The Man Of Little Words (Thomas Hewitt x Reader)

Chapter 8

       Once the meal was finished and set out on the table, everyone had gathered inside to eat; after Luda had berated everyone to get cleaned up first. We had all taken our places at the table to eat, just like the last few times the meal had commenced then concluded the same ways. It seemed as though meals were the only repetitive things in this family's lives.

        After I had finished cleaning up and doing the dishes I decided to ask Luda for little things to do around the house. She had retired to the living room for the rest of the mid-day so that's where I was going to be entering next. I stood at the doorway and gently knocked on the door frame, I earned a soft look from Luda in response to my intrusion, "Yes, my dear?" She asked while slowly rocking in her chair. "I was just curious if there was anything I could do around the house that you'd be comfortable with me doing. I'm just looking for something to do to kill time." I tapped the tips of my fingers together as I spoke not wanting to seem more nervous then what I really was. But Luda had seemed lost in thought for a moment, "Well you can do whatever you're wanting as long as you dont destroy our home." She laughed, I followed her laugh with a fake one of my own just to entertain her delusional thoughts. I nodded then left the room to head back to kitchen. Thomas had went back to the basement, Hoyt had left the house again, and Luda and Monty were in the living room which gave me a brief window to grab a weapon for later use if needed. I looked under the sink and noticed a feather duster, I clasped my hand around it and started dusting the counters, inching my way down to the silverware drawer. The journey to that drawer took ages, the pressure from the situation was weighing on me. This could be the only chance I get in a while to get a decent form of protection. Once at the part of the counter above the drawer I wrapped my fingers around the handle then slowly and carefully pulled it open. I didn't hesitate when picking a blade, all I needed was long and sharp, but they sure had a whole lot to pick from. I retrieved one from the unorganized stack then bent down to place the blade in my shoe and have the handle hidden under my pant leg.

        I went about the rest of the kitchen, dusting. My movements had to be careful and precise as to not cut myself with my hidden plan. Thankfully after I was done dusting there was still plenty to do so I wasn't left with nothing to do for the rest of the day. I grabbed a broom from one of the corners of the room and started sweeping the floor, my main focus wasn't the floor though. My focus was mainly directed to making a plan to escape. I had to wait for just the right time, it'd have to be early in the morning was what I had came up with. I was snapped back from my thoughts by my back hitting something firm. I turned to look at what I had hit only to be brought face to face... Well more face to chest with Thomas. I hadn't even heard him enter the room. How could he move so quietly? I just stared up at him, frozen in place. His eyes peered through mine and straight to my soul. I couldn't read the mood he was in or the expression he was making but I could watch  his movements. He raised a hand and brought it to the side of my head, I had slightly flinched but then i watched as his fingers pinched around something on my head then brought it back down for me to see what it was. It was a small bit of dust that had gotten stuck in my hair when I was dusting. I looked at the dust between his fingers then up at him with a smile. I could see the tiny bits of his exposed cheeks getting dusted pink which made me giggle. My sudden joy must've embarrassed him, he had looked away from me after furrowing his brows. He had grabbed the broom from me and started sweeping the rest of the kitchen which had took me by surprise. I couldn't help but smile as I watched him, every little interaction from him made him seem more human instead of some feral animal. I couldn't help but wonder what he would've turned out like if he had been raised in a normal environment with a normal family. Had proper education and medical help with his mental and physical state. I still couldn't help but feel sympathy for him, he was a victim in this mess just like me except this was his family. My heart ached and sank when I thought about him, he could've been a perfectly normal family man.

        I appreciated his help around the kitchen with the cleaning, I had already started deep cleaning the counters. I realized that I hadn't heard the broom in a little while and turned to see if he was still in the room with me, he was. He was sat in the corner of the room at a small table with two chairs, watching me with his head propped up on his palm. His eyes were softer now, his slow blinking caused his dark lashes to temporarily shield his vision. I let my lips turn up into a small smile when I noticed him. He kept watching, he had no shame in getting caught staring. It made my heart flutter. The man of no words had a way of saying so much.

        The kitchen was almost sparkling besides the appliances, I decided to call it quits for the day, unfortunately I wouldn't be there long enough to see it or the whole house finished.  But then again I was thankful I wouldn't see the finished product.  I put the cleaning supplies back in their homes under the sink and put the broom back in it's corner next to a mop and bucket. I washed my hands and spun to face Thomas's direction, "I was gonna sit on the porch for a little bit. Do you want to join me?" I asked him seeing his head lift with interest. He stood, pushed the chair back under the table and took a few steps to the doorway before stopping and gesturing me to go through. I thanked him and went through the door and led the way to the porch, him following closely behind. I swung the door open and stepped out on the weathered porch and went to sit on the steps, Thomas had took a seat on the step above me, his knee was just barely touching my shoulder which made me a bit nervous but I tried to not think too much of it. I kept my eyes forward figuring a good route of escape that would give me the least amount of resistance and the widest margin to quickly change direction if he decided to chase me. I'd have to act fast, straight down the driveway, cut through the field, follow the ditch, dont stop moving.