The City (Merome AU)

4

~*Jerome*~

The shop has been slower than usual today, and I have absolutely no idea why. Usually we get at least three customers every few hours, but we've only gotten one out of the whole day. I wonder what's going on...

My curiosity gets the best of me and I look out the door of the shop. The usually bustling street is now barren, the only sign of life being Kaydee's dog sniffing around. That dog hates me. I literally can't leave through the shop door or it'll snap at me. What did I do to deserve this? Sighing softly, I close the door and walk back to the counter. Great Notch I'm bored.

"Jerome?! What are you still doing here?" I turn to see grandfather looking at me with a stunned expression.

"What do you mean? I thought you told me to-"

He interrupts me. "The mayor called a meeting with everyone to discuss what to do with the woman. What's her name, Kaylee?"

"Kaydee," I correct. "And why didn't you tell me earlier?" Why does nobody tell me anything anymore?!

"I thought officer Leonheart told you already."

"Abby never tells me anything! She just expects me to know everything."

"As you should. Now get going before they start thinking you're dead." I nod and walk out of the shop.

As soon as the door closed behind me, I instantly regretted it. The dog froze what it was doing before looking in my direction. I look back at it before thinking over my options. I could make a run for it and loose the mutt on the intersection of Star and Northridge, or maybe I'll be able to walk passed it if I stay completely quiet...

No. Both of those options are idiotic. This dog has been in the wasteland. It can probably outrun me within the first ten seconds if I'm lucky...

My train of thought was interrupted by the dog moving toward me slowly. It was growling loudly as it crept closer; a murderous look gleamed in its eyes. I back away slowly, only to bump into the fence that separates my family's backyard from the main road. I'm dead...

I squeeze my eyes closed and brace myself for it to jump. I knew I shouldn't have stood there for so long. Now I'm going to pay for it. Hearing the dog snarl, I instinctively bring my hands up to block my face. Seconds later I hear the dog whine, and I open my eyes in confusion.

In front of me stood a man who appeared to be about my age. He was facing away from me, and toward the dog. The man made a deep throated growl, and the dog backed up a little ways away. Who is this guy?

The dog growls back, snapping his razor sharp teeth, but the man doesn't even flinch. Instead, he continues his growl and takes a step closer to the dog. My eyes widen in surprise at his actions. What type of idiot walks closer to an animal like that? After what seems like an eternity, the dog finally gives up and runs off in another direction.

"How did you do that?" I ask in amazement as the man lets out a sigh before turning to look at me.

"Crazy Kaydee's dogs are specifically trained to kill people! You were an idiot to get that thing angry!" he yells, clearly angry with me. He doesn't seem like a very nice guy.

"That dog just hates me! I didn't do anything to it!" I snap back, standing up for myself.

"Those dogs don't just hate people. You either make them mad, or Kaydee commands them to attack you." He lets out an annoyed huff before holding on to his arm. My gaze moves downward, and I finally notice the steady stream of blood running down his arm.

"It bit you!"

"I think I already knew that," the man mutters, rolling his eyes at me.

"Let me help you with that." I take off the cloth wrap I keep around my arm.

"I-I don't-" He tries to keep his arm away, but I grab it and pull it closer to me.

"You saved me, so I have to thank you in some way." I start to wrap the cloth tightly around his arm, but not tight enough to cut off his circulation.

"You're too stubborn for your own good," He mumbles, clearly embarrassed.

"I get that a lot." I let out a small laugh once I was finished wrapping his arm. "Did it bite you anywhere else, or am I good?" His face was slightly red, making me smirk in accomplishment.

"I-I'm fine." He looks away, avoiding my gaze entirely. This guy...

"Alright." I'm still not convinced, but I won't push him. "If you say so. But if you need any help, that building to the left of us is my family's shop. Just ask for Jerome."

"Jerome," he repeats the name to himself before nodding. "I'll keep that in mind."

I smile and turn to leave. "Oh, before I leave, I didn't catch your name."

"Benja," he states quickly. "My name is Benja."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Jerome! Why are you so late?" Abby asks, running over.

"Sorry, I had to deal with a shipment issue," I lie, running a hand through my hair. "Though I doubt you want to stand here listening to the story."

"You're right about that. Let's go before you get into anymore trouble than you are in now." Before I could respond, she grabs my wrist and pulls be toward the courthouse.

I wonder how she'd react if I told her I was almost killed by a dog....