Page 109 of Overcast

He’s been quiet today.No stupid comments or looks my way since he told me two days ago that nothing was off the table.

But it is, getting back into the city and back home isn’t on the agenda of things he’s going to let me do or have right now.

This morning he announced that we were going to Walmart after taking a quick peek at my leg and side, which at this point is unproductive because each time he tells me that everything looks great.

My breakfast was waiting for me at my door like it has been since the night he brought me to his home as well as a glass of water and a few aspirin at night in case I need it.

When he hears me bustling around upstairs, he came up to clean my wound then told me to be ready in ten.

Now he’s telling me to lead the way and pick out whatever I want. When I glance back at him, nervously contemplating whether to grab someone’s arm and ask them to call 911, he’s stopped at the end of an aisle, trying on baseball caps.

My brows furrow in on him. His royal blue shirt fits his broad shoulders perfectly and leaves little to the imagination what the rest of his body looks like. The dark jeans give the same illusion as he adjusts the cap and looks at himself in the mirror.

He was serious when he said he’d let me shop as long as I didn’t cause a scene?

An elderly woman slowly approaches me in her grocery cart, giving me a kind grin as she passes. My immediate reaction is to halt her shopping trip and solicit her help.

I should’ve pre-written a note to pass out to people with explicit instructions on my situation.

An idea that is way past expired.

I return her smile, touching the closest clothes’ rack and forcing myself to just get what we came here for and leave. Hollering and sprinting away will only get someone hurt. If I gain his trust, I can plan an exit.

Grabbing a few plain tees, some leggings, and a pair of jeans, I locate him again yards away, leaning up against a pole and staring at something.

My attention follows, landing on a brunette with curves in all the right places, shorts that show off lean legs, and a perfect waist.

She not-so nonchalantly peers over her shoulder at him, picking up a red apple amongst the fruit bin and sends him a flirty smirk.

Stupid.

“Is it okay if I try these jeans on?” He glances over at me, casually giving me the first once over all day when his eyes land on the items in my hands.

“That’s all you want?”

My brows descend. “I’m not staying with you forever.” His brow lifts before I relax mine. “It won’t take that long, will it?”

He slowly shakes his head, lips still straight-lined. “No, go ahead. I’ll be right here...nearby.”

Right, drooling over the Victoria’s Secret model. Good luck, girl.

Picking the first available dressing room, I lock it and begin trying on my picked out clothes.

After trying on the shirts, which are a little big on me, it’s when I get to the jeans and leggings that I frown in the mirror at myself.

I’ve lost weight, and I look sickly. My skin is almost translucent, my cheekbones protrude from my face and my eyes...their pinkish-red around my blue irises. I know I’m tired, but I just look like I built a pyramid by myself. I don’t know where my thighs are, they’re like rails, my soft curves are gone and—I groan.

I look like shit.

No wonder he’s eye-screwing the brunette outside, I look like I snort coke or shove my fingers down my throat.

She’s pretty, perky and healthy.

Getting out of my leggings, I put Emric’s sweatpants back on to grab a smaller size and swing open the door, which issues out am “oompf” from the other side of it.

“Oh my gosh—” I whip the door back to find a tall man around my age, rubbing his forehead. “—I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to hit you.”

His brown eyes meet mine, and he gives me a weak smile. “It’s okay. It’s only the second time this week, should’ve known better.” My eyes broaden, and his smile grows, extending his hands. “I’m just kidding. But, for real, it’s like a dangerous alley, I should’ve watched where I was going.”

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