The Hibernia Strain by Albert Peterson Read Free Book Online Page B

her. To show her that I can be confident.
    With my new and improved self belief , I lift the sword once more and point the tip in Jason’s direction. In a powerful voice I bellow, “She doesn’t want you here, so I suggest you leave now before I make you leave.”
    Emma must have noticed the change in my deportment as I catch her looking at me in her bedroom mirror, a look of admiration on her face.
    A now obviously disgruntled Jason begins to move and circles past me towards the door , making sure to give a wide berth to the sword blade which is gleaming in the sunlight from the bedroom window. I follow him out and march him to the front door. All the time he’s seething profanities at me.
    We reach the front door , and he steps outside the threshold.
    “ You wouldn’t be so tough without that sword you faggot,” he says.
    “Well if that’s what you think I am, maybe I should shove this sword up your ass and see how much you like it you homophobic shithead.”
    To psych him out, I fake a lunge forward. He stumbles backwards and lands on his arse. I grin widely, and as I’m shutting the door I laugh out, “See ya around precious. That is if those freaks don’t see you first.”
    He kicks the door several times in frustration before walking away swearing and muttering to himself.
    As much as I don’t like the guy; I hope he doesn’t attract any unwanted attention with his noisiness. That could result in us being discovered too.
    I go into the living room. By now, the sun is shining fully in the window where I had watched it ebb its way across the wall this morning. I let my attention slip momentarily as I gaze at the dust particles glistening and dancing around in the brightness. I take a deep breath.
    “ Emma,” I start, “I know you don’t really know me, but I’m asking you to please come with us. I don’t think it’s safe to be here on your own, what with asshole ex’s inside and sicko nutcases outside. I’m worried for you. I was thinking we could give you a lift somewhere safer like your parents’ farm? I’m sure they’ll be worried sick!”
    She tries to interrupt, but I’m on a roll and don’t give her a chance as I carry on my rant.
    “I mean what if something happens? Your mobile doesn ’t even work. How will you get help?”
    I ’m nearly red in the face and panting from my outburst. My recently acquired confidence from the sword wielding is shunted aside momentarily.
    Emma responds in a very matter of fact kind of a way.
    “Okay look , firstly like I said the other night my parents are abroad on holidays at the moment so it’s possible they don’t even know what’s going on over here. And secondly, fine I’ll go with you but only to make you stop your raving. It’s a little embarrassing to say the least.”
    She grins cheekily.
    “It’s a deal,” I utter, relieved that she’s changed her mind.
    “I think you’re on to something though about going to my parent’s farm. It pretty secluded so it should be free from unwanted visitors.”
    “Great then we have a plan,” I chirp.
    With our arrangement in place the mood in the room lightens and I feel more at ease.
    “Answer me this Matt. Why do you care so much about looking after me? I mean, as you just said, you hardly even know me. Like your charming friend out there assumed, I’m just a bit of ass that you want to ride right?”
    The surprise of this sudden crude question leaves me flustered. My confidence levels are now definitely back down in the dirt where they usually reside. I’m no good when put under this type of pressure.
    Growing u p as a shy kid lacking in interpersonal skills meant I never fully adjusted to dealing with certain situations. Being a loner is in my nature and it’s how I get along best in life. But who truly wants to live that way? I don’t, I never have, but ever since certain incidents when I was younger I just turned inward and away from society. The result of which is my being completely