"Mr. Grump?" I scoffed. "Unbelievable."
"Yeah," he said with a lazy smirk. "That's what I heard your name is."
His eyes glittered with amusement.
"No wonder you refused to introduce yourself that day," he continued. "I mean… who would willingly say, 'Hi, I'm Mr. Grump'?"
He laughed — soft, controlled — but I could feel the mockery hidden inside it.
"I'm sorry if I made you uneasy back then," he added, rubbing the back of his neck as if pretending to think deeply. "But don't worry. The name actually suits your face."
That was it.
"Hey!" I snapped.
"Hey!" he shot back instantly. "Who said you could shout at me? You haven't even apologized for pushing me into the pool after I saved your life."
His tone shifted slightly — almost offended.
"I wonder why a heart could be as cold as the face," he muttered, playing the victim.
"Hey!" I yelled again, my hands trembling. I was beyond irritated now.
"Who gave you the right to body shame me?" I demanded.
He blinked innocently. "Did I body shame you?"
"Or are you feeling guilty?"
That innocent face.
I wanted to slap it.
Right then, Dave returned, holding a small box in his hand. The embarrassment hit me like a wave.
"Who's this?" Dave asked.
Before I could respond, the weirdo stepped forward.
"I'm Dylan," he said proudly. "And you won't believe if I tell you that this lady almost killed me right after I saved her life."
Dave frowned slightly.
"And wait," Dylan added dramatically, "and am sure you haven't heard yet that her name is Mr. Grump? I was shocked when I found out."
"Enough!" I snapped for the third time.
This time, he finally went quiet.
"Let's go, Dave," I said, grabbing my heels from the floor and walking away without looking back.
"What about—?" Dylan started, confused, but I ignored him.
I didn't stop walking.
After a few seconds, I heard Dave's footsteps behind me.
When I glanced back, Dylan was still standing there.
Watching.
Not smiling anymore.
Just watching like a weirdo he is.
Dave caught up to me and gently grabbed my hand.
"You shouldn't take his words to heart," he said softly.
"And who said I was?" I shot back immediately.
Defensive.
That's all I'm good at.
"Goodnight," I muttered. "Thank you for tonight."
I lifted my dress slightly and walked away barefoot, leaving him standing there with the box still in his hand.
The moment I stepped inside the house, my mom rushed toward me.
"So? How did it go?"
"It went well," I replied simply and headed upstairs.
I guess makeup can't really hide ugliness.
From downstairs, I could hear my parents exchange a quiet look.
A few minutes later, I heard a car pull up outside.
Helen.
And her boyfriend.
My mom's cheerful voice filled the house as she welcomed him warmly. Laughter followed.
Bright.
Effortless.
I sat on my bed staring at my reflection in the mirror.
Why am I so different?
Tears slid down my cheeks silently.
The laughter downstairs blurred into a distant echo.
My vision slowly drifted.
And I fell asleep.
****
Deep Within the Mountains
Far from the warmth of houses and laughter…
Deep inside the woods, where the trees twisted like broken fingers…
A scream tore through the night.
Wind swallowed it.
A roar followed.
Then—
A head dropped to the forest floor.
Blood spilled into the soil.
Silence claimed the woods.
Two figures descended from the darkness, landing softly among the trees.
Demons.
One of them walked toward the severed head and lifted it casually.
With no hesitation, he tore the skull open and pulled out the brain.
He took a bite.
"Mm," he grumbled with satisfaction. "This one is tasty. I told you."
The other demon stepped over the mutilated body, retrieving his hooked blade.
"Enough," he said coldly. "Let's go."
"Let's stay a little," the first one replied, plucking out an eye and offering it. "Dinner shouldn't be rushed."
"No time," the second demon replied sharply. "Unless you're ready to lose your head and serve as breakfast for the beasts by sunrise."
The first demon snorted, tossing the empty skull aside.
It rolled across the forest floor.
Then—
Both figures vanished into the night.