The Mute and the Liar (64 page)

I
can’t
say
the
same
for
this
drink
though.
It’s
strong
and
bitter
and
clogs
up
my
throat
and
gurgles
against
it,
sending
me
spluttering.
How
can
anyone
drink
this?
It’s
disgusting.

And yet
when
I
look
back
down
at
the
glass
it’s
already
half-empty.
Jory
gawks
at
me:
“
You’re
not
supposed
to
drink it
all
straight
away!
”
Wonderful.

So now he
tells
me.

I
lower
my
glass
and
it
suddenly
hits
me
that
I
can’t
see
.
There
is
a
throbbing
between
my
eyes
and
has
cast
a
thick,
buzzing
fog
inside
my
skull.
Interesting.

His
hand
falls
on
my
shoulder, steadying me.

“
It’s
all
right,
that
will
go
away
in
a
few
seconds.
It’s
just
because
you’ve
gulped it
down
so
fast.
Just
drink
slower
next
time,
okay?
”

I
nod in
agreement
and he
pats
me on
the
head like
a
parent
to
a
child and
then
makes
way
for
the buffet
table.
It
only takes
a
few
seconds
for
him
to
be
replaced
by
a
tall,
gangly
figure
clad
head-to-toe
in
black
and
chains.
The
figure
pushes
through
the
crowds
to
hug
Jayce
and
they
scream
at
each
other,
both
inaudible
over
the
pulsating
sound
of
the
music.
It’s
only
when
Jayce
lets
go
of
him
that
I
see
who
it
is
–
Ryo.
Jayce
says
something
to
him,
slaps
his
shoulder
in
some
strange
male
parting
sequence
and
then
disappears
into
the
depths
of
the crowd,
out
of
sight.

Ryo
turns
to
inspect
the
rest
of
our
group,
his
eyes
falling
on
me.
I
am
numbingly
paralysed
by
what
he does
next.

He hugs
me.

It’s
so
brief
and
he
leaves
so
much
distance
between
us,
but
it
still
chills
me into
motionlessness.

“
It’s
Alicia,
right?
”
he
shouts,
but
I
only
just
hear
it
over
the
music.
Ryo
looks
straight
at
me,
something
intimidating
and
laced
in
safety
pins
swallowing
up
his
pupils.
“
What
website
did
Jayce
buy
you
from
then?
I
might
have
to
start
dabbling
in
online
shopping
myself
seeing
as
I’m
obviously
missing out
on such good offers.
”

I
think
he’s
already
had
too
much
to
drink.
He’s
leering
over
me
like
a
giant
goose. He
pushes
his
face
even closer,
so
now
it
looks
like it’s
just
about
hanging
off
the
end
of
his
long,
reeled-out
neck.
His
hot,
acidic
breath
reeks
of
alcohol.
If
he
wasn’t
close
enough
already,
he
takes
another
step
in.
I
can’t
cope with this.

My
hand,
absent
from
all
command
and
connection
with
the
rest
of
my
body, jerks
out
and
strikes
his
cheek.

It’s
a
mad,
automated
moment,
a
moment
of
scarlet.
I
didn't
think.
It
just...
happened.
I
regret
it
immediately.
I
can’t
believe
what
I’ve
just
done,
the
rift
in
time
I’ve
just made.

I’m
wincing
and
scrambling
backwards,
slamming
into
the
people
behind
me, sure
he’s
about
to
hit
me
back,
or
even
worse.

When
nothing
strikes
me
back,
I
risk
a
quick
glance
and
open
my
eyes.

Ryo’s
leaning
forwards
holding
his
cheek
and
his
eyes
jitter
all
over
me
as
though
I’m
made
of
light
and
so
it
stings
too
much
to
focus
on
one
place.
He’s
clearly
shocked,
but
there
is
also
an
amused,
wonder-glazed
look
in
his
eyes.

A
few
seconds
pass,
and
he
still
doesn’t
retaliate.
Finally,
after
exhaling
a
vacuum-packed
breath,
he
suddenly
bends
backwards,
throws
his
head
back
and
laughs.
It’s
a
sharp
cackle
caught
right
in
the
cages
of
his
throat
and
I
can’t
decide
whether
it’s
real
or
not,
but
it
sends
relief
crashing
right
through
me.

“
That
was…
brilliant,
”
he
breathes.
“
The
most
real
thing
I’ve
felt
in
years!
”
he
pauses,
then
looks
at
me
directly,
his
voice
suddenly
sharp
and
cutting.
“
Hit
me
again.
Go
on,
do it.
Do
it!
”

I
just
stare
at
him
blankly.
He
seems
to
realise
I'm
not
going
to
hit
him,
so
he
then
asks
something
that makes
my
head
throb.
“
Mind
if
I
borrow
you
for
a
bit?
”

For
a
start,
I’m
not
a
toy
for
goodness’
sake!
I’m
not
something
to
be
passed
around
and
borrowed!
And
secondly,
I
especially
don’t
want
to
be
anywhere
near
that
goose-faced…
goose.