Chapter 2 - {You Judgmental Gargoyle}

Jaiden tried sneaking downstairs. "I can see you," Clawdine said. Jaiden nearly fell down the stairs. "HOW DO YOU KEEP DOING THAT?!" "I follow you," Clawdine replied. "You're interesting." "I AM NOT A PET." "Undetermined." In the kitchen, Clawdine hovered beside him as Jaiden poured cereal. He sniffed it. "This smells discouraging." "It's cornflakes!" "Yes." Jaiden clenched the spoon. "Stop walking so close." "I'm invisible to everyone else." "THEN WALK INVISIBLY FARTHER." "No." Clawdine vanished. Jaiden froze. "…Clawdine?" "BOO." Jaiden screamed so loudly someone across the street dropped their groceries. "Five chins," Clawdine observed. "I WILL DIE." "Unlikely," Clawdine said. "But amusing. Clawdine sat atop the lockers like a judgmental gargoyle. "This place drains morale," he said. "Please leave." "No." A student glanced at Jaiden. "Who are you talking to?" Clawdine grinned. "Say air." "I IT'S AIR." The student backed away slowly. "Social damage confirmed," Clawdine said cheerfully. Jaiden wanted to disappear. That night, Jaiden collapsed on his bedroom floor. "There is no escape," he muttered. "Correct," Clawdine replied from the bed. Jaiden looked up. Clawdine's form had shifted less wolf, more unsettlingly human in places. Jaiden frowned. "Why do you look like that now?" "You're adjusting," Clawdine said. "So am I." "That's not comforting." Clawdine smiled. "Good." Jaiden groaned into the carpet.