Little Bug

I never thought Helping The Police With Their Inquiries could be so.much.fun.

To think I've always avoided them. They're not so scary. Not really. Not half. They're just normal people. Average. Trying to do their jobs. Get by. Like anyone, I suppose.

The trick is this: just fumble a bit. Act confused. Helpful, though, but not really. And a bit weird. They lap it up. Sorry, sir, it's probably a prank, sir, we have to follow up sir, you do understand don't you sir?

Yep. I understand. Just doing their jobs, right?

Didn't matter anyway. I'd already cleaned the stuff out. It felt nasty. Letting them poke around in my storage unit. I even pretended to help. Pulling out a box. Lifting up a bag. Do you need to look in here, Officer?

Ugh. It felt wrong. But I had to do it. Had to play the part. Pretend. Make like I didn't mind. Etc.

You know. Some of that stuff could have landed me in trouble. If they knew what they were looking at. They don't, though. Just average, see?

That's why they aren't scary. When you see them up close. You realise. They're ordinary.

People like us, we aren't ordinary.

I saw his car there. Squatting like a bug. The headlights like eyes. Big. Watching. I was careful to not-look at it. He thinks he's smart. Cleverer than me. Maybe he is. Maybe we'll find out. Makes my heart beat faster.

I still think we could've been friends. Maybe we still could be. I dunno.

After the police were done... in there. After they finished. Raking my insides up. Making me feel sick. Then I locked up. Slow. Normal. Mostly.

We came out into the sunshine, and I made my voice stay calm. Polite. I made my feet go step step. Like I wasn't itching to run back in there and put it all right again.

That car. Still waiting. With him sitting inside. Looking at me.

thump thump thump

I didn't look I didn't look I didn't look

thumpthumpthumpthumpthumpthump

I wanted to give him a little wave. Friendly. But I didn't. I stuffed my hands in my pockets instead. I felt hot.

I dunno, now that I'm the giant and he's the ant... He's growing on me.

Still. I like being the giant that knows, and smiles. I didn't like being the little crawler. Always a step behind. Flustered. Hating that square, tanned face. All freshly shaven. Smooth and rough.

It's better to stay a step ahead. Not let on how much I know. Even if I, like, really want to.

It's like he's on the ground in front of me, squirming. Delicious.

I duck my head to hide my smile.

Your move, little bug.