Ch.20Chupacabra!

#020

After cleaning up the chaotic hospital room, the two had returned to their usual selves.

First, Dexter moved quickly, taking Jesse to the staff shower room in the infirmary to help him wash up.

Then he cleared away all traces of their intimate encounter from the hospital room.

Jesse was dazed as he watched Dexter handle everything as if he were accustomed to such situations.

‘How did it end up like this… Ah…’

Jesse was truly shaken.

It was something he would never have done under normal circumstances.

It was as if something inside his body had taken control of him, sweeping him away in the moment.

The body correction device was functioning normally, but there was an issue with the hormone settings.

Due to an alien developer’s mistake in setting his girlfriend as the preset target, Jesse’s baseline hormones were set to those of someone in love rather than his normal state.

Moreover, the sexual desires that Jesse had suppressed since childhood combined with these hormones, resulting in behavior he would never have exhibited otherwise.

As Jesse’s hormones temporarily normalized, he could think clearly again like his usual self.

While Dexter was finishing the cleanup as Jesse sat there in a daze, Jesse poked Dexter from his spot on the now-neatly made bed.

“What?”

“Why are you so good at cleaning up after something like this?”

Dexter was about to deny it but then fell into brief contemplation.

‘How much should I tell him?’

The reason for his efficient cleanup was related to what Dexter had done in space.

He couldn’t simply say, “I got used to it after living in space for 15 years.”

Dexter ultimately had to give a vague answer.

“It’s basic for a corrections officer like me.”

“Isn’t that answer a bit evasive?”

“If that’s how you feel, it means you don’t trust me.”

“Ugh.”

Though it had been brief, the two had started with mutual attraction and ended up crossing a line together.

When Dexter brought up the issue of trust, Jesse fell silent.

As the wordless moment continued to stretch on, Jesse, growing uncomfortable, spoke first.

“Um, De-Dexter?”

For Jesse, who was used to calling Dexter “this bastard” or “that bastard” every day, using his name felt awkward.

“What?”

“Is it… is it really okay with someone like me? Can we keep meeting like this?”

“What do you mean ‘someone like you’?”

“A criminal, obviously. And you’re the corrections officer who’s supposed to reform and monitor that criminal.”

Jesse was very aware of his situation.

Dexter also knew well why Jesse was incarcerated.

Yet the reason Dexter hadn’t stopped Jesse’s actions in the hospital room and instead went along with them was simple.

“Because I have feelings for you. That’s enough for me.”

Dexter embraced Jesse and patted his back reassuringly.

“We’ll figure something out, won’t we?”

“So you’re really okay with someone like me?”

Dexter smiled slightly at Jesse’s words and said:

“Well…”

“…Why does your voice go up at the end?”

As Jesse glared at Dexter, Dexter cleared his throat, looked around once, and said:

“Ahem. Anyway. I want you to know that I don’t see you as just a one-night stand.”

Since they’d already crossed a line, he needed to take responsibility.

Dexter wasn’t taking his relationship with Jesse lightly either.

A romantic relationship between a corrections officer and an inmate should never occur.

Federal law includes the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA).

Since inmates legally cannot consent to sexual relations, any sexual relationship between a corrections officer and an inmate is defined as a crime.

The corrections officer would naturally be fired and prosecuted under federal law.

Yet he was maintaining a relationship with Jesse despite these considerations.

‘If things go south, I could just take Jesse and escape on a spaceship, I guess.’

Dexter thought that after living in space for 15 years, he could probably stay there until he died of old age if necessary.

While Dexter was briefly lost in these thoughts, Jesse suggested a new term to define their relationship.

“So we’re ‘FWB,’ right?”

“What?”

“Friends with benefits.”

Dexter stepped back from Jesse, crossed his arms, thought for a moment, then nodded.

“I guess that fits.”

Jesse chuckled at Dexter’s reaction.

“I understand your situation, and I know my own circumstances too. I can’t let you do something that would tarnish your career. So rather than an awkward relationship like lovers, I think being friends is more appropriate.”

Surprised by words he never expected to hear from Jesse’s mouth, Dexter unconsciously said,

“Ohhh, our Jesse is so smart.”

As Dexter reached out to pat Jesse’s head, Jesse awkwardly kicked Dexter’s thigh.

“Ow, that hurts.”

“Take a joke when someone’s being nice, jerk.”

When Jesse glared again, Dexter chuckled and said:

“I know you were being sincere. But if we ended the conversation after saying that, the atmosphere would be weird.”

Jesse nodded at Dexter’s smiling face.

“…Fine. But my thoughts haven’t changed, so if you give me special treatment, I’ll kill you, seriously.”

“Kill me? You? Me?”

Dexter said with his hands on his hips.

Jesse looked Dexter up and down carefully.

The height difference between them was over 8 inches (20cm), and Dexter’s solid muscles were impressive enough to intimidate most men.

Embarrassed by how he had previously challenged such a man, Jesse tried to act nonchalant.

“…You’re already intimidating me when I just asked you not to give me special treatment?”

“I’m just standing here. How is that intimidating?”

Dexter chuckled.

Soon after, as they saw the day shift nurse running frantically toward them from a distance, Dexter left the room saying:

“See you later.”

“Oh, yeah. Work hard today…”

It was an awkward response.

“Huff, was, there, huff, any, trouble?” the day shift nurse asked Dexter, breathing heavily.

“No, nothing happened. Why did you run here? You could have walked.”

“Just in case, whew. An emergency, patient, whew. Might come in. Whewww.”

“Good work. Have some water and catch your breath first.”

Dexter said, leaning against the wall outside the room.

“Yes, whew. Oh, but. There’s a fishy smell…”

Dexter ignored the nurse’s comment and pretended not to hear.

* * *

Lunchtime.

Dexter looked around with his tray in hand and spotted Dan reluctantly eating a salad.

“Why is it so hard to see your face?”

Dan looked up, welcomed Dexter, and pointed to the seat across from him.

“You’re the one stuck in the infirmary. How am I supposed to see you? I’m forgetting what you look like.”

“I’ve been pretty busy lately.”

“Why? Something happen with Blueberg?”

Dexter slightly evaded Dan’s question.

“Nothing special. Just been hectic lately.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

Dan said without suspicion as he ate a leaf vegetable with his fork.

“Are you on a diet? You’re eating like it’s the most disgusting thing in the world.”

“The doctor told me to cut back on meat for a while.”

The way he chewed the leafy greens as if they were insects was quite a sight.

“Who did?”

“My doctor. It’s killing me, seriously.”

Now Dexter noticed a tumbler filled with an unidentifiable green liquid on Dan’s right.

“What’s that?”

“Green juice or something. My wife packed it for me. It has ginger in it, so it’s spicy and bitter with no sweetness at all.”

“Oh dear.”

“Ah, I guess I need to take care of myself now. Who knew I’d get this old?”

Dan shook his head and continued:

“Oh, right. Speaking of my wife, I heard there’ve been crimes targeting single men lately. You should be careful too.”

“Why?”

“I saw it in the news today. Apparently, a beautiful woman spends the night with divorced or single men, and when they wake up the next morning, she’s mysteriously disappeared.”

“Come on, this is Las Vegas. Isn’t that just something that happens occasionally?”

“That’s what I thought too. But the men’s conditions are a bit strange.”

Dan took a sip of his juice, grimaced, and continued:

“Ugh. Anyway, according to the men who slept with her, they experience severe anemia symptoms. Dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath. That kind of thing.”

“That is strange.”

It seemed like all sorts of weird things happened these days.

“And the funny thing is, she doesn’t target men with wives or girlfriends. Regardless of their appearance, she only goes after men who live alone.”

“Sounds like conspiracy theory material.”

“Actually, conspiracy theorists are already saying the CIA might be experimenting on single men. They’re warning each other to be careful.”

“Aren’t they single because they spread rumors like that? Why would the CIA do such a thing? They must have nothing better to do.”

Dan chuckled at Dexter’s comment.

“Anyway, be careful. You live alone too, after all.”

“I guess so.”

As Dexter was chatting with Dan, he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket and immediately checked it.

[Caller ID Restricted]

There was only one place that would call Dexter with a restricted number.

“I need to take this call. I’ll be right back.”

“Huh? Oh, go ahead.”

At Dan’s gesture, Dexter left his seat and headed toward a corner of the cafeteria.

“Hughes speaking.”

-Sorry to bother you during your meal. Are you busy?

It was the voice of a woman Dexter had heard many times before and enjoyed teasing.

“Ah, Agent Himena. I’m not busy. What’s going on?”

-Could I see you this evening for a bit?

“Evening… I doubt it’s a dinner invitation, so what, did some mysterious alien cause trouble?”

Dexter snickered, but Agent Himena on the phone couldn’t laugh.

-That’s right. It’s a problem our side is having difficulty solving.

“And why come to a civilian like me…?”

-Because you’re the most recent person to have lived in space.

“Doesn’t the OSA have a space intelligence department? I don’t understand why you’d rely on a civilian.”

At Dexter’s pointed question, Agent Himena hesitated before speaking.

-Well, I…

“Yes?”

-I said I could handle it alone…

Agent Himena couldn’t continue, but Dexter could easily guess what she meant to say.

“You boasted that you could handle it alone, but you can’t figure out how, and your pride won’t let you ask your seniors… that’s not it, is it?”

-…

He’d hit the nail on the head.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake. Agent Himena. Why on earth are you letting pride get in the way at work?”

-No, they keep… saying I got my position through connections…

Agent Himena protested in a small voice, and Dexter responded incredulously:

“And that makes you want to show off by handling it alone? Good grief.”

Dexter scratched his chin and asked:

“So, is it urgent?”

-No, not that urgent. Maybe…

“I’ll help you. Seriously, what kind of agent are you?”

-Wow! Thank you! Can I see you after work?

“Sure, whatever. I’ve got energy to spare. See you then.”

-Thank you!! Let’s have dinner together sometime!!

After hanging up, Dexter glared at his phone and said:

“I’ve never met such a pseudo-intellectual, irresponsible civil servant before, seriously.”

When Dexter returned to his seat, Dan, still eating his leafy salad, asked:

“Who were you smiling at on the phone?”

“Oh, just a younger acquaintance. Asking me to do something after work. It’s exasperating.”

“Acquaintance? A woman?”

“Yes, a woman. Why?”

“Is she pretty?”

“Even if she is, you’re married, sir.”

Dan proudly responded to Dexter’s comment:

“I was just asking. Just curious.”

“Hmm. It doesn’t seem like just asking.”

“Hey now. I only have eyes for my wife. Don’t doubt my love.”

Dan glared at Dexter, offended that his love’s sincerity was being questioned.

“I was thinking we could grab a drink after work today, but I guess that’s not happening?”

Dexter pointed at Dan’s plate and said:

“How can you think about drinking alcohol while eating plants?”

“Ah, you’re right… I can’t drink anyway.”

Dan looked even more dejected as he started shoveling the vegetables from his plate into his mouth.

“You really need to take care of yourself.”

“Seeing you like this gives me a reason to take care.”

Dexter grinned.

Dexter spent the afternoon shift the same way, chatting with Jesse and the day shift nurse before leaving work comfortably.

As he stepped outside the prison gates, he could see Agent Himena waiting by his pickup truck, looking at her phone.

Agent Himena, focused on her screen, didn’t notice Dexter approaching until he was right beside her.

“What could be so important…”

“Eek!”

Startled by Dexter’s sudden appearance, Agent Himena dropped her phone, which Dexter barely managed to catch.

“Whoa, this looks expensive. Almost cracked.”

“Make some noise when you approach!”

“I did, didn’t I?”

Agent Himena wanted to snap back at Dexter, who never backed down from an argument, but she couldn’t.

“…Please give me a heads-up next time.”

“We’ll see. So what do you need my help with?”

Agent Himena took her phone back from Dexter and pointed to a photo on the screen.

“So… have you ever heard of a ‘chupacabra’?”

The screen showed a fallen cow bleeding, with two holes at the source of the blood.

It looked as if it had been pierced by fangs.