Moonlit Waters

Chapter 22

"Are you sure? You really don't have to. I could just go after work, later today," Mum says, but the worry in her eyes only makes me more certain.

"Yup. You really don't have the time today. And anyway, it's nothing, right?"

I know I'm trying to convince myself as much as her.

Laughable how going to pick up some groceries has become such a big deal now. I mean, I didn't like doing it two weeks back, but now it almost scares me.

But now I've committed to doing it and I'm too proud to back out. Even though I really want to.

Pearl isn't here to accompany me, neither is Alex. Both of my parents have to work. I'm the only person left to do the job, so I do it.

But there's no way around it, is there? I'll have to go out on my own at some point.

One last time, I tug at my laces, then I get up, wiping my hands on my shorts.

"Don't worry, I'll be back soon."

Mum gives me a grateful smile. "Thanks, Sweetie. Here's some money."

She hands me a few notes, along with a small scrap of paper with a list of everything I'm to get. It's not much. Bread, cereals, some fruits, sugar, and eggs.

I nod at her, stuff the money into my back pocket and throw the bag over my shoulder.

"Later!"

Usually, I would've loved the weather that awaits me outside. The sun is shining bright from above, only occasionally shrouded by thin veils of white. It would be perfect if it weren't for the nervousness pressing my heart to hammer fast against my ribs.

It's the first time I'm out on my own. People know about the girl who used to be Timothy Crow. Okay, not all, but still. Some do, and that's more than enough to make me agitated.

I glance over my shoulder.

In the distance, there's a jogger, but he's not headed in my direction.

I shake my head, turn and focus my gaze ahead. It'll go smoothly. Why wouldn't it? Nobody has any reason to be hostile towards me.

Still, I can't help but pull the black baseball hat deeper into my face.

I should have put on normal jeans. I feel too exposed.

But then I'd be too warm.

But wouldn't that be worth it?

A nervous finger tugs at my left bra strap. I feel like the houses around me are growing eyes just for the sake of staring.

Again, I turn and glance over my shoulder.

Nobody.

I stare at the windows of a house I'm walking past, daring a figure to step out of the shade behind the glass.

Come on! Show yourselves!

But nobody steps into the light. Nobody's hiding in the bushes I walk past and none of the passing cars even slow down.

It only takes minutes until I'm in the centre of town, where the small supermarket is, but it feels like hours.

By the time I arrive, my shoulders are tense and my armpits are slick with sweat. But I don't turn to walk back.

I can do this, I tell myself.

There's a group of five teenagers sitting by the shopping carts in front of the supermarket. I've seen them before. They go to the same school as me.