He slipped into a chair, trying to make it look casual, though his hands still trembled when he reached for the mug on the counter. The men inside leaned forward, eager for his story. “So,” one said, “did you meet our monster?” A ripple of laughter rolled through the room.
Erik forced a smirk. “The only thing out there tonight was empty water,” he lied. “You all hear what you want to hear.” Marta’s eyes narrowed. “Funny,” she said, “how empty water leaves a man white as chalk.”