“What are we doing now?”
“Listening for a sparking sound and checking for anything hung up on the wires.”
Light flickers and he stops, his eyes lighting up as he drops to the ground. “Go turn the box off. I thinkwe found our culprit.”
I hit the off switch, and when I come back, he’s tugging at a loose string. “One of the wires is broken. I’ll tie the two pieces together and we should be back in business. A sheet bend knot is best.”
“Okay, I’ll stand here and observe.”
“You sure you’re not the one who likes watching people?” He shoots me a grin.
“I’m sure.” Although, I don't mind looking at him while he's bending down with his jeans hugging his body.
Finishing up the demonstration, he places his hands on his thighs and straightens his stance. “Yeah, and that’s because you’re the type of person who likes to be seen. Don’t worry, Little Bo. I see you just fine.”
My heart jumps in my throat. “What did you say?”
“The fence should work just fine now. Go ahead and test it.”
I take out the meter my brother keeps by the front door and the lights don't light up for long and he snatches it from my hand, yanking the metal piece from the ground. “It does you no good having a broken meter. You can hold onto mine for me. We’ll need it later for more fence testing, so don’t lose it.”
“Are you . . . Did you . . .” I stumble on my words and he cups my cheek.
“You’re looking very flushed. Go inside and cool down before finishing up your chores. It’s only going to get hotter.”
Turning around swiftly, he moves in quick strides back to his four-wheeler and hops on, giving me a wave. “I’ll see you around. I need to get ready for an eight a.m. meeting.”
He turns his key and squeezes the handles, whipping around me and zooming back to his house. I stand here, tongue tied and light on my feet as I watch him disappear into the dark. It’s him. Or am I only hearing what I want to hear?
“Yeah, and that’s because you’re the type of person who likes to be seen. Don’t worry, Little Bo. I see you just fine.”
Eight
Patrick
My doorbell rings and I had no idea there even was one. I scramble off the couch and place the TV on mute as I walk toward the obnoxious sound. When I pull the door open, no one’s there, only a box sitting on the small welcome rug. Would anyone notice if I switched it for a fuck-off rug?
Staring at the box, I put one foot forward and lean out the door. Everywhere I look is empty of people and animals. I start to panic and then I remember I moved the sheep to the backyard.
There’s no label or note, so this wasn’t shipped. Someone personally delivered the package. My heart skips a beat and I lean down, picking up the package. Taking the mystery item or items inside, I kick the door shut behind me, then I set the box on the table to study it some more before grabbing a knife from one of the kitchen drawers. My hands shake as I cut the tape and open the flaps. I’m first greeted with pink tissue paper, and when I don’t see any of it stained with blood, I dig deeper and freeze when I see a dark tan dildo at the bottom.
How did this get here? Is this the gift Sheep Finder was talking about?
“Yeah, and that’s because you’re the type of person who likes to be seen. Don’t worry, Little Bo. I see you just fine.”
My neighbor’s words are louder in my ears this time, and I lift the sex toy from the box, tracing the ridges and other details. There’s no name. It could be from anyone. Someone dangerous who might break in one day. Someone I may wake up to with his fingers around my neck.
Zapping sensations travel over my skin, and as I’m about to wrap my lips around the large head, my alarm goes off. Ten minutes until eight; this was timed perfectly. Is he outside somewhere? Is he watching me?
Skin tingling, I rush around the house and open all the blinds. I have to make sure he can see me everywhere I am—off and on camera. I’m sick, aren’t I? I touch the back of my hand to my forehead but there’s no warmth from any fever.
My second alarm rings loudly in my ears, and I hurry to my room with the dildo in tow. I laugh as it seesaws between my body and arm. I figure everyone gets poked in the eye with a dick at least once in their life, but leave it to me to blind myself with a fake one.
I sit the toy down on the desk, and as I plop down in the chair, I view myself in the previewing video and connect with Sheep Finder as soon as I’m satisfied with my appearance.
Sheep Finder:You have a lot of clothes on this session.
Glancing down at myself, I laugh. I forgot I had on my regular clothes, and didn’t think to dress up for this call like I do the others. Or, more like dress down.