Death Bite (Peterick)

Part 1: Because We Care

Patrick's POV:

"Fuck," I moaned as I became aware of the time.

I sat up, noticing how the sunlight didn't hit my face today, and my gaze shifted to the window to see the sky was engulfed in coal black clouds. I stretched, and the sound of popping echoed throughout the fairly empty room, relieving my joints of the stress I put them through all night. Part of me wanted to give in and get an actual bed sometime, but I wasn't planning on staying long anyhow, so the latter always won me over. I would just have to deal with the body stiffening mattress for a few more months.

"Patrick!" my mom called from downstairs.
Great. She knew I hadn't clocked in yet. Now she was going to dock an hour off my paycheck. The sole reason I put up with this crap everyday was to make money, so I definitely did not need another cut.

I made a mental note to set yet another alarm to wake me, although, I must have had a trillion by now, each just minutes apart. I blinked for what seemed like over a hundred times to clear my vision and actually make and effort of staying awake. By the time I made it downstairs, decently dressed, it was half past noon.
"Patrick, we need you to watch the store. Your dad and I are going to be running errands all day. Be a sweetheart and clean up around here, will you?" my mom pinched my cheek, and I groaned in annoyance.

"I know you're tired but do this for us," she pleaded.
I sighed, "Fine but only if you pay me full time today."
She raised an eyebrow and put her hands on her hips. "But you didn't show up at 11."
"I know," I smiled sweetly.

After some time thinking to herself she finally agreed, knowing all too well the sooner I made enough cash the sooner I would be out of Chicago and out of their graying hairs.
"David, come on!"
My dad emerged from the back room holding a clipboard, "But I wasn't done taking inventory."
He pushed his double rim glasses up the bridge of his nose with his index finger.
My mom grabbed the board and handed it to me, "You'll finish the job, right hon?"

I rolled my eyes and mumbled a vague "maybe".
"If we're not back by evening go ahead and order something."
I nodded, a tad disappointed I most likely wouldn't be able to eat her cooking tonight. I was living on my own, obviously, but I barely knew how to fry an egg. Afraid I was going to burn down her store if I attempted to make anything that required a stove, she started bringing me left overs from their dinners every night even if it required a twenty minute drive from their house to here.

She kissed my forehead, "Lock the door right at 10 and don't go out with your friends tonight."
"Mom, I'll be okay. Trust me."
"I'm sorry. I know you hate it when I'm overprotective, but it's all these murders in the area that are making me paranoid. I'd rather you be cautious than end up dead. Your father and I don't want to you on the news like the dozens of others."

She gave me one last kiss and they were gone. Once I was in complete solitude I went over to our boombox and switched it on. My Television CD spun slowly, gradually becoming faster, and not even two seconds had passed when "See No Evil" began to play. I tossed the clipboard onto the front desk and slouched down on the bean bag nearby. I would take inventory later.

Large complex numbers always made my brain hurt, and currently I wasn't in the mood to put my mind through the torture. If only Joe and Andy were free today and not at work, exterminating vermin, I would have something to look forward to. They were the only fun in my life besides Elisa. Elisa. How could I have forgotten about her? I instantly made a dash to my cellphone that rested upon my nightstand, the nightstand being the only piece of furniture I owned that I wasn't appalled by.

"Hello?" her delicate voice filled my right ear.
"Hey. Are you busy?"
She let out a light giggle, "I'm never too busy for you. Why do you ask?"
I walked back downstairs to find a customer had come in and was observing the books on the window display.

"Just wondering because my parents are going to be gone all day. You should come over and we can hang out or whatever."
"Sure. Um...I'll be there in a bit."
She hung up and I walked over to the front desk, placing my butt on the stool.

The customer glanced up at me and asked, "Who were you talking to?"

"What's it to you?"
"Nothing at all," he replied, "I'm simply trying to make conversation."
I swallowed my spit and about a minute of silence passed between us before I spoke up.
"She's my best friend."
The nosy man turned away from the books to face me. He had shoulder-length brown hair and dark brown eyes.

His skin was as pale as paper, but perhaps he just never got enough sunlight and liked to travel on cloudy days such as today. He leaned on the desk casually.
"What's your name?" he questioned.
"Patrick. Yours?"
He flashed me a grin, and for a moment I thought I saw fangs, but being tired always made me imagine things.

"William. William Beckett. You intrigue me, Patrick. There's just something about you that I like."
His eyes darted to my neck, and then he looked back to me.
"Thanks?" I wasn't quite sure how to respond.
"Your welcome. May I ask how old you are?"

"18."
William's sharp fingernails scratched at his chin, and he smirked, "What's a teenager doing running a business all by himself?"
I shrugged, "It's a bookstore. Not really hard to manage but to answer your question my parents are out all day."
"So you're completely alone."

"Yes?"
William blindly grabbed a book off the display and placed it on the desk.
"I'll take this."
I scanned the bar code and gave the hardcover back to him.
"That'll be $15.36."
He put a twenty down, told me to keep the change and walked out only for Elisa to arrive right as he left.

"How ya doing, short stuff?" I greeted.
"Just fine, fedora man."
We gave each other a fist bump and took a seat on the couch in the back room.
"Who was that freak?" she scoffed.
"I dunno. He was pretty odd looking, though. How's school going?"

Elisa sighed, tossing her head back so that it rested on the cushion and she was staring up at the ceiling," "Horrible. Prom's coming up, and I don't have a fucking date."
"What happened to one boy you had a major crush on?"
"I still have a crush on him."
"Then ask him to be your date."

Her lips pressed into a thin line, "Patrick, it's not that easy. You don't know the dilemma of having a crush on someone who will never like you back. You got lucky with Allie."
"Ugh. Don't mention her."
Elisa lifted up her head.
"You know she got knocked up right after you graduated."
"Seriously?"

"Mhm. Good thing you never gave into her slutty ways. You could have been the father instead of that stoner she hooked up with."
"I can't imagine being a dad, though."
"Oh my gosh. You would be the best dad in the world, 'Trick!"
"But kids are such demons. They hide behind cute faces."

"So you wouldn't want kids one day?"
"Probably if I ever get married. Not anytime soon, though."
She nodded in agreement.
"Same. I'm still extremely immature. I wouldn't be able to handle a baby."
There was a rumble from outside accompanied by the sound of rain pelting onto the sidewalk.

"Shit. I've gotta go home and let in my dogs before they get wet."
Elisa jumped up from the couch and rushed to the front door.
"Do you need an umbrella?" I trailed right behind her.
"Nah. I'm good. I'll text you later. Oh and Patrick?"
"Yeah?"

"Be careful. You're like right in the heart of where all these weird homicides have been going on."
"Why is everyone so concerned about my well being? I'm not stupid. I can take care of myself."
"Because we care."
I watched her exit, curls bouncing and converse squeaking.

No one ever showed up when it was raining, so I locked the door, hearing that "Elevation" was now on. I swayed to the beat, tossing myself back onto the couch and drifting off the sleep.

A/N: I had an urge to write this but I should really update my other story. Also Patrick is beautiful.