Deception: NatemarexReader

Chapter 2: Tearful Rivers

QOTD: Airplanes or Car rides?

As a thank you for your hard work, Ms. Darling let you go 15 minutes earlier than usual. So you decided to use that extra time to...buy more boxes of Lucky Charms and Oreos....

It was currently 7:00 p.m, so there wasn't much of a crowd at the grocery store. A couple people were wearing pajama pants or straight-up went outside in a pikachu onesie. The cereal aisle was empty. This was pleasant news to you. You needed the silence to clear your mind from a busy day like this one. Heh. Good thing you don't have autophobia.

Your thoughts soon drifted off to the sign on the lamp post you passed by earlier. Someone had gone missing...again. It's a shame too. So many lives are forgotten by time. Time is an enemy. All things die eventually, don't they?
...That was a depressing thought. It's best if we don't think about that.

You flinch when your phone vibrates in your pocket. The brightened screen read, 'Reminder: Meeting Tomorrow @2:30'
A small sigh left your rosy lips when you remember the endless torture of sitting in a white room with judgmental middle-class pubescents. It was only about an hour, right?

You push the shopping cart further down the isle, rocking the cereal box back and forth. Your (e/c) eyes scan the shelves with content. It was filled with nothing but oatmeal and syrup.

Your mind plays out the events soon to happen.

Your tired eyes glancing at the sweet midnight snacks soon to be feasted on. The senses in your mouth eat with delight of such wonderful tastes...

The pitter-patter of feet dragged you out of your daydream.  Loud cheers of laughter grew closer to the cereal isle. It sounded like a large group of high schoolers. Your vocal cords pulsate a low-pitched groan.

You go with your gut and leave the isle before they get any ideas. Besides, you realize that you need to get some ice cream and Popsicles. There is no special occasion for it, like any normal person would use it for. It's for whenever you need something to snack on while you fix your sleep schedule.

You feel a chill run down your spine as the refrigerated door opens. Your (e/c) eyes observe the ice cream flavors that looks the most appealing.
'Vanilla, Strawberry, Reese's....aha!'
You held up (ice cream flavor) in your hand as if you won first place in the Olympics. But your moment of victory was ruined by the sorrowful cries of a young man in another isle.
'Why couldn't I have gotten only the cereal...'

Like a puppet being dragged by its strings, you march obediently to the cries in need. You'd rather lose your heart than have one at all if it meant you wouldn't have to waste 10 minutes to comfort everyone you meet.

You turn the corner and approach the man slowly.
"Hey."
The man jumps in suprise and swiftly wipes his tears away. His eye looked as if he's been crying for hours.
"Are you okay...?"
He sighs and looks down at his tear-stained shirt,
"No...Why would you care?"
"Because I want to help, dude."
The crying man chuckles lightly and continues,
"I bet you've seen the news about the whole kidnapping thing, right?"

You nod for him to proceed.
"M-my....girlfriend went missing...We were at this night club downtown with my friend, Viola. I don't know what h-happened. One minute we're having a drink, next minute I hear police sirens outside the building..."

Your eyes widen as you connect all the pieces together. Sam's sister went missing....but that means...
"Do you know if anyone else went missing that night?"
The man looks at the floor in silence for a few seconds, thinking to himself.
"I-I'm....not sure...."

"Alright.....I guess I'll just ask the chief tomorrow." You utter under your breath with hints of frustration.
The man notices this and speaks with realization and awe,
"Wait, are you a cop?!"

Your (s/c) hands tighten around your waist as you dramatically pose at his remark."Technical Investigator to be precise." The man stared at you with childish wonder as if you climbed buildings and hacked websites as a job. But, we all have to wake up to reality sometime....

He snaps out of his daydream and speaks with utter guilt,
"I apologize for keeping you busy..."
"No No! It's okay. I'm glad that you're feeling better."
He held out his hand in front of you for you to take.

"My name's Nate by the way. I appreciate your services...Best of luck on your case."
His name surprised you. He didn't look like a 'Nate'. More like a 'John' or a 'Connor'. You space-out for a couple of seconds, but return to his focus.

"Sorry! I mean...I'm (y/n). (Y/n) (l/n)."

He smirks and takes your hand and firmly shakes it.
"Nice name."
"Thanks..."
Nate stares at your slippers for a moment and looks back at you with an imaginary lightbulb above his head.
"Hey, are you doing anything tomorrow? Maybe we could go grab some coffee at the shop downtown."
You're inner antisocial personality screams out to decline, while your social butterfly whispers to meet new people. You didn't want to be rude so out gladly except the offer. Nate gives you a slip of paper before walking off.
You observe the written letters on the paper. It was his phone number...

Good thing Nate wasn't some total creep or else you've beat the heck out of him for trying to lure you to your possible death. Your heart warmed up inside. Were you attracted to him? You internally barfed inside your head, as your heart twirls in circles with graceful steps of blind love.

'He's not even that cute! Stop it!'

'But did you see the look on his face?
It was adorable! Like a sleeping puppy!'

'Oh, shut up you delusional little-'