Trustworthy help

2. Lost

Annoyed I step into the store. I went through all that trouble yesterday, to forget the one thing I really needed. 'Fucking idiot.' I grumble to myself as I pull up my mask. With the virus it's better, though I thought that there wouldn't be many people at night yesterday. I make my way to the right isle and look around. I look at the top shelf. 'Why there.' I grumble as I reach for the spaghetti. What idiot places something like that on the top shelf. I stand on my tippy toes but still can't reach it. Giving it one last try I reach again, but a hand grabs a package. I look next to me 'oh thank you.' I say. I take it from the person who's holding it out. 'No problem.' I immediately look up at the voice. 'You.' I say. 'Me?' The guy says. I lower my mask 'oh! You.' He says. I chuckle as he laughs a little. 'Helping me again, huh?' I say as I hold up the package of spaghetti. 'Seems so. Looked like you were struggling.' I feel my face heat up a little 'it looked that bad?' I ask. 'Not really. You forgot that yesterday?' I nod. So I owe him twice now, huh. 'Well glad I could help.' He says as he turns around to walk off again 'wait.' He turns back to me 'thank you. You helped me out twice. I owe you.' I say. 'You don't. Just good to see you out during the day instead of night.' I chuckle 'Yes I guess so.' I say. 'Have a nice day.' He says with a wave before walking off. I sigh and move hair out of my face. He's really nice.

————x————

Two weeks later.

I check if the door is locked before closing the curtain. The sun is setting so I may as well do it. When I turn around I'm confronted with Leo holding his own leash between his teeth.

I sigh, right.

'Okay, come on buddy. I don't want to be out in the dark.' I say as I take the leash and head out. When I step out I notice a slight drizzle. Just my luck. I watch the orange sky as I make my way to the park, Leo happily wagging his tail. Just quickly. Be back before it's completely dark. In the park Leo sees something and stops, ears up slightly and sniffing the air. 'Come on bud, I don't want to be out too long.' I say as I try to pull him along.

He goes on but after a bit growls a little. He's never done that. Leo is a golden retriever, kind by nature. Yet he spotted something. 'Come on Leo, your scaring me.' I say as I try to pull him along again. He doesn't react 'I mean-' I yell as I fling back, Leo having pulled so hard on the leash that I have let go and fallen over. I look around but he's already out of sight.

'The hell.' I say annoyed.
He never acts like this. 'Leo!' I yell as I'm back up on my feet. I see the sun disappearing, making me scared. 'Leo! Where are you buddy?!' No reaction. I walk over to the bushes he's disappeared in, but there's nothing. Fear starts to raise in me. 'Leo! Please come out!' I yell again, the desperation clear in my voice. I clutch my sleeve in my hand out of a nervous habit as tears swell up in my eyes. Loosing my dog and being in the park in the dark is taking over my mind. 'Leo! Come here!' I take a deep breath trying to calm my nerves.

'Le-' I immediately go quiet when I hear something behind me. I walk closer, hoping it's my dog. 'Leo? Come here buddy.' I say. I hear what sounds like a footstep so I back off a little. 'Leo please!' I basically cry out. There's is more rustling before a man steps from behind the bushes. 'Finally.' The man says.
I hear barking behind me as I back away from the man. It's the same man from before. The barking continues as I back up to the sound of my dog. 'Who the hell are you?!' I can't see the man's face. He's wearing a hoodie and a mask.

I reach out behind me to try and find Leo while facing the man, but my hand gets grabbed and I get led back a little. I'm about to panic when I hear the now familiar voice. 'Get the fuck back.' The guy that helped me twice now steps in front of me, holding Leo back on his leash while he barks at the man.

'I'll let the dog go. Have a fun time trying to run from him.' The guy says as he moves down to undo Leo's leash but the man turns around and walks off.

I cover my mouth with my hands as I let out a shaky breath while closing my eyes tightly. 'Hey, are you okay?' The guy asks as he holds both my arms. I nod, sniffling. 'Y-yeah. Though I-I.... I could have been....' Leo boops his nose against my leg. I sniffle again and kneel down, petting my dog before hugging him

damn bastard. Don't run from me again.' I say.

'He probably ran from you because he noticed the man was around. To protect you, you know.' The guy says.

Could it be that Leo saw the man around earlier. Maybe that's what he went after. I sigh and put my hand against my forehead as I watch the guy scratch Leo behind his ear. 'Thank you. Thank you so much.' I say as I finally feel a bit of relief. The guy hands Leo's leash over before petting him once more. It's completely dark by now. 'I'll walk you two back.' He says. I sigh, feeling embarrassed that he had to help me again. And I'm thankful. Very thankful for him saving me probably twice from the weird man by now. We walk side by side down the sidewalk to my apartment complex. 'If it weren't for you I could have been.... god.' The guy look down at me before looking back up 'but nothing happened. You're dog is back, and you're save. Though I thought you would have learned that being out after dark is bad.' I look to the side, embarrassed 'I know, I just needed to walk him before it got way to dark.' I say. 'It's okay.'

We arrive at my door and I unlock it before letting Leo in. 'Thank you, I wouldn't know what I'd do without you.' I say with a laugh. 'It's okay, really.' I sigh before looking up at him 'I mean it though. If there's anything I can do for you, let me know.' He thinks for a little while before holding out his hand. I look up at him 'what do you want?' I ask confused. 'Give me your phone for a second.' He says. I take out my phone, unlock it, and lay it in his hand. He does something before handing it back over 'if you ever need help again. Or just want to go outside after dark, text me.' I look down to see his phone number with the contact name being 'c' . 'Okay. Thank you for you help.' I say again.

I head into my apartment as he waits to leave until I close the door.

One heck of an evening again.