Page 10 of Siccitas

Chapter Six

Idecide to go to thehardware store in the middle of town.

As much as walking for too long takes a toll on me, I have to be able to fix that damn door I destroyed in Dalton’s home before he notices. I should have enough money left over to take a bus back to his street when I’m done, so long as I’m careful enough with how much I spend.

Granted, I took money from him and plan on repaying that with Luke’s blood, but I don’t think even the life of a monster will pay for much.

As I tread slowly down the street, I find myself smiling.

It seems that I’ve forgotten how nice it is going for a walk, looking for something other thanhim.

The shops in the strip mall are bustling with people. Little children begging their mothers for quarters to ride the pony machines, while indifferent fathers holding their wives’ purses, more than likely wondering when they’ll be able to take their families home.

Simple, normal family lives.

Something I’ve come to envy since I was a teenager.

But today is not a day for thoughts of things I never got to do or change. It’s a day for fixing the damn door that I busted down just so I could satisfy my curiosity of why it was boarded up to begin with.

After a few more little intertwined sidewalks, I see a sign-up head.

Homeday.

The pallets of hanging plants and flowers to the far right tell me that this is more than likely where I’ll find my fare.

I continue walking until I reach the front of the store, entering through two large glass sliding double doors.

This place is a hell of a lot bigger on the inside than it looks from the out.

It smells of plants and flowers, of wood and sweat, and all the wonderful things that make a home.

An honest home, not the kind that I grew up in.

Glancing around, I see a row of carts and go grab one. After I set my cane inside the carriage, I look up at the aisle signs until I find the one that I need.

Before I have a chance to start guiding the cart in that direction, someone familiar stops me.

“Need some help?”

---