Chapter 13

The whole ride home Ruth stared straight ahead, not moving one bit. I knew something was up, but I figured I’d wait a while before asking about it. We’d made it home soon enough though. I grabbed my backpack from behind the seat and headed for the door. Out of the corner of my eye I saw our neighbors, a couple of centaurs who I was pretty sure were mates, glaring at me and I sighed. It wasn’t the first time, and I’m sure it wouldn’t the last. I hated being disliked and distrusted for no reason, though they probably knew the feeling better than I ever would. Turning away I followed Ruth into the apartment.

“Have you ever actually talked to any of your neighbors?” I asked, once we were inside.

“A few times over the years. They were pleasant enough, but I’ve mostly kept to myself.”

“Oh.” Ruth glanced away.

“You are human though, and they don’t really trust your kind,” she added quietly.

“I can’t say I really blame them,” I muttered.

“What’s more is you have a truck, where before there weren’t any motor vehicles here. Centaurs don’t drive, though I do see them on the bus sometimes.” I sighed again and Ruth turned directly toward me. “You’re a good man, David. Just give them some time and I think they’ll come around.”

“Thanks, and I hope so.” I adjusted my backpack and started to turn away, but stopped when I saw Ruth looking at me curiously.

“If you don’t mind me asking, what’s in the bag.”

“My shooting stuff. I went to the range with Tom.” Ruth’s eyes widened.

“Shooting, as in ... guns...?”

“ ... yeah...” her eyebrows furrowed.

“I want them out of here, now,” she said in a low growl.

“Wait, what?”

“Get rid of them!” She hissed.

“And put them where?”

“I don’t know, nor do I care!” The volume of her voice started raising. “I just want them out of my apartment!

“Hey! Your name might be on the lease, but I pay my share!”

“You brought them in without my knowledge or consent! That is not acceptable!” I opened my mouth to retort, but stopped when I realized that she had a point. I took a deep breath to calm myself, though Ruth still looked almost angry enough to lower her head and charge.

“You’re right. I should have told you about them when I moved in,” I said gently.

“You mean before you moved in,” she spat.

“Yeah,” I conceded. “Can I at least explain why I have them?” Ruth snorted in irritation. “Please?”

“Fine, but then I want them gone.” We walked to the dining area and sat down at the table, hoping that my story might change her mind.

“I’ve had to work in some pretty rough places, but there was one that was especially bad.” I shut my eyes for a moment and braced myself for the revisiting of some terrible memories. “I was put in charge of building a gas station a couple towns over ... in the slums. Turns out we were on the border between a couple of rival gangs. One of the workers there happened to be a member of one of them.”

“That doesn’t sound good...” murmured Ruth. Her expression started softening a little.

“It wasn’t. He was a good worker and we didn’t have any issues with him personally.” I took a deep breath. “But a few weeks into the job, an old beat-up SUV pulls up and some guys in masks jump out and started unloading on the place. I was out of the way in the job trailer, but Tom was on site and got grazed in the leg. He’s still got the scar. A few other workers had some grazes and near misses too. That gang member didn’t get so lucky. He took four shots to the chest. After the hitmen drove off I watched him die while Tom was trying to administer first aid.” Ruth covered her mouth in shock. “The job site closed down immediately, and there was a big investigation. Me and Tom both signed up for concealed weapons permit classes the next day. I know a couple of guys with handguns aren’t likely to stop a dedicated attack like that, but I think it’s better than being a sitting duck.”

As I finished my story, Ruth had her head low with her eyes shut.

“I ... can see why you would think that way. You still should have told me about them sooner.”

“That’s fair. You deserved at least that much. I’m sorry.”

We were both quiet for a minute.