Tethered to You (Alastor X OC)

Ch 6

Ariel's POV

It was Tuesday and I needed to grab some groceries. I left a note for Alastor, telling him I would be home around 5:30 in case he gets there before me.

I hummed softly, picking out different foods. I tried to think of any snacks Alastor may like.

Hm...

That jambalaya was really spicy...maybe he'll like something spicy?

I picked up a few different spicy snacks, and tossed them into my bag.

After that I was finished shopping and headed to checkout.

On my way there, I noticed a man across the store who met my eyes. I quickly looked away, embarrassed by the strange encounter.

It was even stranger I swear I saw the same man earlier...I shrugged it off and sat my items on the belt, checking out without another thought.

Since the store wasn't far from my apartment, I liked to walk.

The air felt nice, becoming brisk since it's the start of September.

I took a deep breath and sighed.

The soft orange hue of the sky was calming, and a gentle breeze made me feel comfortable.

That is, until something grabbed my arm, and yanked me into a dark alley way two blocks from my apartment.

I stumbled, and some of my grocery bags fell, the items either busting open or becoming soiled.

After I stood up straight, I looked around, frightened.

Part of me was hoping Alastor was playing a prank on me, but that part was extinguished when my eyes met...

The man from earlier...

Up close, I realized he was massive. He had to be at least 6'5, and looked like he weighed at least 300 pounds, mostly muscle.

He had a deep scar passing through his top and bottom lip, and one of his eyes was grey and lifeless.

He had a sneer that made my blood curdle, and his teeth looked rotten.

"I saw you at the store earlier dolly~ you ain't got no man witcha?"

I began to shake, my legs feeling weak as I stared up at him.

"A-actually I-I do, h-he's going to come looking for me—ah!"

He grabbed me by the hair, yanking my head back and causing me to drop my remaining groceries.

"Dontcha know it ain't polite to lie, baby?" He growled into my face, and tears pricked my eyes.

"P-please, I-I don't have any money, I-I just spent it all on my groceries, I—"

Another swift yank to my hair made me whimper and my mouth clamped shut.

"I don't wantcha money doll...you look like you have better things to offer," he said sickly, his ugly bear mitt beginning to travel up my waist as the other one held my hair firmly.

I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to convince myself I was under my blankets in bed, but then I felt a fire rise in my stomach.

I am not just going to let this happen to me.

With all my strength I pulled my leg back and slammed it up between the brutes legs.

He grunted, and his grip on my hair released, allowing me to stumble back.

His hands shot between his legs, and I quickly went to run, but my kick hadn't been hard enough to keep him down.

His hand wrapped around my arm, roughly slamming me against the brick wall.