Shadow of the Day (Wolf Moon Sequel)

Chapter 27: Dom

Ivy POV

Dad, Lila's dad, dropped me off at the supermarket early in the morning Saturday. I volunteered to do some grocery shopping, but had wanted to go alone. I needed time to think everything through, so silence and distance was necessary.

I went through the aisles slowly, checking everything I needed off the list he'd given me before I left. It was pretty much empty this morning, very quiet except for the soft music playing in the background. It was kind of nice. Peaceful.

I passed through the bread section, the frozen aisle, then made my way over to the fruits and vegetables. As I picking some apples, some fell over and onto the ground. I sighed and bent over, starting to pick them up. A hand joined mine and we both put the apples back in their place.

"Thanks," I said quietly, already pushing my cart forward.

"You're welcome," the person answered. Male. Definitely male. "Now tell me, what's a beautiful girl like you doing at a grocery store looking as if somebody just ran over your dog?"

What a line.

"I just got some news I don't know how to take." I kept pushing my cart, stopping to pick up fruits and vegetables every once in a while. So it'd been a week since I got the results back, but I still hadn't told a soul and frankly was still unsure about how to feel.

"Hmmmm, so you came for some therapeutic grocery shopping? Most girls would go actual shopping and blow all their money on useless things."

I grunted in response and kept going. What a tool. He grabbed my arm and stopped me.

I whipped my head up at him. A stranger touching me tended to send red flags shooting up high with a whole noisy fanfare. I didn't know how old this guy was, but he looked a little older than me. His black hair was kind of long, definitely in need of a cut; it kept falling into his brown eyes. He was a little taller than me, and not very built. Matt would totally be able to take him, easily.

He released my arm, hands in the air. "I didn't mean any harm. I just figured you could use a smile today."

"What I really need today is a break from everyone," I pushed on. This was getting annoying. I came for peace and quiet and couldn't seem to get that anywhere anymore.

"Well I'm not everyone," he replied.

"Allow me to rephrase. I need a break from people. Now scram." Oh great, now I sounded like a crabby old lady.

He chuckled a little. "You know what? You seem like a nice gal. And you also seem pretty little, so how about this? I won't bother you for the rest of your time here, then I'll help you get all these bags into the car."

"No need, my dad is coming to pick me up." The d-word tasted bitter on my tongue.

"An extra pair of hands will make it go faster."

"What if I don't want to get home faster? What if I don't want to go home at all?" I blurted. I wasn't serious about what I said, I just didn't want his help at all. But now that I thought about it, the idea suddenly became tempting. I discarded it quickly though. Just because things didn't turn out how I thought they would didn't mean I should run away from home now.

"What's wrong at home?" he asked gently.

"None of your beeswax, now buzz off," I rushed forward, not paying attention, and nicked the corner of a box full of chocolates. At the speed I was going, it fell over and they spilled all over the place.

I was just about ready to tear my hair out. This morning was just falling apart and so was I. I fell to my knees and started picking up all the stupid chocolates, wiping at my eyes periodically while the stranger helped me. I didn't want his help. I wanted a piece of paper and a pencil and Matt. I just wanted to be far from anything reminding me of Lila, Dad and Joe.