Page 14 of Siccitas

TheGood LifePharmacy a few buildings away is where I took my refuge for the time being.

I watch as people walk in and out of the hardware store, waiting untilheshows up and disappears, and unless I’ve missed it, there’s been no sign of him so far.

Of course, that changes the moment the thought crosses my mind.

There you are, you bastard,I think evenly.

Luke walks out of the store, the tubing tucked under his right arm as he slips his change into the wallet in his hands. I always wondered how it was that he had so much money, but as a child, I knew better than to ask.

As it turned out, his mother had a substantial nest egg from his father. He left her his pension when he died, and she never told her darling son.

They lived like derelicts because Taylee’s mind had been broken long before he came along.

So, in a way, he had always been alone, more than likely looking for the love he never experienced as a child besides the kind his mother forced on him.

And he chose to do the same thing to us. Why he didn’t think it would be a good idea to break the cycle is beyond me, but I guess none of this is really his fault.

Careful. You’re starting to think dangerously.

Once he’s got his wallet secure in the back of his pants, he looks up and down the sidewalk before he turns left and eventually disappears from sight.

Where do monsters go when the sun is shining so brightly?I find myself wondering.

I purse my lips and continue watching the people walking in and out of the store, until I finally see Von emerge.

Heading out of the pharmacy, I walk across the way, waving a hand at him. He grins when he sees me, perking up slightly, and waits patiently.

“Are you okay? You ran off like something was chasing you,” he says curiously when I stop in front of the cart.

“No, no. Nothing like that. I just needed some fresh air,” I lie dismissively.

He nods in understanding before he smacks the handle of the carriage. “I got the pieces sectioned for you here, so you don’t have to worry about coming back to my place.”

I smile at him.

Despite the overwhelming anger I feel right now, I smile.

“Thank you, Von.”

“No problem,” he replies, his cheeks turning slightly pink.

Huh.

“Um... are you... uh... okay to install—”

Ah. I get it now.

“Actually, I could use some help. I don’t have much to offer in the way of payment for it, though.”

He gives me a grin as he takes the boards out of the carriage, then jerks his head for me to follow him.

Strangers aren’t dangerous.

Family is.

I’ll be safe with him,I reassure myself as I follow him toward his vehicle.

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