Are You Kidding Me?!

Chapter 3: Fright At Its Finest

It had been three days since my encounter with the man slaying beast. I managed to make it through the days without showing how frightened I still was but sometimes that doesn't last long. I could tell my boss was starting to become aware of my strange behavior. I honestly couldn't blame her. For the past three days I had been quiet and only keeping to myself. I had completely shut everyone out.

I noticed Kohl also seemed distant himself. His eyes occasionally held guilt in them as if he did something he regretted. I wanted to question, but I was trying to figure out my own problems.

The day went by like a flitting breeze in the summertime. This time Cherry decided to come up to me with a cautious smile. She wore flats this time revealing her true height.

"Aidyn, dear?" she spoke softly startling me. "Are you okay? You've been really pale lately and you seem more jumpy. I'm worried about you."

"I'm fine, Miss Cherry." I said. "I just haven't been sleeping well due to some...problems."

"Are you sure? If you want to talk about it we can. Nothing's stopping you from doing so."

"Thank you for the offer, but I prefer to keep it to myself."

"Okay, hun. If you need me you know where to find me."

"Yes, Miss Cherry. Thank you."

"Anytime, sweetie."

Cherry walked away with a strained smile on her face which made my heart cringe with guilt. I really did want to tell her, but how could I without scaring her bright personality away? I shook my head sighing as I grabbed my shoulder strap purse and walked out of the closing store.

I still had to walk since I didn't have the money to buy a new car; however, I made sure to take a different route with less alleys. As I was walking I heard a distant thundering and I remembered then that I forgot my umbrella. I cursed under my breath as I started walking faster to avoid the now sprinkling rain drops.

Another clap of thunder had me running as the drops fell harder. I was really cursing myself at the moment feeling my clothes getting wetter by the second. I put an arm above my eyes so I could see while running through the gray sheet in front of me.

I looked down for once second to wipe my eyes only to run into someone. The impact sent me falling onto my rear straight into a puddle. I yelped as the cold water seeped through the fabric while looking up to see who I hit.

There stood Kohl with an umbrella in his hand but still just as drenched on his lower half. He looked at me on the ground before sighing and shaking his head.

"You okay?" he asked holding out his hand.

"Just dandy." I growled grabbing his hand allowing him to pull me up. "Look at me I'm such a mess. I probably wouldn't have been this forgetful if that stupid man-beast-"

I slapped my hand over my mouth as I looked at Kohl. His eyes were slightly widened as the words registered in his mind.

"What man-beast?" he asked urgently.

I remained silent.

"What man-beast, Aidyn?"

I was still silent as I felt tears prick my eyes and my body start to shake.

"Aidyn." Kohl hissed grabbing me by my shoulders. "What. Man. Beast?"

"The same one Ron was talking about!" I yelled feeling the tears fall freely. "I was scared, okay. I didn't want to tell anybody because I was scared of even talking about the thing. I just did-mmph!"

I watched as the umbrella fell to the ground as Kohl's arms surrounded me in a tight embrace. I felt more tears fall as I felt security take over every fiber of my being. I returned Kohl's embrace crying my heart out.

"It's okay." Kohl whispered. "I've got you now. Nothing will harm you."

"Kohl, you're getting wet." I sniffed. "You're gonna get a cold."

"You're one to tell me that."

I gave a timid laugh as I calmed myself down. I then realized I was in an area I recognized. My place was literally a few blocks away. I looked at Kohl who was still holding me and I felt him shiver bit.

"Kohl?" I said tapping him. "How far are you from your house?"

"A couple of miles." he replied. "Cherry usually drives me home, but I needed some time to think to myself."

"My house is just a couple of blocks down if you'd like to stay and have your clothes dried off."

"That sounds nice. Are you sure, though?"

"I'm as positive as a neutron!"

"You did not just make that corny joke."

"Oh, but I did, barista boy."

Kohl laughed as he let go of me to pick up his water filled umbrella. We ran the rest of the way to my place and practically lept inside the dry building. I grabbed us two towls and started drying myself off as I threw my soaked shoes in a nearby corner. Kohl did the same.

I turned on the heater then went to my room to see if my ex had left any of his clothes. I, luckily, found a shirt and sweatpants in my second drawer. I walked into the livingroom handing Kohl the  clothes in my hand.

"You can use these." I murmured. "They were my ex's from two years ago. I hope they fit. Showers down the hall, first door on the left."

"Thank you." Kohl breathed as he brushed by me.

I watched him leave then went to my personal bathroom in my room. I quickly took a shower then dressed in a tanktop and sweat pants after drying off. I then left my room with an extra pillow and blanket in hand and went to the livingroom again.

Kohl had already laid down with his head on the armrest staring at the ceiling. I cleared my throat making him snap his translucent colored orbs to me.

"I brought you a blanket and pillow." I said quietly placing them beside him. "It doesn't look like the rain is gonna let up anytime soon so, if you don't mind, you can sleep here."

"Thank you, Aidyn." Kohl said smiling slightly. "I already put my clothes in the washer so you don't need to worry about them."

I nodded loving the slight smile on Kohl's face. I yawned waving as I walked away.

"Well if you're all set then I'm going bed." I said walking towards my room. "Goodnight, Kohl."

"G'night, Aidyn." Kohl muttered tiredly. "Sleepwell."

I hummed a reply as I closed my bedroom door behind me and sank into my bed.