Exposed (#wattys2016)

chapter five

Before I went home for the day, I snuck a few bills into my pockets from the register. These would go towards groceries, and anything else we need. Nobody ever picks up on the missing cash, which is nice.

I flipped the "open" sign to "closed," wiping down the counters one last time. I heard feverish knocking at the door, loud enough to make me jump. I pointed to the sign, which said closed, unable to see who was outside the door.

"It's me, Caspian."

I heard his voice, muffled through the glass door, knocking still filling my ears.

"What the fuck does this kid want now?" I mumbled to myself, slamming the cleaning products down onto the counter.

I unlocked the door, opening it halfway. Casp looked at me, running his fingers through his dark hair.

"I know I'm not the only one who punched you yesterday," Casp pointed to the cheek that Ed punched, "I didn't aim that high. Didn't want you to go blind."

Caspian didn't smile or laugh, but I slipped a smile that almost seemed shy, my eyes fixating on my shoes for a moment.

"Thanks, glad my vision was in your best interest," I tried to stop smiling, but I couldn't. His serious manner towards this insignificant situation was not helping.

"Shut up, and tell me who," Caspian spoke through clenched teeth.

"Ed," I spoke slowly, trying to search Casp's eyes and face to see as to why he was so mad.

"Damn. That kid? Let me in here," Caspian almost growled and shoved his way past me and into the store, nearly knocking me into a shelf. This guy was stronger than I thought.

He awkwardly paced around the aisles a few times, stopping in front of the counter, "Where do ya keep the gun?"

I stuttered on my words a bit, "Gun?"

Caspian nodded and looked at me, his lower lip bitten back.

"I have a little bit of a plan," he came closer to me, words spilling from his mouth, "you and my sister are okay now, correct? I'm willing to give you a chance. We take the gun, find this Ed kid, and kill him."

I looked at Caspian, laughing a little bit at his plan. I would have put money on the fact that he was joking.

"Kill him? Isn't that a little bit harsh?"

Casp shook his head, pressing his finger into my chest, looking directly at me, "I know who you are talking about, and this kid deserves to be dead."

He backed away, walking to the coolers to grab two beers.

"For you," he tossed one of the beers over my way.

I thankfully caught it, popping the cap to take a long swig. Hell, I needed that after hearing this boy wants to commit a murder with me.

"I'll walk you home," he said while he studied his beer can.

Caspian motioned me to the door with him, holding it open for me, "Forget about the gun for now." He shook his head, chugging his beer after we were both outside.

"Why are you being so nice to me?"

I locked the door after we left, tucking the keys into my pocket.

Caspian shrugged as we started to walk down the dark streets.

"Kinda feel bad, kinda want to be nice for me."

I looked at him, shocked that he wanted to willingly be nice, "Wow, who is this person I'm talking to?" I jokingly spoke, continuously drinking the beer Casp stole. I was thirsty yet ready to fall into a false drunk sleep.