Free Diary of a Teenage Taxidermist by K. A. Merikan Page B

Like, really. I wouldn’t abuse the privilege,” Ethan said in all eagerness and grabbed Rob’s sleeve.
    Robert couldn’t help but look back to make sure they weren’t watched before relaxing. “Don’t stress about it. I like going places.”
    They approached one of the three garage doors, and Ethan turned back to smile at him in a way he hadn’t at the dinner table. “I might use you then.” He frowned. “I mean, in a good way, you know?”
    Robert cleared his throat, remembering the repulsion he’d felt a week ago when Ethan made him go down on him. There was still a bit of anger in him about it, but excitement rose under his skin at the suggestion. “I look forward to that.”
    Ethan took a deep breath and smiled even wider. It was as if Robert turned on a switch in him that no one at school, or even at his home, seemed to be able to. Ethan led him into the garage and put on the light. The car that faced them was an old black Chevy, Ethan’s car, but to the left stood a bronze sedan, and a red sports car. Normally, he would be interested in the make and model, but it all dispersed in the background when he noticed something large under a black sheet of plastic in the back behind Ethan’s car.
    Robert raised an eyebrow at it, resting his hands at his hips. “Is that the moose?”
    “An elk.” Ethan rushed past the Chevy and to the covered piece of art. “You ready?” he asked, grabbing one end of the sheet with his smile radiating enthusiasm.
    The open expression on his sweet face made Rob pay all the more attention to what Ethan was about to unravel. Would it be horrible? The bird necklace Ethan kept wearing to school was creepy but seemed well done, so if that was anything to judge by, this could turn out interesting. He nodded.
    Ethan pulled off the sheet with a few swift pulls, uncovering the massive trophy. Dyed completely black, the fur was matte, but the grand antlers shone as if dipped in tar. The fake glass eyes had a foggy quality to them, which gave the whole piece more depth. On the side of its thick neck was a small round wooden door. Like one in a hobbit house.
    Robert caught himself staring while stepping forward, fascinated by the sculpture. It was so... different and drew him in like a dish he’d never had the chance to sample before. “That is... impressive,” he uttered, scooting down to look into the muzzle. He reached out to brush his fingers over the stiff hairs. “Is that hair coloring, or paint?”
    Ethan scooted down next to him and adjusted his glasses. “It’s dye, and I covered the antlers with liquid latex, so they have that rubbery, slippery look. Go on, touch them.”
    Robert exhaled and brushed his fingers over the antler. It had a strange texture, a bit like thick rubber gloves but smoother and finer. “It is nice,” he said and moved his hand lower, to the small door. The whole thing smelled of paint, so unlike the dull, stuffy smell he had imagined.
    “Wait.” Ethan grabbed his wrist. “Are you sure you’re ready?” He asked as if it was a door to another dimension.
    “Why, will I meet Mr. Tumnus behind that door?”
    “Or his mouse cousins.” Ethan let go and gave Robert a tiny key.
    Robert blinked. Was it actually lockable? That was so creative! A small tingle of excitement spurted in his temples, and he nodded, gently pushing the key into the lock. It was such an eerie feeling. Even with Ethan’s serious little face so close and his permission, Rob felt like an intruder to a world he might not understand at all. Ethan’s world.
    Inside was a land of mice, with a tiny house, with an even tinier balcony. Everything, including a miniature tree and a bench underneath was white. “Pull the little cord on the side,” Ethan said with excitement, squeezing close to Robert. The touch of his warm body sent sparks up Rob’s arm, and he pushed his fingers inside the neck of the elk, pulling on the thin cord with two digits. The world inside the elk’s head