Once inside the hotel room, Shilo took an uncomfortable seat on the bed. As Graverobber dug around in some drawers, she positioned herself on the bed, lying on one side, and propped up by her elbow. She pulled the spaghetti-strap of her little black tank down below her shoulder and tried very hard to appear seductive.
"So?" She asked, waiting for him.
Graverobber turned and his jaw fell lax at the sight of her, "Uh…what are you doing?" He asked.
"Isn't this what you wanted?" She asked, deluding her voice, making it soft, smoky.
"Well…um…no, I mean yes…it's just that…" Graverobber had no idea what he was doing. If this was anyone else, he would bound onto that bed and screw them in an instant but this was Shilo, she was a kid – he couldn't do it.
"Well?" She pressed.
"Um…not tonight. Just…go get a hot shower or something. Rest up."
"But I thought that's what you wanted."
"You don't know what I want," Graverobber's voice was scalding as he turned away, unable to look at her. When he heard the bathroom door shut and lock, he muttered under his breath, "I thought that's what I wanted too."
--
The hot shower was a longtime-lacking luxury is Shilo's life. It had been weeks since she had had one and she let the hot water stream down her, relishing in the moment. The steam filled her nose and burned, leaving her sinuses cleared and with a sense of renewal.
Shilo decided it would be cruel to use up all the water and leave Graverobber with nothing. She turned the water off and stepped out onto the cool tile floor. The room was a steam-bath and she wiped down the mirror. The steam clung to it like a magnet but she was able to wipe off most of it. Shilo looked herself up and down in the mirror. She looked…clean. It was a nice change.
She threw the terrycloth robe on that had hung from the back of the door and made her way over to her bed. To her surprise, Graverobber was pulling his coat back on and making his way towards the door.
"Where are you going?" She demanded, "You can't just leave me here!"
"I am not just leaving you here, stupid," he sneered, "I have a job to do, you know. I can't just put that on the backburner because of you."
"Then let me come!" Shilo offered.
"You're freaking kidding me, right?" Gravedigger scoffed, "I don't want some damn kid slowing me down."
"I won't slow you down!" She objected, running towards him, "Let me come! I can be of some help! I won't let you down."
Graverobber rolled his eyes, leaned back against the door, and crossed his arms over his chest. He never went harvesting with someone else – he always went alone. It was how it was done. Besides, the kid would only slow him down. She was just a kid and to top it off, a sick kid. Her "medicate immediately" bracelet would have a field day.
But then again, she did look desperate. She was gripping the towel around her and her black eyes locked onto his with determination. He couldn't look away from them nor could he say no to them.
"Damn," he cursed. The last thing he needed was a kid who had him wrapped around her little finger following him everything.
"So can I come?"
"What do you know about harvesting?" Graverobber eyed her suspiciously.
"Needle through a bug, remember?" Shilo reminded him.
"Ture," Graverobber nodded thoughtfully, "What the hell! Come along but if you slow me down, I swear you'll be out on your ass so quickly…"
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Shilo cried and for a moment, Graverobber almost expected her to hug him. She didn't though and for that, he was thankful.
--
As they walked towards the graveyard, Shilo kept her eyes peeled. She was good at looking out for people and being wary of danger. As much as the streets at nighttime creeped her out, Shilo had to admit that it was better than being all alone in that motel room.
"Alright, kid, almost there. You holding up alright?"
"Yeah," Shilo nodded, stumbling along, trying desperately to keep up with his giant strides, "Ouch!" She looked down and noticed that the leg of her jeans had gotten itself caught on a low branch. She wriggled out of it's painful grasp. Once free, she announced triumphantly, "Told you I wouldn't slow you down!"
The Graverobber looked her up and down suspiciously, "Uh-huh," his voice was tart.
Shilo felt anger flush over her, "Look, you asked me to stay with you but I cannot stay in that motel by myself. I am sorry, but I just can't! So can you just let me come along without you being such a…jerk!"
He turned on his heel and stared gruesomely at her, "A jerk?" He asked, "A jerk you say? Darling, you don't even know the meaning of the word."
"I know more than you think I do!" Shio cried out.
"Hmm…" Graverobber paused, "Just be careful, kid. There's a good amount of evil in this world."
"I know," Shilo said, her voice full of a challenge.
"And I don't want you worrying that pretty little head of yours," he cooed.
"You know, Graverobber, I am not quite as innocent as you may think," and with that, she pushed him out of her way and stalked towards the graveyard.
