Backwoods

Chapter 3

Thomas couldn't stop thinking about you. Even as he was scolded by Luda mae his mind wandered to you. He had faint memories of when you were treating him on the couch as your delicate fingers worked over him.

He tried to lose himself in his work, though he found himself day dreaming. The rest of that day and the next thoughts of you plagued him and even his family were beginning to catch on.

Luda caught Thomas in one of his day dreams as he meekly washed off a knife. She could tell immediately what was going on in the man's head even if he hadn't realized it yet himself.

Giving Thomas a bit of a nudge in the right direction. Luda put together a basket of baked goods she had made and some extra goodies. While Hyott and Monty may want to keep Thomas locked up for the rest of his days. Luda has the faintest glimmer of hope that he may just find someone to be there for him when everyone else will have to leave.

Handing Thomas the basket Luda sent him on his way to your house with high hopes and her fingers crossed. She cared not for outsiders but her options were running low and these expectations of hers were becoming to unrealistic.

She would not live forever and when she died, she wanted to make sure Thomas would be well off with someone who could look after him and in return he could protect them.

With a sigh of acceptance, she let Thomas head out after the girl next door.

You were stood in your living room a sweaty mess. The movers brought you your furniture late last night so now you were struggling to try to move things around. You didn't realize how heavy your couch was until now as you failed to slide it into place.

Just as you were about to give up hope there was a knock at your door.

Glancing at the clock you saw it was almost four so no one was scheduled to stop by. Standing on your tip toes you glanced out your peep hole to see Thomas standing there with a basket in his arms. A bouquet of wild flowers resting on top.

You couldn't help but smile as you opened the door and saw him just light up.

"Afternoon." You greeted motioning for him to come in.

You both stepped into your kitchen having to dance around the furniture in your way.

You couldn't help the excitement as you put your flowers in a vase placing them in the center of the table. Thomas could see your joyful mood as he smiled at you laughing happily as he helped you unpack the basket explain what each container was to the best of his ability. You didn't know Luda was such a prolific baker, you would have to make her something in return. You tucked away the much-needed food into your fridge very much wanting to try some of her cakes right then.

Though as you stood Thomas pointed to the large sofa stuck in your hallway.

"Yeah I'm not strong enough to push it into the-" You hadn't finished your sentence when Thomas took over easily shoving the couch into place even scooting the end tables into place for you.

"Wow wish you were here yesterday." You joked grateful for his help.

Thomas pointed to the hall seeing the various things they needed to be moved.

"Yeah still gotta lotta unpacking huh." Thomas shook his head picking up a lamp and placing it on the side table as an 'example' of what he was asking.

"Oh! You want to help?" You corrected your self and he nodded in response patting your bed frame which was leaned against the wall.

"Well, you can if you want but don't feel like you got to." It was too late. Thomas had your head board in one hand and the foot in the other as he motioned for you to lead the way.

"Welp, bedrooms the last door on the right." You informed as you followed him up the stairs carrying the extra bits and bobs that was needed to put together the bed frame.

Thomas was actually really good at putting together furniture. You didn't know why or how but he had your bed together in minutes while you struggled to even find the directions.

Your entire living room and kitchen were set up before the sun had set.

Flopping onto the couch you let out an exaggerated sigh as Thomas flattened some empty boxes crushing them underfoot.

"I'm dying, I'm never moving again." You announced earning a chuckle as Thomas piled up your cardboard.

Seeing as it was getting dark outside Thomas made it clear that he was going to head home. You nodded and he patted your leg giving you a thumbs up before heading out locking the door behind him.

He didn't care that he had just helped you unpack all afternoon. Just that you didn't shudder at his appearance and didn't question his mask made him adore you.

Something deep within him told him that it was you, it was always you and its only you. Thomas strolled home slowly walking through the woods that connected his home to yours.

Dragging his feet he thought of things to say to you to make you happy. Maybe you liked compliments, he liked compliments so you most likely did. He should talk to Luda first though he doesn't want to upset you. He wanted to impress you. Make you like him like he liked you.

Sighing to himself Thomas walked inside and dragged his feet to the heavy metal door that lead to the basement.

He let his hand hang on the handle for a moment contemplating on going to the barn to star gaze instead. That always helped him clear his head when he was thinking too much. And he was certainly thinking too much as he was planning out things to do with you weeks from now.

Shaking himself Thomas slid the door open yelling in surprise when he was thrown aside by something slamming into his shoulder.

He watched in horror as yet another victim sprinted from the house flying out the front door. 

He could hear Monty yelling behind him as Thomas sprinted after the escapee. Hyott was already in his car attempting to drive around to cut the guy off though as Thomas gained on the guy he realized where they were heading. 

He was headed right towards your house. At this rate he would be in your back yard before Thomas could get him. The fear of this guy breaking into your home and hurting you drove him to go faster. Though it wasn't enough. 

Bursting free of the cover of the forest Thomas tackled the man to the ground in your backyard muffling his screams by driving his face into the dirt. 

With a knee in the center of his back Thomas wrapped his hands around the mans throat and squeezed until the man simply stopped moving. 

Thomas stood quickly knowing that at any moment you could peak your head out here and everything for him would be ruined. 

Throwing the man over his shoulder Thomas lumbered back to his house a tangle of emotions building in his chest. He said nothing to any one as they stared at him the rage radiating off of him deterring them. 

Though Hyott as clueless as ever had the audacity to shove Thomas blaming him for the man escaping when he had no idea there was even any one down there. 

Dropping the body with a sickening thud on the floor Thomas loomed over Hyott feeling anger bubbling in his chest. Before he could do something rash Luda broke them up telling them to turn in for the night crisis averted. 

Thomas stomped down stairs slamming the metal door so hard it rang like a bell. 

Little did Thomas know, he had not gone unnoticed that night.