I slumped against the toilet nursing my wounds when Gavin stormed in.

“What the heck was that back there bro?”

“I’m pretty sure it was the Kelpie if you didn’t happen to see a giant dark horse try to trample and drown me to death.”

“Don’t be a tool,” he said. “I’m serious. Why would you go throw your life on the line like that? You’re really that stupid? We had a perfect opportunity to flee and you ran back in there like some kind of maniac with a death wish.”

I tsked. “Where’s this coming from man? You helped me fight the Gwyllgi and the Kelpie last night.”

“Both of those times we were defending ourselves. Now, you’re actively running into danger.”

“Yeah, that’s what a man does.”

He stepped up towards me, his chest jutting out. I stood up to meet him face-to-face. I had to look up to him. I hated that he was taller than me. We glared into each other’s eyes and I could feel his hot breath coming out of his nostrils on my face. “You got something to say to me, Gavin?”

He ran his fingers through his hair and grunted. “Man, you’re so difficult sometimes. I literally just saved your bacon and you don’t understand why I am angry with you? I stopped you from committing suicide. And you’ve got the nerve to question my masculinity? Smooth move bro.”

“I’m not questioning your masculinity. I’m just saying I know what my responsibilities are. If I don’t try to fight the Kelpie no one else will. And if I don’t stop it it’s gonna kill someone else.”

“Yeah, you. You’re gonna be the next one to die.”

I smiled at him mockingly. “Thanks for the confidence in me Gavin. I really appreciate the support here.”

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“Look at yourself dude, covered in bruises and gashes. I totally get defending yourself if something comes into your personal space, but throwing yourself in harm’s way is just stupid.”

“I don’t want to talk about this right now. I’m a little busy here.” I shrugged, raising my arms and widened my eyes displaying my injuries, obviously trying to address them.

Gavin stormed out of the room yelling, “When’s it gonna stop, Sean? When?”

I let out a heavy exhale, yelling into the living room, “I told you, once the Kelpie’s destroyed, I’ll look into the Keening!”

I heard him sink into the couch.

That shut him up. What’s his problem anyway? Couldn’t he see I was trying to prevent more death?

I dressed my wounds and threw a t-shirt on. My blood boiled. I couldn’t even think straight. I walked into the room and found Rob smearing a thick dollop of mayonnaise on a slice of pizza with a butter knife. Tain devoured a bowl of dog food.

Gavin sat on the couch with a paper plate in hand, his pizza slice untouched.

“Aren’t you going to eat that?”

“Not after watching Rob do that,” he said grimacing as Rob shoved the mayonnaise covered pizza slice into his muppet like mouth in one bite. Rob smiled big showing all of his teeth and the food he chewed “You guyvvz are miffing out. Sooo good.”

“No thanks,” said Gavin. “I’ll pass on the heart attack.”

“You mortals,” said Rob, “your stomachs are so sensitive.”

“Must be nice being immortal,” said Gavin, “never having to worry about what goes in.”

Rob giggled to himself.

“Yeah, must be nice to not always think about death 24/7,” I said, eyeing Gavin. “It must be nice to have a convenient excuse to get out of doing what’s right.”

Gavin practically dropped his pizza. “Dude, I watched Dad go through this and die because of it.”

I shook my head. I had no words for Gavin. If he didn’t understand now, he never would. I looked to Rob for support.

The hobgoblin tilted his head to one side and grimaced. “I’m going to have to side with Gavin here on this one Sean. You’re being a real jerk. At the very least you didn’t even say ‘thank you’ to your brother for saving your life back there.”

I threw my hands up in the air yelling. “I don’t need this right now.” I threw my shoes and jacket on, then got strapped with my shotgun and my new katana, Jade. I grabbed my car keys and headed for the door. Tain lifted his head and his ears perked up. “Stay,” I commanded him. Then I glared at Gavin and Rob. “Peace out losers.” I slammed the door behind me.