Nadine timidly gazed at Sebastian over her slim shoulder as they walked down the Riley's grocery aisle. A generic, upbeat melody tuned lowly in the stores' speakers. When her eyes caught his, she smiled broadly, the small gap between her two front teeth flashing before she briskly turned away. Sebastian's brows furrowed. Why did she smile at me like that? He mentally pondered in silent thought as he continued to push the cart along. And why'd I smile back?
After a long day at work, Sebastian had reluctantly—after many fits of pouts and begging (he didn't know how much more toppings bribery he could hear)—agreed to take Nadine into town. Since she couldn't go outside any longer, she had been moping around for days. Usually, when Sebastian returned home, she would either be sitting on the hardwood floor by the wide windows at the back, or on her bed staring out at nature like a longing lover.
Thanks to the frigid Autumn weather, the sun had long set, and a thick fog loomed over the small town. Holiday lights streamed the skeletons of trees lining up and down the sidewalks.
Inside the towns only store, Nadie stood by the cart, her hair braided with silk ribbons and dressed in one of Sadie's old winter jackets. (The poor thing was so small, the thick fabric nearly swallowed her whole, leaving only her tiny legs peeking out from underneath as she waddled down the aisles.) Sebastian continued to push the cart and read through the shopping list he naively let Nadine make.
He'd pull a face at a few of the unnecessary items she scribbled down in the dull crimson color pencil: things like strawberry milk, some of the "good" cereal (whatever that meant,) lollipops, and bananas. (Lately, she'd been taking a liking to his fruit bowl. Always nibbling on an apple core or grapes as she read through some of his old books; laying upside down, on the couch, her ribboned braids sprawled out on the ground above her little head.) Casually, he skipped them and called out the next item for Nadine. "Two cans of tomato puree."
Nadine lifted her small arm above her head—even stood on the tips of her toes—but still couldn't reach. Her low grunts caught Sebastian's attention, and he found himself smirking. When heavily exhaled in defeat, she grudgingly pleaded, "help." Sebastian's grin only widened. He told her he'd get it as he stepped around the cart and leaned past her. Sebastian could feel Nadine staring at him. Even when he glanced, she didn't hide it, only smiled childishly. He could feel his breath leave him, and he tore his gaze away from her. Buzz. When he felt his phone vibrate, tossed the cans in the cart and pulled out his Mobile. Flashing on the screen was Lydia's name. Sebastian smiled heartwarmingly.
"Two questions," Lydia's wholesome voice chimed through the speakers, the faint sound of movement and shuffling in the distance rumbled. Sebastian could already envision her currently shoveling through her desk at the office, desperately trying to finish so she could head home. Lydia was one of the only people Sebastian worked with that he genuinely liked (and could bare.) Everyone else only ever seemed to annoy him.
YOU ARE READING
i don't feel safe anymore
Mystery / Thriller𝘏𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘬; #3 - 𝘱𝘴𝘺𝘤𝘩𝘰-𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳 ❝Shh, don't be afraid. I'm not going to hurt you . . . I could never hurt you.❞ WARNING : aberrant behavior, bloody and grisly details, strong sexuality, language, and MAJOR nymphet / dadd...