake's skin and exposed the organs. His hands worked with an unsettling calmness, each cut and slice reflecting his growing expertise in this macabre task. The snake's insides, slick and glistening, were a grotesque testament to his increasing comfort with violence.
"Everyone thinks they're so special," Lucas continued, his voice a sinister murmur. "So untouchable. But they're all the same inside. Just like this snake. Just like the pig. Just like the deer. They're nothing."
Dimitri stood outside the closed door, his presence barely noticeable in the dim light seeping through the crack. Dimitri had hesitated to knock, unsure of how to approach Lucas after their strained dinner. Instead, he remained quiet and still, listening intently to the chilling sounds coming from within the room.
As Lucas worked, the faint whispers and disturbing noises filtered through the door. Dimitri's eyes widened, a slow, unsettling smile spreading across his face. The dark, obsessive nature of Lucas's words resonated with a twisted fascination. Dimitri's breath quickened, his heart racing with each chilling revelation.
Lucas, lost in his ritual, didn't notice Dimitri's presence. He continued to dissect the snake with a dark satisfaction, his voice growing more intense. "They don't know what it's like. They don't understand. But they will. They all will."
Outside the door, Dimitri's smile grew wider, his eyes gleaming with a disturbed excitement. He leaned closer, the chilling words filling him with a morbid thrill. The encounter only deepened Dimitri's obsession, his mind racing with the unsettling connection he felt to the boy he had come to observe.
Finally, Lucas looked down at the gutted snake, feeling a perverse sense of accomplishment. He cleaned the knife with meticulous care, wiped his hands on the towel, and placed the jar and knife back in their hiding spots. As he finished, he didn't notice the faint shuffle of footsteps outside his door. Dimitri, having absorbed every haunting word, quietly retreated, his mind churning with the dark revelations he had just witnessed.