Murder is what you get when your most dangerous relationship becomes your most powerful. Chaos becomes normal when you're addicted to the madness.
When Peter targets the spicy and secretive waitress Lily, they take a rapid fire, precarious interest...
I consider leaving the store without Peter, just to get him off my back. But I decide to stay because he hasn't really given me a reason to find him dangerous, aside from being bizarre. That's not a good reason to return his apparent chivalry by ditching him.
"And a pack of cigarettes, please," Peter says.
I don't know why I'm surprised that he smokes. I noticed the scent of cigarettes on him before. He just didn't strike me as the kind of guy who smokes. Looked too nerdy. Don't judge a book by its cover, I guess.
When Peter's paid for his candle and pack of cigs, we exit the store. I stand outside the store for a moment, rummaging through my bag for the protein bar I purchased. Peter watches while I unwrap it and take a bite out of it. He has a dazed, absent look.
I look him in the eye and raise an eyebrow. "What? You're creepin' me out."
He blinks and flinches back to reality. "Sorry. Was just thinking."
"Deep thinker," I mutter, taking another bite of my bar. "Anyway, I can walk myself the rest of the way home from here. My apartment isn't far." It's actually a few miles away, but I don't want Peter to know that.
Peter raises an eyebrow at me, but nods. He tugs out a pen and paper from his vest pocket and scribbles something on paper.
"Here." He hands me the paper. "In case you need someone to talk to when you can't sleep."
It's his phone number.
I take the piece of paper from his hands. He's kind of sweet, but I'm still a little suspicious of him. He's an absolute stranger, after all. Still, at least he's giving me his number, rather than demanding mine or something.
This is still presumptuous.
"I'm not looking for a relationship right now," I say, tucking the paper into my pocket. I'm unsure if I'll throw it away later.
Peter smiles. "I suggested nothing of the sort."
I snort. "You didn't need to."
Peter chuckles. "Well, at least don't go walking around alone at night. You never know who you could run into."
"I'll keep that in mind." I won't. "Goodnight, Peter." It seems strangely familiar to tell him goodnight. As though we're old friends.
Peter hesitates, as though he has more to say. "I guess...I'll see you around, Lily."
I turn and start walking away. I'll take a winding path home...just in case.
He didn't really do anything that made me feel unsafe. But experience has taught me to always be on guard for potential threats.
As we part ways, I realize I never told Peter my name.
~~~
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