i don't feel safe anymore

Part 6

"Okay, rules," Sebastian began after he parked his Audi and turned to a smiling Nadine. She had changed into one of Sadie's summer dresses; she seemed to love dresses and gowns. "No walking away, no touching things, and do not talk to any strangers, ok?"

She smiled and gave a exaggerated nod.

"Okay, good—" he went to reach for the door but was stopped when Nadine raised her hand and held her pinky out. She waited, and Sebastian frowned in confusion. When her emerald eyes darted back and forth from her hand to his, he slowly got the hint and rose his pinky. She looped her small finger around his and held it. "Okay—" he murmured. With her pinky still holding his hostage, her thumb shot up, and Sebastian's frown deepened.

"You have to stamp it," she explained.

Hesitantly, Sebastian raised his thumb and pressed it against Nadine's. "Okay?" she nodded eagerly. "Alright then, let's do this." They got out of the car, and she followed him onto the sidewalk, her eyes taking in everything. She tried to follow close by as she admired the autumn, picture-perfect town around her.

She smiled down at the jack-o'-lanterns in the window display of a bookstore and a raven squawking on a STOP sign. Colorful fallen leaves scattered along the sidewalk. The roads were dark from moisture from last night's rain. Everything practically screamed fall and Nadine loved it. She made sure to take a mental photo.

He led them into a small store. The bell dinged overhead as they entered the glass door. It was a little dry cleaner. Nadine followed Sebastian to the empty front desk where he ringed the bell. As they waited for someone to come, Nadine gazed around, already bored. She glanced out the wide windows and spotted a black cat prowling along the sidewalk. He peeked through the glass with his electric green eyes and met Nadine's gaze.

She carefully tip-toed over and crouched on her hands and knees. She crawled slowly to the window like a leopard ready to attack. The cat sat and licked its paws carelessly as she quietly crawled closer.

A little old Asian woman walked to the back of the desk with a smile. Sebastian greeted her politely as he handed his ticket. She went through the racks and pulled out his shirts. Bring them back to the counter. She rang him up. "Such a cute little girl," she smiled. Sebastian reached into his back pocket for his wallet, and he followed her gaze to Nadine who sat crouched on the tiled floor by the window. She was quietly approaching. Once close enough without the cats noticing, she pounced onto the window and scared it, sending it jumping up with a hiss. She giggled and pawed at the glass. She crouched lower and made small meows.

Sebastian turned and pulled out his card. "Thank you," he said with a tight smile. He felt odd having that be said to him. Did she think her to be his daughter? He glanced over at her. She certainly did look young enough.

Sebastian smiled and said thank you to the lady as he took his dry cleaning. Nadine stood and followed him outside. He pulled his phone out, and she skipped behind along the wet concrete. Grey wispy clouds in the sky, the sun still out and shining. Sebastian opened the back door of his car and put the dry cleaning inside. He finished his text and slipped his phone in his pocket. When he glanced up, Nadine wasn't there.

"Nadine?" he called out.

She came waddling around the car with a giant pumpkin in her arms. "Can I keep this?" she asked. The pumpkin was carved, and a little flickering candlelight danced inside its triangular eyes.

Sebastian's eyes widened. His gaze darted around quickly to make sure no one was around and looking. "Nadine where the hell did you get that?" He hissed under his breath.