Let Them Fall

0.1

I stood stiffly at my mother's side. She always wanted to drag me everywhere with her, but I was an adult. I wanted to do things on my own. I was tired of her treating me as if I was a child, I'm in my twenties. I don't deserve to be treated like a little toddler that's going to fuck everything up! I know how to fucking control myself I just don't want to. I rolled my eyes as she glared at me and stated, "Stay within my sight. Or else."

I wondered off casually despite my mothers very real threat. I'd probably be locked in the basement for the night for this. No blankets. I'm glad I wore all these layers suddenly as I pulled my cardigan close. That's when I heard the small bells attached to the front door sound off, I looked up snapping out of my trance and that's when I saw him. He was taller than I most definitely, he had black hair that appeared to be dyed; it was on the longer side, slicked back. He was twirling a knife as he walked towards the counter and tossed it at the man who sat with his head laying on the counter, sleeping; or well he was until the knife caught his attention and he shouted, "Hey! What the hell man?"

He didn't say anything just pulled out a gun from the waist band of his jeans, twirling it a bit a first seeming to just amuse himself, only to pause. The gun was pointed directly at the man now; he seemed to be more serious for but a second, before spinning it back around and knocking the the man to the ground with his gun, rendering him on the verge of fading out of consciousness. The boy hopped over the counter and stood over his body stating cruelly, "That's no way to talk around such a beautiful young lady." The boy winked at me and my mother sat curled up holding onto a shelf. He bowed in front of her stating simply before leaving, "Good day mam."

The worker attempting to talk but only managed to get out two words as the boy cleared out the cash register and walked back to stand back over the workers body, laughing lightly, the worker's eyes seemed to widen as he stuttered, his voice so shakily, "F-fucking psycho." I couldn't help but to find it a bit amusing myself.

He picked him up by the collar and slammed him against the back wall behind the counter, where the cigarettes were. He looked from the worker to me and I found myself closer I now realized as I stood in front of the counter at a distance. I glanced at my mother's horrified expression then stepped up to the counter fully, the man slammed the worker again stating roughly, "Apologize." It was odd as if he knew I wasn't bothered by anything the man had done clearly, unlike my mother; who was completely horrified, but he seemed to notice I enjoyed the game as much as he did.

He asked clearly confused, "What the hell are you talking about? Hey lady!" The worker looked to me desperate and confused, "Why the fuck aren't you going for help? Do something! This guy's insane!"

I shook my head and spoke up finally, "No, no he's not. He's beautiful.."

The man smiled at me and gave a nod of gratitude, then slammed him again stating, "Apologize for being rude in front of the lady; or die."

The worker stammered out an apology finally and then the man knocked him back again with his hand gun, watching with a smile as he faded out of consciousness. He then looked to me and stated while ripping his knife out of the counter, "Now what could I do for you and your lovely-sister-am I right?" My mom still looked scared to death and was shaking hard.

I laughed lightly, "No that's my mother. And I do appreciate how respectful you are, but language doesn't bother me. I use bad language enough myself. And we came here to pick up some milk and myself a pack of smokes and a lighter."

He turned behind him scanning the different brands and snagged Marlboro red 100's. He turns back and asks sweetly, "This okay little lady?"

I rolled my eyes and said, "Yeah that's fine and the name's Elizabeth."

He stared at me for a moment after I took the pack out of his hand and states with a wide, wicked smile, "Lizzy."

I ask sweetly, "I suppose you could call me that. And speaking of names; yours would be what exactly?"

He responds, "Zack. But you should get your mother home now I think Lizzy darling. It's dangerous out here." I grabbed a lighter and opened my pack lighting one and helping my mother to her feet as Zack threw the worker over his shoulder and started to leave. "Maybe I'll see you around."

I responded slyly, "The only danger around here is my mother and the guy you slung over your shoulders. And you can count on it if you're staying in town."

Zack smiled again; that wonderful smile of his. I loved it already. He was captivating, saving me from the cruelty of the people. As he tossed his knife in the air, caught it and gave one last nod farewell. I nodded back as I helped my mother to her feet and drove her home smoking and singing along with the demons on our way home.