A Twisted Situation

Chapter 17: Once Upon a Time

The wind picked up as Gabriel walked, swirling stray leaves around on the sidewalk. He glanced up, spotting a brief blur of a dog running in the nearby park. He chuckled when he saw that the dog's owner was running after him. He quickened his pace, eager to move along. He was heading to an ice cream shop, where Sophie was waiting for him.

His beloved Sophie. His strong, his beautiful Sophie. Gabriel admits that ever since the kidnapping by her ex, he had been only a little protective. Whenever someone got close to Sophie, especially someone questionable, he couldn't help but wrap his arm around her, clinging her to himself. He really had no reason to do so, but he didn't know about Teddy, and Sophie rarely told him about her close peers or anyone in her past, so how could be sure of anything?

Gabriel's heart skipped as he neared the ice cream shop. He stopped in front of the window, his eyes skimming for Sophie. His breathe caught as he saw her, sitting in one of the glittery blue booths- but he saw that she wasn't alone. There was another man sitting beside her, wearing a gray hoodie and black pants. Sophie smiled at something the man said, and bumped into his shoulder in a playful way. The man was relatively handsome, Gabriel supposed. His hair was a dark brown, and it stood slicking up. His eyes were a light brown, but leaded with some depression that even from this distance Gabriel could see. He suddenly looked serious as he checked his watch, telling Sophie something inaudible to Gabriel. Sophie nodded in understanding, and they both stood up out of the booth. The man reached his arm around Sophie, holding her tightly. Gabriel slumped against the window frame as he saw Sophie do the same. The man placed his chin against the top of Sophie's head, his eyes fluttering shut. Sophie pulled away, laughing to draw away concern from her tears. Gabriel's fists clenched at his side, willing his anger to get the better of him. The man squeezed her hand before walking away. On his way out the door, he bumped into Gabriel.

"Oi, sorry mate," he said, turning to look at Gabriel.

Gabriel put his fists into his pockets, resisting the urge to hit the strange man. "It's cool," he gritted through his teeth.

"Have a good day," the man nodded, hurrying off across the street.

Gabriel pulled the door open and was met with a swift of cold air. He ignored the coldness and walked over to where Sophie was. When Sophie saw him, she leapt up, jumping into his arms. Gabriel's anger melted away as he breathed in the familiar smell of her.

"I missed you," Sophie whinned.

"I saw you yesterday," Gabriel smiled.

"I know but still," she groaned.

Gabriel sat in the booth across her. His eyes lingered over her but his thoughts weren't on her. He was still wondering who the man was.

"Hey, Soph?"

"Mhmm?" Sophie mumbled, her mouth full of ice cream.

"Who was that man? I saw you guys through the window," he said. "I mean, I wasn't stalking or anything, I just noticed him and we bumped into each other outside."

"Oh!" Sophie nodded, "That was Cyril," she said, as if Gabriel would understand who Cyril was.

"Yeah?" Gabriel willed on.

"Remember Thomas?" she asked, licking ice cream off her finger.

Gabriel pondered for a minute. He couldn't recall anyone he knew personally named Thomas. He shook his head.

"Well," she said. "Would you like the short version, the detailed version, or the bedtime story version?"

Gabriel crossed his arms over his chest. "Surprise me," he said, leaning back.