Written in the Sand: Book 1 of the "Written" duology

Thrift Shops

I woke with a start, my pulse beating and my skin slick with sweat. My head hurt even worse than it did earlier, and the light from the new day didn't help any. I cringed as I looked over to my right, the windows blinds were open, letting in light.

It wasn't like that last night.

I looked over at the nightstand to see two pills and a glass half empty of water. There was a slip of paper under them. I picked it up and read the neat handwriting. The neatest writing I have ever seen a guy write.

Mazikeen,

I left to go and find Randall and Lilith to see how they're doing, and to tell them to meet you at the apartment. If you're hungry, I made some food for you while you were sleeping. I also set out some clothes for you to wear for today until you got your own. Take the pills before you eat, though.

If you need anything, call me.

Hamish

541-626-7281

I couldn't help but smile. "At least he was thoughtful and left a note," I muttered as I got up. I was still sore from the night before, but my legs were sturdy enough to walk without needing to hold onto something. I looked around for the clothes, and saw them sitting on a chair. Grabbing the clothes, I went to take a quick shower.

When I walked back into the room, I downed the pills with the water, slipped my phone in my pocket after unplugging it and punching in Hamish's number to save it. I tucked the note in my pocket as well, and made my way to the kitchen. When I got there, I looked for the food that was mentioned in the note that Hamish had written.

I found some oatmeal in a bowl in the microwave. It was still warm, so Hamish must've left a few minutes before I woke up. I heated it up again before eating it.

It was apple cinnamon. I ate it in three minutes flat. Not that I was counting or anything.

After I had eaten, my head was feeling significantly better, and decided to go out and walk around. I walked back into the spare bedroom and found some flipflops. Putting those on, I walked back out into the living room. I saw the clock and it read seven forty-eight. I gave a shrug and walked in the direction of the door. I saw another note by the door, and picked it up.

Mazikeen,

Please be careful. Lock up the apartment, and there is a spare key wedged in the bottom left corner of the doorframe. Take that when you lock up. I don't want you to get locked out.

Here is a card to get you some clothes and necessities. The pin is 0703. Randall should be there shortly.

Hamish

I gave a soft smile. I tucked the note and card into my pocket, making sure I didn't forget anything, and walked out, locking the door behind me. I looked where Hamish said the key would be, and smiled when I found it. "Nice," I muttered as I walked down the stairs instead of taking the elevator, and outside in the daylight.

I sat on the steps and waited.

It wasn't long before I saw Randall's car pull up. I gave a smile as I walked up. "Hey," I said as I opened the passenger side door. Randall gave me a smile as his fast pace music poured out of the car.

"Ready to spend Hamish's money?" He asked, his smile growing wider. I rolled my eyes as I sat inside. I shut the door and we were off.

I looked over at Randall and asked, "Are there any good thrift shops here?"

Randall considered this question, then gave a nod. "Yeah, I know of a few good places. You want to go to them?" He asked. I nodded my head.

Randall drove to the closest one to us, and I got out, looking at the little store. Walking in it was the smell only thrift shops smelled of, and I was happy, despite what had occurred the day before. I walked around with Randall in tow and began picking and choosing shirts, pants, and a few shoes.

I tried them all on and all Randall had to say, unenthusiastically, was, "Those look awesome on you,"

We walked out of there spending thirty-five dollars, when most of the clothes would have been more in a name brand store.

We went through the other thrift shop in similar fashion; grabbing and trying on clothes that Randall seemed to like, or pretended to, which was no help.

On the way back, Randall stopped by someplace, grabbed the card that Hamish let me use, and walked inside. He returned a few minutes later with two coffee cups and a big bag of fruit snacks. I gave him a smile as he got back inside the car, handing me one of the cups. I drank my coffee just the way it was as Randall poured some sugar in his.

It was past noon when Randall dropped me back off at Hamish's apartment armed with shopping bags and a bag of half full fruit snacks. "Thank you for bearing with me through this," I said, holding up the bags full of clothes. Randall gave me a smile.

"No problem. It was... really fun," He said. The look in his eyes gave away that it wasn't for him, and that Randall rather to have spent the money elsewhere. I gave him a laugh. "Well, nonetheless, thank you,"

Randall said goodbye and peeled out of the parking lot just as I was walking to the elevators to go up into the apartment.

I dropped the things off in the spare room, and gave a heavy sigh.

"What am I gonna do now," I said to myself, eating some of the gummy fruits, taking the clothes out of the bags and folding them. Then I got an idea. I selected an outfit and quickly changed into it.

I chose black and white plaid pants, a white shirt, and Hamish's long coat. The shoes were some really cute boots I had found. I looked at myself in the mirror when I changed into the outfit, pulling my hair into a curly mess of a bun. I put my phone in my pocket, along with the notes, the card, and the key.

Time to go and look around the place.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ───

Playlist/Songs:

- Metropolis by Owl City

- Wolf in Sheep's Clothing by Set It Off

- Hey, Brother by Avicii