Night Walkers - Halloween 2023

Chapter 21

Carson gathered his half-eaten sandwich, wrapping it up and pushing it towards me "Can you take this home for me?"

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going to request the rest of the day off. I'll tell them it's a family emergency."

"Oh, okay. Where is Skyler now?"

"At the hospital. Apparently, Merek's infection came back again so she went there to visit him, but he was gone."

"Shit. Is Roland with her?"

He shook his head. "Not yet. He's on his way now." He stood up and brushed any crumbs off him. "I'll message you later when you get off and you can meet up with us if you want to."

"Okay, please be safe."

"I will." I stood up as well and gathered my trash and his sandwich. Carson kissed my cheek then he parted ways to go talk to our manager while I returned to work. I was sure to put his sandwich in the employee lunch fridge before I got busy.

A few minutes later, Carson came out of the office and tucked his apron away in our little cubby. "I'll see you later." He said as he came up beside me. "Text me before you leave, and I'll swing by to get you if I'm nearby."

"Okay. I will."

He pecked my forehead quickly then gave me a soft smile before he left the shop.

The rest of my shift seemed to drag on. Worrying about Merek, as well as Carson and the others while they search for him. When five-o'-clock came around, I practically ran to the time clock to clock out first.

Once I was officially off work, I gathered my things and messaged Carson.

'Hey, I just got off.'

A few moments later, my phone rang.

"Hello?"

Carson's voice answered on the other end. 'Hey, are you at the shop still?"

"Yes."

'Okay, stay there, we'll swing by in Roland's vehicle and pick you up.'

"Okay."

'We'll be there in about five minutes.'

With that we hung up. Not long after, a pearl-white Mercedes-Benz SUV, pulled up outside Gideon's. I stepped outside and Carson greeted me as he exited the back of the vehicle.

"Did you find him?"

Carson shook his head as he engulfed me into a tight hug. He demeanor seemed slightly off; his hug felt more like he was seeking comfort rather than a greeting.

"Are you alright, Carson?"

He smiled at me softly when he pulled away. "I'll talk to you about it later."

I nodded my response. Then he gently took most of my things and carried them to the vehicle for me. He opened the door and set my things in the center of the back seat, then waited for me to climb in before shutting the door behind me. He rounded the back of the car to get in on the other side.

"Good evening, beautiful." Roland greeted from the driver's seat.

Skyler smacked him in the back of the head. "Would you stop that."

"Ow, man. You don't have to hit me so hard."

"Then stop trying to flirt with her while Carson is out of earshot." She glared at him.

I chuckled. Then Carson opened his door and climbed in.

"Did I miss something?" He asked when he noticed me laughing Skyler shook her head. "Nothing at all."