I didn't think it was possible.
His return.
Up until now. . . he was dead.
It was a blinding dark.
Until it became the upcoming of dawn.
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I can't remember the last time I was frozen in shock. The day my father murdered my mother downstairs while I hid in the closet? The first time my father sold me off to a man for the night?
Or maybe the first time he locked me in the basement after beating me blue.
Whichever memory it is, I can't seem to find it. It's out of my reach and slipping just in between my fingers but I don't have to worry about that.
Because this one will replace it.
I'm frozen in shock in the middle of the store as Leo stares at me expectantly.
What type of sick game is this?
I thought he was with the Russian mafia? What's he doing here?
He clears his throat, looking around before giving me a quick smile and saying, "Well, if everything seems to be okay—-I'll be off now."
He starts to back up when Dawn taps my leg, getting my attention. I drag my gaze down to her, catching sight of her small frown.
"I didn't mean to hit him, mommy," she tells me, clearly feeling bad about it.
My mouth is dry and my eyes burn but I muster up the smallest of small smiles. "It's alright, sunshine. It was only an accident."
I pick her up and put her in the cart so she doesn't push it anymore. When I look back up to where Leo was standing he's already gone.
My heart races inside of my chest, a caged bird ready to be set free.
I clutch a hand to it, willing it to slow down.
I came here for a reason. Groceries. Things for the house. I still need to get them.
Dawn reached towards a bag of chips so I swerve the cart away before she can grab them. "Mommy can we get candy?"
"You still have a jar of jelly beans at home," I tell her, picking up a 24 pack of sprite and a 24 pack of root beer.
She puffs. "But I wanted sour candy."
I let out a small laugh. "Dawn, you don't even like sour things."
She glares at me. "Yes I do."
I sigh and start pushing the cart forward again. "Not this time. Next time we come—-if you don't put up a fight—-I'll get you some sour candy."
"But that's so long away," she whines.
I pin her with a look that says 'quit it.' "It'll be even longer the more you complain."
She closes her mouth, her lips set in a thin line as she directs her eye contact to the side, refusing to look at me.
I smooth a hand over her hair and whisper, "you know I don't always get what I want, right?"
