The Darkest Of Souls

IV

I walked past the living room as I dried my hair with a towel, grabbing the remote I turned the TV on, tossing it on the couch as I hung the towel on a chair.

I hummed to myself, opening the fridge just as my stomach started growling for food, that's when I saw the fridge nearly empty. Groaning loudly I closed the fridge in frustration, I pouted angrily eyeing the money in the swear jar. Mariana was the only one allowed to even touch the cash inside.

I contemplated just making some eggs for myself but then I just knew I would still have to go grocery shopping soon. Several seconds later I dumped the cash from the swear jar onto the kitchen counter.

Counting the bills, I'm left with 60 dollars in total. Frowning, I contemplated again whether to go grocery shopping as I glanced towards the window to see the sun starting to go down as the golden rays filtered into the living room.

Huffing I put on my sandals before I even changed my mind, in my gray joggers and black shirt. I grabbed my keys to the apartment and a hoodie tugging it on I went out locking the door behind me.

The sun had set and the street light flickered on, I pulled the hood on as I walked past a group of teenage boys. Running across the street, I arrive at a small convenience store after several minutes. I greet the cashier heading straight to the back, not before grabbing a basket. Grabbing the simple necessities of drinks, vegetables and meat before going into the snack aisle. I tap my pointer finger on my chin, having trouble deciding if I should get barbecue chips or hot Cheetos.

Loud voices came from the front as a group of construction workers entered the store. I quickly grabbed the barbecue chips, I waited a minute for the group to move to the back of the store towards the alcohol section. Moving forward I dropped my food on the counter as the cashier started checking them out.

As the price started getting higher, the more I gnawed on my lower lip. Grabbing my phone I checked if I still had enough money on my card; $ 5.21. Damn it, I don't get my allowance until 5 days later.

" That'll be 74.36, cash or card "

I eyed the food, wondering what to deduct, " there's a line behind you lady!"

The cashier hissed annoyed,

"Sorry, sorry um could you take-" I'm about to point my finger out to the chips,

" Here, I'll pay "A man stepped up from behind me wearing a buttoned-up purple shirt, gray suit jacket, gray dress pants, he had messy dark brown hair and wore glasses.

I tried to stop him, but he had already stepped up halfway in front of me.

He placed a box of tea and some grapes down, " you can ring these up too"

The cashier mumbled in annoyance as he bagged his two items too.

I grabbed onto his shirt by his arm, "Really, you don-"

" It's no problem," he interrupted me, giving me a small smile as he swiped his card on the POS machine.

He hands me my groceries, while he grabs his, I absentmindedly hold on to the two bags as he maneuvers me out of the store with his hand on my back.

" I- thank you "I whisper nodding to him, he just waves his hand in the air,

"It was no problem" Loud voices erupted from back inside the store and the sweet smile on his face dropped.

He turned back to me awkwardly and gestured to me, "How about I escort you home."

I hesitated briefly glancing back towards the store when I saw some of the men glancing towards me. I nodded to him and he smiled nodding back.