Jake

Chapter 17 - Threat

I rolled my eyes at his mood before sculling the rest of my coffee. Imelda's announcement of possibly going shopping had sparked excitement within me. I was eager to do something I enjoyed, something normal.

I stood and rinsed my mug as she had, hoping she hadn't just been saying it to stir Jake up.

"Are you up for it?" Imelda beside me smiled as she dried up the mugs

I needed to keep busy, I feared that staying indoors with the supernatural forces surrounding me would send me insane.

Imelda was a gorgeous woman, inside and out, she almost felt like an older sister. It was like my real sister hadn't left, back to the way she used to be before all the darkness dragged her down.
I craved familiarity.

As usual, my venture wouldn't be without a small taste of uneasiness.
Despite Jake's dismay at Imelda taking me out of the house, he had decided to come along, making us wait an extra twenty minutes for him to get ready and follow us out with a pout.

Imelda didn't seem bothered, almost like she was used to it.

Jake had insisted on driving, which meant I was sat in the back alone as Imelda sat silently up front with Jake. I watched out the window at the passing houses, until the town began to grow more dense with houses which became bigger, the land becoming smaller.

Within a painstakingly long ten minutes, we were in the heart of town. Kids on bikes straddled around the neighbourhood with their hats on backwards, kicking tricks on the curbs. Women stood in their front gardens talking to their neighbours while screaming at their infant children pulling at the leaves and flowers decorating each yard beautifully.

I suddenly wished I was a part of one of the families, the normal families living normal lives. I would have liked to have been a teenager roaming the streets on a bike, or picking flowers in a yard while my mother yelled at me. Unfortunately, that wasn't my story, nor did I think it was remotely possible anytime soon.

Once we pulled into the car park, people flooded around, families, couples, friends, teenagers, all walking to and from their cars with carefree strides.
I didn't even know what carefree meant anymore.

"It's a beautiful day" Imelda sighed as we exited the car

"It is" I agreed as I looked up at the clear blue sky, the bright sun and the slight breeze pushing through nearby trees

Imelda and I walked side by side towards the stores as Jake dragged his feet behind us

"Anything in particular you need?" Imelda asked as we entered the bustling building

"A couple of things" I thought aloud.

I needed some socks, probably a jumper or two more and oddly enough, I wanted some books. I loved to read, and because of the sudden rush to leave home, I had left my beloved collection behind.

For all I knew, I was going to be stuck in Aldrek's home for weeks, and I didn't intend on sitting around twiddling my thumbs. Books kept me away from the harsh reality around me, and at a time like this, I needed that more than anything.

"Would it be weird to want to go to the book store?" I asked Imelda, silently hoping

"Sure" She answered with, not a bother in her face appearing

We pushed through crowds towards the right of the centre, men and teenage boys near stopping in their tracks to glance towards Imelda and spy a glimpse at the near perfect woman beside me.
I felt like a complete disaster next to her.

Once we reached the bookstore, I felt a sense of home, the smell alone comforting. The quiet ambiance enveloped me as soon as we stepped inside. Books lined along each wall, stands in the middle of the large space lined with various book genres.