Beep Beep Beep! Blared the dreaded sound of Astrids phone alarm. The forementioned blond huffed as her hand slammed on the device. Dragging the phone off of her nightstand, before it dropped to the floor. Yet another sighed left her lips, burying her face into the pillow. Letting out a muffled scream, before pushing herself up. “How the fuck is it six already!?!” Her yell of sleepless rage being met with banging sound above her. Her upstairs neighbor Mrs. Lempkie was a quiet woman but preferred everyone to be the same. The younger smashing her face back in the pillow. The sudden noise and motion caught the attention of Mr. Whiskers. The Black and white tabby hopped on the creaky queen bed. His small amount of weight pushed into the bed with a small indent. Moving up to his mother and brushing against her head which was still deep in the pillow. Rotating her head to face the feline, she gave a small smirk.
“Morning Fluff ball.” being quickly replied to by a raspy meow. A new small burst of energy entered her small body. Rolling over and sitting up on the edge of the bed. She leaned over picking up the screaming phone. Hitting the off button, the alarm was replaced with the text icon. Her phone was filled up with messages from the horde of friends and family checking up on her. Several from Dad, few from mom, and an ungodly amount from Jan. Even though she had seen such a sight as Brandon’s blood covered corpse. The hard headed friend wasn’t going to let that keep her from being the big sis she was. Deciding to just ignore it Astrid got to her feet, and started toward the kitchen. If she was even going to think about getting through her shift today. That dark brewed life blood known as Coffee was needed for sure.
Leaning against the counter as the dark liquid began bubbling to life. Her Eyes focused out the window, at the darkened purple of the sky. The increasing more visible outlines of the clouds that filled it, slowly moved by. Her mind drifted between the cloud, to sleepily nothingness, only to finally landing on... him. Atrid’s head shook, wanting to ram her face into the counter. Before the thought move to action, the pot dinged.
“Get it together girl! He was just some fucking weirdo.... but what would that make me?” Her favorite action of today, being a sighing. Once again was made, as she grabbed a cup and poured her morning joe. Taking a seat at her table, she finally decided to look over all her text. All of it was the same thing over and over again. Almost like it was all just one person, typing away at several phones. She was too tired to worry, or in fact to even care to reply. Right now the blond needed one thing and only one thing. A hot Shower and to be left the fuck alone.
Only truly having a handful of time being need to get out. Making the washing of the previous night’s happenings quickly. She carefully exited the shower, drying off her shoulder length hair with a pink floral towel. Getting up to the fog covered mirror, her hand wiped away a streak. Revealing the bags that over took her eyes.
“Damn you Michael … couldn’t just take my kill but also my sleep? I swear if I see that stupid handsome .... I mean freakish smile again. I’m going to knock it right off your face and feed it to a group of dogs.” her fist shook in the air, before being brought down on the sink. A yelp echoed through the percaline room of bathing. Holding the now hurt hand close and between her chest. Taken a big breath to calm herself, Astrid finished drying off. Getting changed quickly into a simple sweater, jeans, and flats. Definingly screamed and gave away the fact she worked at a book store. Then out the door she went, coffee in hand, and a want to get this day over with. Making sure to give a slight head nod at Mrs. Lempkie as a lazy way of apologizing for earlier.
Having taking the same route to work every day, not much thought was needed to put into her trip. Giving enough attention to her actions to not get hit by a car. Though not enough to notice the figure following close from behind. Making every turn she was making, and keeping the same distance as when they started the pursuit. Nearing closer and closer to the store, the stranger got closer themselves to their target. Atrid’s arm reached out for the handle, almost mirrored by the now out stretched hand behind her. Final realizing the presence that crept ever so closer, she spun on her heel. The hand bag raised, ready to strike. Quickly being caught but a gruff callus covered hand.
“Wow Easy there Ms. Von Rose, I do apologize for the startle.” The mystery man’s hand released her purse, and slowly reached into his jacket pocket. Pulling out his badge of the city police detective. “Names Detective Scottson, and I've been assigned to keep an eye on you till we can catch the perp from last night. I'll be straight as a six shooter with ya. I’ve been after this SOB for months now, and he is a pretty sick bastard. You’re lucky to have gotten out of that one by the skin of ya teeth.” The Detective paused waiting to hear from the victim before him. Only met with silence and look of uncertainty from Astrid. He looked away rubbing the back of his head, clearing his throat. “Anyways didn’t mean to spook ya, and just wanted to introduce myself. I won’t butt into your life too much, just check in and give ya updates.” With that be gave a small nod and made his way down the street.
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“Great another man trying to do what's best for me.” A huff and a push of the door, which was met with resistance. Followed by a squeak and loud crash of books. A women laid on the floor of the shop covered in said pieces of reading material. A soft wine muffled out, met by Astrid gasping dropping to her knees. “Shit! Nikki what have I told you about carrying too much at once.”
“Sorry Miss Astrid, I wanted to try and get everything together before you arrived. I heard about what happened and I wanted to do what I could. Though as per the usual it looks like I only made more of a mess.” Helping Nikki to her feet, then grabbing what books she could. Astrid placed them onto a nearby table. The other women helped as well with a saddened sigh. “Sorry again, I’ll try and be more careful going forward.” putting on a warm smile, the shop’s owner shook her head.
“Really, it’s okay I promise. Let's just hurry and get everything ready for the day.” A soft smile and determined nod was responded with. Together the small book story was opened and had already drawn in its normal crowd. The neighborhood old women looking at which cheesy romance novel they wanted to add to their personal library at home. Then the random men looking to find themselves a Nerdy book worm they could try and impress with their basic knowledge of writing. Amongst the daily commotion of the work day, the front door bell gave its little ding. “Nikki can you check who just came in?” instead of the “yes boss” Astrid had hoped for, she was instead met with another crash. Not even wanting to see what might been broken or scattered, she made her way out. “Sorry for the wait how...can.... I” A pit was quick to form in her stomach as she looked at un-wantingly familiar face.
“Morning Mon Cher~” adjusting his glasses with a wide almost giddy smile. Michael slowly approached his dancing partner from last night. Astrid did not move from her spot, and stared down the man. Was he here to harm her? Or maybe he was going to simply just not remember her. Either way She needed to make sure this guy didn’t harm Nikki. She actually liked her fairly new employee and didn’t want to go through all that interviewing process again. Looking behind her then back to the new arrival to the store. Now standing almost directly in front of her, Astrid jumped slightly.
“C-can I help you sir?” deciding to just play stupid, she faked a smile and tilted her head. His eye stared into her before looking away. Slowly walking towards a stack of books nearby, he picked one up. It was the newest book from a fairly newer writer. The name escaped her as she wasn’t a big fan of the genre. Just never been a sucker for those suspense Romance kinds of books.
“Sorry to bother you Miss, I've just never noticed this shop before. I’m always interested in seeing how well my work does in these smaller shops.” Confusion hit her like a title wave, then realization even harder. Any words forming on her lips being cut off but a gasp.
“Oh my god! You’re Michael Maplewood!” Nikki pushed past her boss, standing next to the supposal author. Giving a smile and nod to the women before him. “I loved “Partners in love and crime”! I’m actually surprised you didn’t continue with a sequel. I wanted to see what happened to Jim and Tammy after the shoot so bad.”
“I get that a lot and I will go back to the young lovers on the run eventually. But inspiration just hit me and I couldn’t let it slip away.” Opening the book and taking out a pen. Michael quickly gave it his John Handcock, and handed to Nikki. “For being such devoted fan take this as my token of appreciation.” Nikki’s eyes lit up, rushing to the back. Something about telling her sister escaped her mouth. Leaving the two from before alone once more. Astrid still unsure if Michael knew it was her or not. “Seems like a nice girl, yet seems a bit energic from past employees of yours”
“Thought you said you’ve never seen this place before.” She had the fucker now! No getting out of this one for sure. He had to end this bull now, and confess.
“Oh, that’s right! Forgetting my own lie.” he chuckled which was met with a really bitch? Look from the shorter female. “Guess just nothing gets past you Astrid my dear. Guess I just wanted to see if you actually remember me. Your look was precious, and I got greedy wanting more~”. A very unwanted blush of embarrassment crossed her face. This asshole was just teasing her now! What kind of fucked game was he playing now?
“What do you want Michael? If you’re here to kill me, then get it over with. Fair warning there’s a detective probably watching us right now. Your ass will be in jail before you could even call me dear again.” he smiled and took another book writing down in it as well. Moving back to in front of her, Michael placed the copy of his work down. Astrids eyes left his to look at it reading the cover. “Your Love will be the Death of Me” her blue orbs meeting his green ones once more with a raised eye brow. With not another word, Michael smiled and bowed. Turning around, and leaving the store just as quickly as he showed up. The confusion from before settled back in, being replaced by wondering. Looking back at the book she opened the front cover. Written on the inside was an address and a small message that read. “Dinner Friday 7pm.” Her blush returned, slamming the cover close. “Michael, I swear to God if this is some sort of trap... ill for sure be the death of you.” The frustration in her voice dripped like venom from her lips. Leaving the book store owner how she started the day. Tired and ready for this day to be fucking over.