In the arms of evil

This is me

I haven't seen much of Colton recently. But working at the bookshop this past month has helped take my mind off things.

"Morning Bill" I wave at my neighbour as he walks into the bookstore. "Hey there kiddo. Got anything new for us?" He points at the dog he's left waiting outside. "Sure do. Collective poems by Edgar Allen Poe. Just came in this morning" I hold up the book by the counter. "Perfect. I think..." we both chuckle. I scan the book, put it in a bag for him and wave him goodbye. He's an adorable old man who reads out loud to his dog from time to time.

Garret and Lucy walk into the store from one of her doctors appointments. "How you doing honey?" I ask, propping her on the counter as she tries to clime up. She yawns. "It's been a long day. I was going to take her home, but she wanted to see you first" Garret brushes the black curls from his face before smiling at me and her. He's such a sweet uncle to her. "How about I take a quick break and read you something in your uncles office?" Lucy smiles wide as she motions for me to pick her up. I chuckle, take her in my arms and look towards Garret who's looking at me in admiration. I never noticed his lime green eyes before. They hold a sadness to them. I guess everyone in this town suffers from something that brings them pain.

"The end" I notice Lucy yawn and begin to nod off in my arms on the brown leather couch in the office. I lift her and set her down so her head rests on a pillow, throw a blanket gently over her and give her a kiss on the head before leaving the office. I bump into Garret on my out "sorry. She fell asleep in there. I was just coming to let you know" Garret smiles at me as he peaks through the door to see a sleeping Lucy tucked in. "Thanks by the way. Treatments been hard on her. She likes having a female around" he looks down at the books in his hands. "What happened to her parents?" I ask, oblivious yet curious. "Her mom, my sister, died when she was born. Her dad was gone from before my sister even knew she was pregnant. I took sole custody and have been taking care of her since she was a baby."
"God, Garret. I'm so sorry. I had no idea. Poor Lucy." My eyes drift to her again through the crack of the door. That poor little girl has endured so much.

I put away a few more books before finishing my shift. That's when Garret walks up to me sheepishly and asks: "so what happened with you and Colton?" Taking me completely by surprise. "Um..."
"It's just that, you two seemed close. No ones ever seen Colton like that here. He's never given anyone any trouble. But just look at him. He radiates danger. So what's up with you two? Are you guys...?" He gives me a questionable look and that's when I realise "oh god no. No we haven't done...that. We were dating for like, a day. Until he completely lost his mind and freaked." Garret shoots me a curious look. "It's a long story. Let's just say me and Colton are not a good match. Not even close" I chuckle because I suddenly find it amusing that I ever thought a guy like Colton Anderson could ever handle a girl like me. Garret looks at me with a smirk on his face. "So, tell me, what is a girl like you like?" He crosses his arms and cocks his head. "Just you wait and see" I copy his stance.

That night, after I left the bookstore, I called Cara to check everything was fine on that end. No sign of Troy and nothing suspicious. But she had to hurry because she had a date. And by date, I mean casual hookup. But hey, whatever makes her happy. "Time to show this town who Brooklyn Peterson really is" I say looking at myself in the mirror. I gaze at my outfit. Olive green dress, just above the knee at the front with a long tule back in black. My hair was wavy which accented the caramel highlights in my raven hair. Ruby red lipstick and my chocolate brown eyes to show the powerful women within me was held high by the studded Giuseppe zanotti's I had on. Golden hour hit me the second I left my front door. I felt rather powerful.

I headed straight to the club that night. I have no idea what I was thinking. But as a young Brooklyn Peterson, who was a daredevil to the bone, this is exactly what she would have done. And let me tell you something, that girl, the girl I was before all the male drama, that girl was a damn queen. And I'll be dammed if I'm letting her slip away.