Trigger Warning: Sexual Abuse
That Thursday, when Halloween came, Autumn rushed Phoenix from the diner to the house to change into his Hulk costume once more, this time layering sweaters and sweatpants underneath his costume to avoid the brisk weather.
Both of them layered in their coats, Phoenix and Autumn were almost out the door to trick-or-treat when he called, "Wait! I need a pillowcase!"
Phoenix rushed back into his room, returning with the same stitched up pillowcase he'd used for years.
At the threshold of her door, Autumn stood with her head facing the icy breeze and inhaled, an excitement rushing through her at the thought of seeing Sin. It was only a matter of minutes before she'd see Saadia and Zeki, who invited Phoenix to trick-or-treat on their street.
All felt right for a moment.
That was, until a shiny black car pulled up to the gravel road before her house, and her heart plummeted in her chest.
Of course, she thought. So much for feeling comfortable.
Stepping out and approaching her slowly, Keith gave her a smile, one that revealed he had missed her.
"How's your mom?" asked Autumn, unable to meet his eyes.
"She's doing better, thanks for asking." Keith stared at her, as if to ask why she was at the door at that moment, and she crossed her arms as Phoenix rushed out in front of her, stopping short when seeing Keith standing there in his suit. "Oh," Keith almost looked disappointed at the look of Phoenix in his Hulk costume. "I guess I forgot it was Halloween."
"I was just about to take him out trick-or-treating," Autumn said, hoping that Keith would turn around, get back in his car and drive off.
However, the look in his eyes told her that wasn't happening.
"That pillow case looks like its retirement is overdue," Keith gestured to Phoenix, who scowled openly at the man before him.
"Yeah," was all Phoenix said.
"I got just the thing-" Keith turned and half-jogged to his van, pulling out a large tote bag from his back seat and brought it back to Phoenix. "It zips, too, so when you're running around trying to get some more candy, it won't fall out."
Hating that it was actually thoughtful, Autumn sighed, "Thanks, Keith."
"Yeah, thank you," Phoenix added, looking at the large blue stripe and label on the large bag, then glancing suspiciously at Keith.
"It's no problem, champ. Do you mind going ahead and giving your mother and I a second?" Keith said, looking at Autumn, who shook her head immediately.
"We're meeting his friends, I don't wanna keep them waiting-"
"Ten minutes, Autumn," Keith's voice became strained, as if he was resisting snapping the words.
YOU ARE READING
The Good in Sin
RomanceAutumn Rain was a twenty-four-year-old single mom who worked at a cafe to get by, and she worked so hard for her kid to have a good life. Her son, Phoenix Rain, was an eight-year-old boy similar to any other child, curious. He loved to go to the ca...
