Devil's Oasis

Chapter 4

It's been a few days since the early meeting with Dominic. Why did I talk so much? I can't wrap my head around why I talked so much, told him so much about my life. Why? Nerves have refused to leave me alone, a festering sore that continues to itch. I move sluggishly as I wipe down the coffee bar, cleaning up after the insanely long day. Today has been one of those days where the kicks just keep on coming. Woke up to no lights, the power had been shut off, for some reason in my apartment.

Got to work late, opened later than normal as a result. Which wasn't that big of a deal, but things started going downhill the second time a customer came inside to 'peruse' the shelves. I know I'm paranoid but the man gave me the creeps. He came in and bought something every time he came in but his eyes would trail back to the back room constantly. The five times he came in left me feeling uneasy. He openly stared at the room with a gleaming look in his eyes. Should I call Dominic?

The thought crossed my mind and made me pause as I stared at the wall. I know after today I made sure to lock the door as soon as the last customer left. Your paranoia is showing again. Or maybe it's just me being precautionary to mishap. I'm pretty sure Dominic would applaud me for that. My gut churns as I stare at the phone and bite my thumb. To call or not to call. That is the real question that I debate for probably a lot longer than I should. I grumble as I dial his number, feeling like I'm a little kid about to bring home a bad report card.

"Embry, what's wrong?" My shoulders slump at the tone of his voice, as if he was just waiting for this call.

"Nothing, but someone came in and it was just weird," I start off and wince. Probably would've been smart to try and plan this out... at least better than I did.

"Weird?" He voices back skeptically or maybe just confused, it's hard to tell.

"We'll yeah, the man came in five times, he bought something each time, but he kept looking towards the back room." I sit down behind the counter with a slight frown. Am I just overreacting?

"What did he look like?" I frowned slightly as I thought about the man.

"He was kinda tall, maybe an inch or two above average? He had dark blonde hair with dark brown eyes. He had a strong jaw, nose was crooked." Frowning more, I have to think about him. "He was in dark wash jeans and a black hoodie... Didn't really stand out," I offer a small shrug, I don't know what else to say about the man.

"When was the last time he was in the store?" His voice becomes very gruff, I can hear him shifting around.

"I don't know, an hour before closing..." I trail off with a slight frown. By that time I wasn't really watching the clock, more so watching the weird man. I feel a little bad for calling him weird... Granted I don't know his life story, maybe he was just awfully lost in thought and just kept forgetting what he needed? Yeah because that's so believable.

"Have you noticed any strange vehicles outside?" I pause in thought and glance out the door with a frown.

"No?" I move towards the window to peer outside before I drop the blinds. "I don't know, you know I'm not a car person, they all look the same to me." Dominic releases a sort of growl.

"Embry, what have I said about watching your-" I roll my eyes and walk back to the coffee table.

"I know, I know- watch my surroundings and pay attention to things that stay too long," I huff, having heard this scolding too many times now. So little faith. The door opens and I whirl around, nearly dropping my phone. "The-" I glare as Dominic locks the door behind him once more. "Dominic!"