âWell, I am good at getting what I want.â She offered with a smile and a shrug. âEven when it comes to assisting others. Plus, you said these woods were unfamiliar, did you not? While I am more than happy to accompany you on another run or walk in the near future, for now I am more aware of them than you are.â Besides, as much as she might have loathed to admit it, she did have to make sure that Reilly did not come to any grave danger. She had almost killed her own father, her own flesh and blood, but the idea of willingly leaving someone vulnerable all alone was none too appealing.
At least right now, at least when she had no need to cause nightmares, and not when the person in question sparked as much curiosity in her as Reilly did. Or perhaps she just simply did not wish to cause him pain. It would not have been the first time, though Evelyn cursed herself for sympathizing too much with humans. But she was her motherâs daughter - and perhaps that was where it came from. A much better explanation than that sheâd connected with them because she was partly human.
Though if she were fully honest, that might have - must have - played a role, too. That and the fact that she did not wholly lack any trace of empathy or care.
âI have found that it benefits to be perhaps overly responsible in this town, sometimes.â Evelyn brushed her fingers against her nose. âPlus, I have been informed that proper first aid is of utmost importance.â She giggled. âOr so my nannies said - and before you comment on that, yes I did have nannies. Not important right now, though.â
At his next comment, she replied - âI am sure.â She offered another gentle smile. âTruly.â
She nodded at his comments. âWell, from my interactions with her she does seem quite lovely, if a bit reticent at times.â Another shrug. âBut I am certain she is brilliant at what she does. Though I obviously cannot speak from personal experience.â She carded a hand through her hair. Wondered if that was too dark of a joke to make, but she brushed by it. âI have lived here for four years - just over, technically. What do you teach at the high school? I never attended proper school, except briefly for nursery. Otherwise I had many tutors for a whole host of subjects.â Details about her life that were personal enough without giving too much away.
âFair point, but usually I am decent at judging how others are. I feel as though you are genuinely intelligent, but who am I to say?â She smirked back up at him. She considered apologizing on behalf of the sound that the birds were making, but the thought passed as quickly as it had come - if it kept them alive, there was no need to apologize. âShould we attempt to make an escape, or would you rather stay here and see if they leave?â She raised an eyebrow, and slightly loosened her grip on Reillyâs wrist, though only just so. She was not about to be responsible for his death by way of bizarrely murderous birds. No matter how hypothetically delightfully horrific they were, at least in theory.Â
âThough Iâd never admit that to one of my students, that is a helpful skill to have in life. Something to smooth the way, as it were.â He smiled gently as he listened to what she was suggesting. âWell, if youâre interested and it truly isnât an imposition, then  may just take you up on that offer. Though I have to warn you that although Iâm not a seasoned runner, I am a naturally talented and gifted athlete,â He was being incredibly sarcastic, as was his way. âI canât guarantee that youâll be able to keep up with me.â He smirked gently, adjusting his glasses again in a futile attempt to get the heavy frames to sit comfortably on his face. Apparently it was his curse to bear.
Though he was fully willing to accept the help of a stranger who was apparently so readily volunteering it, there was a paranoid part of him that reminded him that he lived in Ashkent Creek. In a place where vampires and werewolves were real. Though Evelyn seemed perfectly lovely, a small part of Reilly wondered what she could be. But he wouldnât allow himself to live life as a paranoid recluse. Besides, somehow, though sometimes he wasnât quite sure how, he had managed to survive the past few months. Which included but was not limited to, killer snowmen, massive rock covered creatures that he didnât have a name for and a killer ghost named salty susan.Â
Somehow, he was sure that he would be ok.Â
Or at least he hoped so.Â
âWell, I guess that if everyone takes more responsibility and tries to look out for everyone else, then it can only end well, so Iâll give it a go.â He shifted his now bandaged hands into his pockets. âWell, Iâm a history teacher, and you would not believe the number of great historical figures who died due to poor medical practices. Genghis Khan, Attila the Hun, Wellington, the list goes on really.â He shrugged gently. âI wonât judge, I uh, spent a lot of time looking after my younger siblings and I wouldâve killed for a nanny, or even a team of nannies.âÂ
Gently nodding, Reilly smiled. He was glad that he had run into Evelyn, although it had initially been a painful experience, and the weird interaction with those terrifying birds had been a bit surreal, overall it had turned out rather well. There had been plenty of much worse meetings for him. Like the first time he met Regan in Ashkent Creek.Â
âShe usually has good intentions, even if she isnât the most socially able to express that,â he laughed gently. He loved his sister dearly, but sometimes getting her to act in a socially acceptable way was tough. It was part of her charm though, and he wouldnât change it for the world. âShe is truly brilliant, I am very proud of everything she has achieved, she has done very well for herself.â He laughed gently at her joke, there was an appropriate time and place for dark humour.Â
Focusing on Evelyn again, he listened carefully to what she had to say. âWell, as homeschooling goes, tutors are the best way to do it. Iâm not even convinced that youâre missing out on anything in high school. Our current system could not be anymore broken, its ineffective and needs a complete overhaul. So youâre kind of dodging a bullet.â He was partially joking. Only partially though.Â
âWell, this might just be my ego talking, but I too feel like I am genuinely intelligent, but then again even an idiot thinks that he is clever.â Overall, things were going pretty well. âLets not push our luck.â Reilly had taken a moment to reply, considering their situation carefully. âWeâll get out of here and come back another time, maybe one of us should contact animal control though, so they can at least do something because those birds looked semi-dangerous.â He looked over to his car, âDid you drive? I can always give you a lift somewhere and we can come back for your car later?âÂ
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