The Corner Store

Chapter 31-I knew that man was a horror show on two feet

Axel's POV:

What the hell did I just witness? I knew that man was a horror show on two feet, but to do something like this? And to the family of the one girl I've ever loved? I couldn't stand the sight. I didn't want to break down, I wanted to be strong for her, to be her comfort when she cried, but how could I be that when I was the one who turned into a mess?

As soon as I got into my car, I drove as fast as I could - I didn't want to break down again. Watching that video, hearing her parents scream, hearing the nonchalance in his voice, it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on edge. Does my mom know that the man she married is a monster? He's so lucky he's still in the wind, otherwise I would've gone and murdered him myself. I drove around aimlessly, taking every random turn. I was tired, but I knew that I didn't want to go home. I wasn't ready to face my mom, or hear any news about that sad excuse of a father.

I took the next right, and headed for my spot a little up the mountain. I remember bringing Sophia here when were first getting to know each other, even though it got cut short. Of course, I already had my eyes on her since before she started working here. People ask how could you fall in love with someone you've known for a few months? Well, honestly, it doesn't matter how long you've known the person for, what matters is how they made you feel in the time you've known them and honestly, she's the only one who's made me feel butterflies and had me giggling like a damn child. I knew that I would end up marrying her as soon as my  eyes landed on her over a year ago, but I also had to be discreet so as not to scare her away. God, I literally cringe when I think about how I almost did that.

I'm honestly not even sure what drew me to her. She came in with an oversized hoodie, jeans, and a messy bun. I don't know what it was, but I couldn't take my eyes off of her. I hate to admit it, but I might've followed her around that day. Seeing her interact so kindly and softly with people absolutely melted my heart. She helped out an old lady who couldn't read something on the box, she made a little kid stop crying by offering him candy, she even helped out a teen girl who thought she was being followed. I didn't even know anything about her back then, but I still kept an eye on the door in case that beautiful mystery girl happened to come. The rare instances when she would show up, I end up riding that high for a few days. She had that therapeutic effect on me, and from then on, I knew she was someone I wanted to have in my life, and not to sound egotistical or anything but I always get what I want.

Then one day, she walked in for orientation and my heart couldn't stop smiling. I might've made a fool of myself just to be able to talk to her, but the time it took to gain her trust -- well it was all worth it.

Well, right up until the God forsaken day she told me that my own father is a murderer. It's so typical how he's always the one at the center of every single catastrophe in my life.

I parked my car near the edge and went to sit on our special bench. It just made me realize that I haven't seen Marina is such a long time. She was always the one I turned in times like these back in high school and freshman year because she knew how to keep me grounded. She was the angel on my shoulder who kept me out of trouble for the most part. A shadowy figure caught me by surprise, and it took me a hot minute to register that Landon was already there, lying down on the bench. I could make him out because I was the one who got him that neon pink hoodie for his birthday - as a joke. I didn't see a car on my way up here though, how could he have possible come all the way up here?

Come to think of it, there were suspicious looking tire tracks that weren't mine.

"Hey man, did you lock yourself out of the house again?" I yelled out. He had a habit of inserting his key and then closing the door when he's leaving and leaving the key in the damn door. Did it since high school and he never stopped.