>>12099034"Oh, NOW I smell it!" Ozzy grins, slapping me on the shoulder.
Why are they toying with me like this? I know I haven't been the nicest neighbor, the most agreeable, but just -- just do it! If you're going to vent your primal predator urges don't tease me, not on top of everything!
"Smells like BULLSHIT!" Wolt belts out, just as the TV's lie detector goes off with an electronic buzz. The noise makes me jump, but my neighbors don't notice. Ozzy and Wolt high-five each other, then Marty. They're all cackling -- even Marty is cracking up at his own terrible joke.
I think my heart's beating again. It sinks slowly back into my chest, and for the first time in what feels like years, I take a breath. An uneasy smile crosses my face and I try to pretend I didn't nearly just completely break down like a spritz of Musk Mask under a deluge of sweat.
"You don't need a lie detector for a fucking spin like THAT," Marty scoffs, smugly. "I mean who the fuck leaves a TOOTH at their side chick's house? What the fuck kind of surreal body-horror shit is this?"
"Oh, don't be such a high horse, Marty. Like you've never lost a tooth and forgotten where you left it," Wolt chides with a roll of his eyes.
Marty nearly spits out a mouthful of grape soda. "What the fuck?!"
Ozzy's laughter has reached fever pitch. He sloughs off the couch, freeing me up to move, and I uncross my legs and hop off the couch.
Al sniffs the air, and his brow knits. Wolves are keen, but his muzzle's caked in concrete dust. I doubt he can smell a thing.
Still, better not linger.
"Hey, Remmy, you going somewhere?"
"Just gonna catch up on some sleep, Wolt," I shrug back as nonchalantly as I can, desperately ignoring my voice cracking. "I have a date with my bed."
And the corner of my table.
I'm at the foot of the stairs when Al stands and I freeze.
"Hold up, grazer."
Fuck. Oh fuck me.
"You left your chips. Mind if we finish 'em?"
"Help yourself."
I really need to fucking move out.
---Fin---
