𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐔𝐑𝐓𝐒 𝐌𝐄

─ ❝ act ix ❞

⎡ act ix - savior ⎦

┊❝ Are you... okay? ❞┊

── DRIVING to a liquor store, (Y/N) gripped the wheel so tightly she was sure she was making indents into the leather. Letting out a slow breath as she pulled up into the parking low, she stayed rooted to her seat for a solid five minutes just to get her bearings, her heart thrumming wildly in her chest knowing she was about to commit an illegal act.

She hated this.

She hated how powerless she became as soon as she stepped foot near Ian or Dylan or Carmen.

Always powerless.

Always fearful.

Chewing on the inside of her cheek, (Y/N) closed her eyes and leaned her head against the headrest before letting out a long breath. Opening her car door before slamming it shut and locking it, soon after entering the store and flinching from the small jingle that resounded from overhead, she slowly slinked towards the back to search for the specific brand Ian had texted her to buy. She tried to act inconspicuous, as if she belonged there, but naturally, she felt her youth gave her away quite plainly—along with the fearful look in her eyes—due to the stare from the clerk she received.

Her breathing slowly started to increase, her palms slick with cold sweat.

Swallowing down her nerves and wiping her hands on the front of her sweats, she opened the door to the cooler filled with various liquors of all shapes and size, pulling out three packs of the kind Ian had specified for her. Walking towards the front, she set the cases down on the check out counter, watching with nervous, sweeping eyes as the clerk rang her up almost achingly slow.

"Hey," the clerk finally gained her attention, making her snap her head up to look at him with large eyes. "You got I.D.?"

Her heart sank.

"Um... no..." she muttered.

"Hah?" The clerk raised a brow, chewing on his gum in irritation. "Look, you seem too young to buy this stuff, and I could be wrong, but I ain't lettin' you purchase any of this unless you give me proper identification, 'kay?"

"B-But—" (Y/N) started, only to cut herself off, desperation clearly slipping through.

"What?"

"I don't have I.D., but please, sir, I'll pay," she insisted as she pulled out Cage's black card, the clerk's eyes widening at the sight in obvious disbelief. "I... need this, okay? So, please... can you just ring me up and let me be on my way? I can't leave this store without it."

The man cleared his throat, shaking himself out of his stupor before firmly denying, "No."

"Please—!"

"Kid, dont'cha get it?" He growled as he leaned forward over the counter, obviously now very pissed off from her assertions. "I'm not letting you buy shit until you give me I.D., something you clearly don't have, so get the hell outta m—!"

A card slammed down on the counter, effectively startling both of them.

"This is what you need, right?"

Slowly drawing her gaze upward, (Y/N) found herself breathless when staring at the girl whom had suddenly found her way next to her. She was absolutely stunning with glowing brown skin that was deep like a cocoa color, her curly black hair perfectly framing her face and accentuating her deep, almost soulful eyes and heart shaped lips. (Y/N) almost couldn't believe she was standing next to someone so beautiful until the girl herself glanced down at her to give her not only a smile, but a knowing wink.

(Y/N) blinked again.

...Huh?

"Sorry, sir, about my little sister—half-sister, mind you," the girl chuckled as she slung a hand around (Y/N)'s stiff shoulders, completely at ease even when the clerk raised an unconvinced brow. "You know how it is—same dad, different mom. Anyways, she's just holding onto my card for me and is just a little impatient wanting to get home. You can understand that, right, sir?"

The clerk narrowed his eyes before swiping up the I.D., glancing from it to the girl before letting out a heavy sigh and sliding the card back over the counter. After resuming ringing (Y/N) up and allowing her to pay with the black card, he then grumbled out for them to have a good night while his face displayed quite the opposite reaction. Walking out of the store with her heart practically leaping into her throat, (Y/N) could only let out a sigh of relief once she had passed the threshold.

Holy, shit.

I can't believe I actually did it.

"Hey," the girl whom had saved her snagged her attention, her smile soft. "Are you... okay?"

"Ye—" she cleared her throat before giving the girl a wobbly smile in return, nodding slowly in sync with her words. "Yes... thank you."

"My name is Shariah," the girl introduced herself as she helped load the alcohol into (Y/N)'s car, watching her curiously from the corner of her eye. "I'm not actually 21, you know? I'm 18. Instead of trying to buy alcohol with no I.D., having a good, fake I.D. handy sometimes just helps."

(Y/N)'s eyes widened in surprise.

"Now," Shariah smiled softly. "Your name? And maybe a reason for being so desperate for alcohol? A reason where I won't feel guilty for helping?"

"I'm... (Y/N)," she sighed, awkwardly rubbing the back of her neck, feeling more embarrassed and humiliated now that the rush of the moment had finally passed. "I'm getting this alcohol for someone." Letting out a forced laugh, she murmured, "You don't need to feel guilty for helping me, or anything like that. If you hadn't helped, well... let's just say I would've had worse troubles."

"From the person whose card you're using?" Shariah pointed out. "I noticed that it's a black card. Are they threatening you with their wealth?"

"Something like that..." she mumbled.

"Look, it's none of my business, but if I were you, I would be doing everything I can to make sure that whatever they have against me can't be used against me," Shariah shook her head as she crossed her arms over her chest, the several bracelets she had decorating her wrist jangling with the action. "Instead of only just running their errands, I would be using the time I have close with them to get rid of what they have of me." Giving (Y/N) a softer smile, she continued, "I'm sorry... for everything you're going through. For everything you've gone through. They hurt you, manipulate you, abuse you, and nothing's done about it. If it's still like this, it means these people want you to think that you're alone. You're really not, though."

(Y/N) searched Shariah's expression, finding nothing but kindness in her gaze.

"Here," Shariah spoke after scribbling down something on a piece of paper she pulled from her purse, holding it up to (Y/N) to reveal her name and number. "Call me sometime if you need help, or if you just need to talk." She then snagged a bottle from the bag, giving her a wink as she said, "Payment for my help. See you around, (Y/N)."

With that, she was gone.

(Y/N) stared after her, speechless, her eyes however brimming with newfound hope.   

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To be continued...