All Monsters are Human

True enough, the following evening, Chris and Amy were back and seemed just as intent on getting to know me. It was unnerving and I hoped they didn't watch the news or they might see my face plastered all over the national news.

Andy had taught himself to cook, but kept getting pestered by his mum. Amy was a kind woman with a tendancy to be over-bearing. It was obvious she loved her family though. Andy would dismiss her, but she'd keep going back to check on him.

"Mom, leave me alone. I know what I'm doing." He snapped. "Go pester Flick, or something."

That shifted the focus of her attention on to me and put pressure on me to answer any questions as best I could. Chris had barely said two words to me and I assumed if there was a problem he would tell me.

"So Flick?" Amy sat next to me on the sofa. I shifted nervously. "How did you and Andy meet?"

It was a straight-forward question, but it put me right out of my comfort zone and I had to think fast.

"We met when he saw me photographing a cat," I blurted out.

It wasn't a total lie because Andy had been there the day I took that picture. I really hoped Amy wouldn't expect me to go into great detail, but her face was imploring.

"And is photography your career?" She asked.

"No, it's what I study in college." I replied. She smiled broadly.

"I always wanted to try photography. Oh, but I wouldn't know where to start." She gushed.

Chris mumbled something and Amy shot him another scathing look. He glanced back at the magazine he was reading. I had answered my first question successfully and was prepared for the next.

"So anyway," Amy paused. "When did you both decide to get together?"

"Well, we got talking and Andy asked me on a date." I hated lying to Amy, but I knew she'd be disappointed if the truth came out.

Her eyes went to Andy. He was in the kitchen, chopping vegetables. His back was to us and her gaze went back to me.

"You've been together a while now," She seemed unsure how to go on. "Are you aware of my son's mental health problems?"

Chris' eyes lifted slightly, observing me now. I was reminded again that Andy wasn't in his right mind and our first interaction in my back garden proved that. I would never forget the lie he told the receptionist at the hotel.

"y-yes, but I don't care about that. I accept him for who he is." I smiled, hoping Amy liked my answer.

Her lips parted as though to speak and she smiled gently. I had obviously impressed her and hoped she would ease up on the questions now. She did and began telling me about her business.

Time ticked by slowly and we eventually sat down to eat. Chris did a lot more talking during dinner. He talked about the record company and what acts he had signed and which were the most successful.

"Ashley says hello, by the way." Amy interrupted during a particularly boring bit.

Ashley, the guy in the photo with Andy. I vaguely wondered what kind of a person he was. Was he also aware of Andy's problems? And did he accept them?

"I'll visit soon and we can hang out." Andy smiled. The first proper smile that night.

He didn't seem to enjoy the idea of the record company and inheriting a business. He was very dismissive and seemed to lack motivation.

"It's in your interest to listen to me, Andrew," Chris snapped. "It's time to discuss why I'm here anyway."

Amy looked worried then. Andy shot his dad an icy glare and stopped eating his pasta, laying his fork down.

"I believe you should move back to California. Stop messing around here in Britain." Chris continued.

"It's my life and if I want to 'mess around here' then I will." Andy retorted, sounding hostile.

Chris, apparently, wasn't one to just back down when Andy became annoyed. I could finally see where Andy's stubborn streak came from.

"You're wasting your time here," Chris raised his voice somewhat. "I appreciate that you've found a girlfrend, I really do, but you need to come home."

The discussion escalated quickly and after eating, Amy decided it would be best for them to leave for the evening. She hugged me before they left.

"Don't worry about Andy too much," She sighed. "Give him time to cool down."

Chris shook my hand. Amy gave her son a hug. Chris paused before leaving and marched over to Andy.

"Give it some serious thought." Was all he said before leaving.

I was left in the flat with a very annoyed psycho. I tentatively walked towards Andy and stopped in front of him. His blue eyes shot up and observed me. He must have realised that his behavior was worrying me because he smiled.

He patted the sofa and I sat next to him. He wrapped his arm around me, cuddling me closer. He sighed deeply.

"My Dad is not going to let this go." He grumbled.

"But he can't force you." I replied, trying to ease his mind.

"He can't, but he can stop paying the rent on my flat." He groaned.

I watched him as he thought things through. His eyes flitted back to me and he looked sad for a minute before quickly making his decision.

"Flick, I'm going to let you go." He said, and for a moment my brain stopped functioning.

He was letting me go. He was freeing me. Why was I feeling upset though? My eyes were stinging. Was I going to cry? Oh god, I was actually crying now. Andy leaned forward,
brushing his thumb across my cheek, catching the stray tears.

"Hey, don't cry, kitten." He kissed me then. It was a really gentle kiss.

"I could go with you." I whispered.

"No, you can't. I've been thinking about this for a bit now and I'm letting you go." He rested his forehead against mine.

"You're bored of me?" I sobbed.

"No, I love you so much," He murmured. "And that's why I need to let you go."

Evidently, this was happening sooner than I thought. Andy packed my duffel bag and we walked out of the flat. This was my first time outside in four weeks and I was miserable.

I followed him down the street and towards the bus station. It was early evening and the buses were still going. We both stopped and he turned to face me. His hands grasped mine.
"I really want to go with you, please Andy." I begged. God, how pathetic was I?

"I know. I want you to come with me too, but I've already forced you into so many bad situations," He paused. "I'm sorry for everything I put you through and I really hope you forgive me."

"I do forgive you and you might think I have stockholm syndrome, but I don't," I wanted to convince him so badly. "Please don't leave me."

He sighed, leaning down, closing the distance and kissing me. I clung to him in desperation. The kiss deepened and then he pulled back.

"Here's some money," He pressed a few notes in my hand. "Get the bus to the train station and don't look back."

He left me and all I could do was stand on the street, staring at the pavement. I was free and it stung to realise that. I could have followed him, but he didn't want me to. More tears fell and I made my way towards the bus depot.

I was stopped by a hand grabbing my arm in a tight grip. I turned, hoping Andy had changed his mind and came face-to-face with my worst nightmare.

Samuel was grasping my arm in a vice-like grip. His suit was filthy and he grinned manically. I squirmed desperately.

"What a touching scene that was," He giggled. "Poor young girl in love with a freak."

I struggled again and opened my mouth to scream when his hand clasped over my mouth, silencing me. I whimpered against him and he grinned again.

"Don't struggle, bitch." He glared at me. "I've waited for such a long time for this moment."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a rag. I started struggling again and he lowered his hand and the rag was pressed to my face. The world began to spin and then it went black.

Notes

And Samuel is back! Thank you all for the reviews and this story will be coming to a close real soon. Then I will be starting another story, but I will discuss that later.