The past week had been thoroughly bizarre (not to mention, exhausting). The day that started it all - with Macy's head empty - was definitely the worst, but this, here, right now was nudging ever closer to the top. Noah felt his sense of disbelief roll itself out, with tracks all over it still fresh from not a week ago. Because, what the hell was Seth talking about. He didn't make sense. He snaked in all directions, grabbing at every corner or nook that he thought might yield some handhold he could use to propel himself upward and into the starry, heavenly light of Macy's loving gaze. Even if that meant that he said things that contradicted each other not a minute apart; even if that meant appearing relatively psychotic; even if that meant, really, driving Macy away.
Why wasn't this more of a concern before? Seth Enders was no romantic threat to Noah's and Macy's relationship - but he was definitely dangerous. He was - leering and trying to touch the girl. He felt he was protecting her - that she was friend? That she would reward his harebrained schemes with, what? - an undying devotion to him? Noah's skin was crawling. "You forced her to kiss you," replied the man in a flat voice. "And look, I know you have a hard time with abstract ideas, but this I'm only going to say once, so perk up those ears. You cannot "respect" her intelligence. You cannot. Why do I say this? Because about two minutes ago you tried to ask me not to swear in front of her and claimed it was simply a natural reaction on your end to shield women from such vileness. And if you think about it, which I know, again, is difficult for you, but try - if you think about it, those two things cannot exist together and remain logical. - And you just threatened me away from her also about two minutes ago. I just want you to think about these things I'm saying." Noah paused. He looked at Macy, then back at Seth. "I'm okay with other people touching her. She's a human. Unlike you, I can recognize this. I am glad about this. But you - it's you. It's not her. It's fucking you. You slimy little fuck. It's you who I don't want holding her fucking hand at your father's funeral. I don't want you fucking kissing her so she has to ask you to not do that again. So, let's try again. If you don't fucking hit the trail right now, I am going to smash your teeth into your throat."