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Coral Faust was a monster.
That’s the full thought. The only sentence. No arguments.
Well, maybe one argument. Claire mentally grumbled as she heard her husband move around upstairs.
She was the most welcoming person on the block. Always had a list of items prepared to put into a basket to welcome the new people to the neighborhood. People always smiled, told her thank you, accepted invitations that were given out shortly after for a variety of events. She knew everyone and everything there was about the neighborhood and the people in it.
But oh noooo, not Coral. Every attempt at small talk or finding out even the tiniest bit of basic information had been thwarted and THAT made them a monster. There was no other explanation. I mean, who the heck would turn down a perfectly good basket of expensive wine, fresh fruit, top tier deli cheeses and meats, and immaculate stationary?
A monster, that’s who, and Claire was going to prove they were a monster if it’s the last thing she did.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“You’re being paranoid.”
“I dare you to come here and say that to my face!” Claire yelled from across the hall, hands on hips as she glared a hole into her husband’s head.
“I said…” Mike sighed softly as he got closer. “That you’re being paranoid.”
“I most certainly am not! I just need more proof and then you’ll see--”
Taking a deep breath, he took her hands in his and looked her in the eyes. “See what? That they’re a normal person? Just perhaps shy so they haven’t spoken to you or allergic to something that was in the basket so they returned it?”
“I…” Damn, she hadn’t thought of that.
With a slight smile, he patted her hands. “Hmm, yes? Might make more sense?”
“Maybe but not even giving a thank you!?”
“So you’re upset over not being thanked? Is that what this is really about?”
“Everyone else told me thank you,” she huffed as she turned her head to the side, completely interested in the paint on the walls.
“Ok, well we have a chance to fix that.”
Claire’s head snapped back to him, eyes narrowing in curiosity. “What do you mean by that?”
“Well, I saw Coral while I was getting the mail this morning and I invited them to dinner. They ac---”
“YOU INVITED A MONSTER INTO OUR HOME!?” Claire yanked her hands from him and started storming down the stairs, trying not to panic and losing the battle with every passing second. “I can’t believe they’re going to be here! I need to find a weapon! Wait, I don’t even know what kind of monster they are yet. Dammit, ok, think!”
“No, please, stop thinking.” With a thud, Mike sat on the bottom of the stairs with an elbow on his knee and his head resting in his hand. “Coral is not a monster. They’re not out to get you. They didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. I only invited them over so that you can get a chance to talk to them and see how nice they are. All the other neighbors like them.”
“All the other neighbors are idiots!” Claire spun on her heel to face his general direction. “How can they not see the glaring signs? They’re never out until the sun is just about to set or like this morning when the sun was hidden by clouds. They didn’t accept the basket – I found it returned with no kind of ‘Thanks but no thanks’ on the front porch. Jan’s dog? The one that loves everyone? Yeah, well, they don’t love Coral! I saw that poor pup practically drag Jan across the street to get away from them three days ago.”
“Do you hear how you sound right now? This isn’t an R.L Stine book. There are NO such things as monsters. I get that you’re hurt, really, I do. But there is no need to take it to this level of disassociation. There is nothing wrong with our new neighbor and you’re going to see that tonight at dinner.”
“I’m not going.”
“Excuse me?” Mike stood up, approaching Claire.
With a glare, she crossed her arms. “You heard me. I’m not going.”
“Claire.”
“No, don’t you ‘Claire’ me.” She changed her pitch to mimic him saying her name. “You don’t get to decide where I’ll be and when. I am not going and that’s final.”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Claire bit the inside of her cheek as she sat next to her husband at the dinner table, forcing herself to smile at Coral who was seated right across from her. “We’re so...happy...you could join us for dinner.”
Coral’s smile came easily, their hands folded in their lap. “Thank you for the invitation.”
If looks could kill, Mike would’ve dropped dead as his face landed in his soup. Thirty solid minutes of arguing only landed her with a headache as she stupidly accepted a wager: Coral would come to dinner and they would all talk. If by the time they left Claire felt they were still a monster then Mike would pay her $500 and help her look into it further. If, however, Claire felt that Coral was no longer a monster then Claire would pay Mike $500 and double down efforts to make Coral feel welcome.
Claire was pretty sure she was receiving the short end of the stick.
“So, where did you move here from?” Mike smiled as he passed the bowl with salad to Claire.
“From everywhere, really. But my last location was Ohio.”
“Well, I’m sure you’ll find it a lot more warmer here.” Claire handed the bowl to Coral, almost dropping it when their hands met. They were freezing!
Eyes wide in shock, Claire recovered and set the bowl on the table while Coral looked upon her sheepishly. “And for that I’m thankful as you can see. I sincerely apologize, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“I...it’s all right. Some people are just cold natured,” came the very weak reply as Claire’s wheels started spinning. She was close, she could feel it! If only she could get a few more clues. Maybe even one more big one.
“I’m so grateful for your understanding.” They smiled wide as they looked at her. “Both in this matter and the matter with the basket. I sincerely apologize for not accepting your gift but I just couldn’t accept such a beautiful gift without returning one of my own. I did not mean to cause any offense and I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.”
Mike nudged Claire in a not so subtle way with a ‘See?’ look and gesture.
Claire’s lips pursed as she returned it with an annoyed look, quickly facing Coral with a dazzling smile. “I see. Well, I accept your apology and hope that we can move on from this moment forward.”
“I would adore that. Thank you so much!”
With that, all three people began to eat. They engaged in small talk here and there. Claire couldn’t help but notice, however, that Coral’s soup nor salad was changing its positions in their bowl. In fact, all the levels looked the same in the wine and water glasses as well. There was only one thing that could explain this.
They were not eating.
Perplexed, her eyes went from the bowls to Coral to ask if everything was ok only to find Coral looking straight through her, not at her. With a strange little smile on their face, they spoke to Mike though they kept looking directly at Claire. “Mike, would you please be a dear and bring out more croutons for the salad?”
“Oh, of course, Coral! I’ll be back.”
Claire hesitated for but a moment, reaching out to try to stop her husband only to have him slip right out of her grasp as he went into the kitchen. Worrying her lip, she faced forward again only for Coral to be gone.
“So.”
Claire felt her heart hammer through her chest as she whipped her head to the right. Coral’s face only a few inches from hers.
“Now it’s just us. I’m sure you must have some, hmm. Questions.” They looked to the side, eyes coming back to Claire’s face with an uptick of the left side of their mouth once they had settled on a word.
“T-that’s one way to put it.”
Coral watched and waited but they didn’t have to wait long.
With a choked whisper, Claire hoped she chose her next words carefully. “What are you?”
“You mean that all your binocular spyings haven’t figured it out yet? None of your neighbors filled you in on the latest gossip?” A full humored laugh escaped their lips before they settled back down to look at her, the strange smile still lingering. “I’m bored. I’m tired. But most importantly than that…”
Claire could feel her pulse going wild after the pause, it taking all of her will power to not faint at the words that next came across her ears.
“I’m famished.”
Coral sat back a little then, a grin upon their face that was all teeth. Too many teeth. All sharp, glistening points appearing eager for the tiniest excuse to engage in violence.
“L-listen. Let’s not do anything rash. I don’t taste good. In fact, I taste horrible!” Claire almost fell out of her chair trying to lean back out of striking range.
Their hallow, seemingly echo of a laugh made the table slightly shake as they held their stomach and shook their head. “Oh no, don’t worry. You’re not on the menu.”
Before she could breathe a sigh of relief they continued, “Besides, I don’t eat junk.” They finished that with a pointed look, eyes almost glowing in stoicism.
Bristling and sputtering, Claire sat back up straight. “Now you listen here---”
“No, you listen! I’ve just made it perfectly clear I can come in here any time I want and you won’t be able to do anything to stop me. So what you’re going to do from now on is mind your goddamn business. Do I make myself clear?” Their look that followed booked no room for arguments.
With a gulp, Claire gave a shaky nod of her head, unable to look away for even a moment from the shadow of a person that sat before her.
“Oh and you should really find a new hobby. You suck as a spy.” With a quick smile that faded even faster then it had appeared, they went back to their seat and sat down just as Mike came back from the kitchen.
“All right, folks! Sorry about that.” Doing a double take, Mike bent to take a closer look at Claire’s face. “Honey, are you all right?”
Coral gave a mock look of concern, putting their hand to their mouth. “Oh dear. I’m so sorry for not noticing sooner.”
Her eyes snapped to Coral’s face as their eyes glinted with amusement and a quick wink before the acting continued.
“We were having such a wonderful person to person chat that I completely didn’t notice that you weren’t feeling well. Perhaps you should go lie down on the couch. By the window. That has a nice view outside.”
Closing her eyes tightly, Claire turned away and attempted to will the room to stop spinning. She knew exactly what part of the outside that window showed – Coral’s home was directly in front of that window.
“That’s a wonderful suggestion! Wow, you two must’ve had a great talk while I was away if you already know how much she loves nature and viewing all its trappings.”
“Oh yes, it was a very educational discussion.” With a sweet smile, Coral stood up with them. “Well, this has been lovely but since she’s not feeling well I really feel I should go for now.” All three made their way to the front door, Coral reaching for it to leave.
“W-we hate to see you go.” Claire squeaked out when Mike nudged her to say something.
“Mmm, and I hate to leave you. But don’t worry!” Coral looked at her, eyes flashing with their next words that Mike seemed to not notice. “I’ll return. Mike told me you make a strawberry cheesecake that’s simply to die for and I can’t wait.”
“That she does! You won’t be disappointed so please look forward to it.”
“Oh, I shall. Goodnight, Mike.” Coral shook his hand, watching as he walked away to put away the dishes and start to clean up as they then turned to a Claire that was getting more petrified by the second as she realized they were alone.
“You should go get some rest. Rest is good for the blood.”
Claire’s mouth moved but no sound came out as Coral tilted their head then walked out the door.
Dazed, Claire walked back into the kitchen after closing and locking the front door, propping herself up against the wall.
“I really liked Coral. We have to invite them over more. What do you think?”
“S-sure, whatever you say.”
Mike stopped at that, turning to look at her.
“Wait, so...are you admitting I’ve won the bet?”
“Yep...you’ve won.”
And first thing in the morning she was going to burn her binoculars.