~Aphrodite~
Junior Member
Am I the hunter, or the hunted?
Posts: 60
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Post by ~Aphrodite~ on Mar 8, 2006 2:56:21 GMT
When those last people leave I try to finish up the last paragraph before I look back up.
"No NO.....please stay sit with me....I'd love to visit. The two I've sent out should be gone for a few hours yet. I have time. I was just finishing up this last paragraph....I hate to start something I don't plan to finish."
I wink at him. His eyeballs nearly look as if they are going to pop out of his head and I smile at him.
"Its actually been along time since I've been out of the city. I've been hiding for so long. I'd really love the walk to. That is IF your sure? I promise your secret is safe with me."
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Bond
New Member
Posts: 47
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Post by Bond on Mar 8, 2006 4:18:53 GMT
*I smile at Aphrodite and push my glasses back up.. force of habit at this point..But I am starting to feel a bit more comfortable around her. Her winking at me doesn't help though.. I swear if I didn't know better I would think she was flirting with me.. no way a pretty girl like her would do that though.*
"I think I'll get myself a coffee and join you in that case."
*I walk back over to the counter and grab a tall cup. The regular Kona coffee is self-serve and sitting out so I pour myself a full cup... Thinking better of it, I go behind the counter and grab a tray and get two blueberry muffins from the bakery case. Its late and they'd get tossed anyway.. so its not like I'm stealing. besides.. I get to eat free when I work. Putting the coffee on the tray too I walk back over to Aphrodite.*
"I uh... thought you might like a muffin too. They're really good."
*Sitting back down I take a sip of my coffee and grab a muffin from the tray. I take a big bite and sigh.. kinda forgetting for a moment that I'm not alone. I look back at her and grab my cup and take a long swallow.*
"If you want, you could come back with me tonight. I've got plenty of room if you wanted to stay even. We could talk books all night."
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~Aphrodite~
Junior Member
Am I the hunter, or the hunted?
Posts: 60
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Post by ~Aphrodite~ on Mar 8, 2006 4:33:56 GMT
I sit there stunned that his reclusive nature can take such a dramatic turn within seconds. Then he gets up to return with my favorite blueberry muffins. Practically a delicasy that I never get to enjoy real food anymore. The blood cravings usually take over all the others, but when he places the muffin in front of my eyes and shoves his into his mouth I pick mine up and do the same. Still somewhat fresh, but tons better than food picked up out of the garbage cans.
As he asks me to stay the night I see things in a new light where Roger is concerned. He does have some self confidence...Its just been hidden under his handsome eyes. I blink a few times and swallow my bite of bagle then take a slow sip before I answer. I do not want to appear to eager to get to know him better.
"I'd really like that Roger. Its actually been a long time since I've spoken books to anyone. Most of my time is spent taking care of the others. Making sure no one goes hungry. I would certanily enjoy an evening away."
I get slightly embarrased and look to the table. I do not want him to think I'd just go home with anyone, but I've known Roger for years now....Its just that I've never REALLY gotten to know Rogers true self. I know the Reclusive one. Now anxious to see the underside of him...I pick my head back up not wanting to appear unexcited. I smile at him before I wink again.
"Thanks for the muffin, how did you know it was my favorite?"
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Bond
New Member
Posts: 47
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Post by Bond on Mar 8, 2006 14:54:59 GMT
*She winks at me again and I about come unhinged… I have to look away or I’d be lost… I really don’t know what to say to her. I mean.. she leads the others of our kind.. me.. I can barely lead myself. And she’s so pretty too. And smart… Books I have going for me but nobody ever seems to care… until now anyway. Still staring at the table I try to speak.*
“I didn’t. Its all we had left in the case… well there’s a few others but these are my favorites so I just grabbed ‘em. We can take the others when we leave. That’s what I usually do…. And pass them out to the homeless people where I live.
You can take them to your friends if you want. No one will mind if I miss a night. I’m sure your friends would enjoy them too.”
*I frown as I say this… I’ve already opened up to this girl more than I have anyone in a long time… I look up at her with my eyes pleading.*
“Look… please… don’t tell them about me. Ok? Some of them weren’t very kind to me… Its where I got my nickname, Bond. Just don’t tell them about me. … I dunno.. maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.”
*I look away upset at myself for opening up. She’ll remember me now for sure.. Bond.. the kid all the others loved to pick on… just ‘cause I looked different… just cause my parents sent me there… just cause they could…..
She never did though… but who knows…
I see on the clock that its five minutes until closing. I stand up and finish my last bit of muffin and drain my coffee.*
“I need to get the store closed up. You can stay if you want. And the offer still stands on the books.. but if you don’t wanna… I get it.”
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~Aphrodite~
Junior Member
Am I the hunter, or the hunted?
Posts: 60
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Post by ~Aphrodite~ on Mar 8, 2006 20:24:14 GMT
Watching his facial expression change back to reclusive so fast nearly shocks me back to reality. Then the genuine sincerity as he offers the rest of the bagels to the younger ones breaks my heart.
"The younger ones will be so excited about the bagels....I ummm... I can't pay for them, so Thanks.."
I look down slightly embarrassed. Some have had a really hard time getting used to the hunger pains. The blood will only satisfy one craving. The bagels will certainly give them a pick me upper.
"I'd never give away your secret Roger. I ummm....I stood up for you, you know.....a few times....I always thought you were just really smart and...your eyes....I always saw kindness in them even when the others were making fun. None of my folks will do that, you have my word....I um.....I liked you....although, you never spoke to me...I tried a few times to speak to you but the fathers just pulled you away....like you were their special chosen...I think thats why others made fun...they were just jealous of the attention you received..."
He stands up looking at the clock. It is almost time to close. I too put away the rest of my bagel and finish up my coffee and place the empty cup into he garbage. I stand up placing my stuff on the table.
"If you wanna lock up I'll help you finish up so we can go see about those books...I'd um....I'd love to help, and I'd still love to go with...."
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Bond
New Member
Posts: 47
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Post by Bond on Mar 8, 2006 20:57:17 GMT
*I blush a bright red as she speaks so kindly to me… No one has ever done that… not even my mom… all I ever heard was… ‘at least he’s not an idiot’…… She even noticed my eyes… every one from the facilities knows I have no need of my glasses… they’re just a part of me like a mask.. no one ever asked about them though. Aphrodite doesn’t now either… she knows… she knows…
I feel like such a baby.. hiding behind them. I crinkle my nose a bit self-conscious about them now and push them up….they’re as much a part of me as anything.
I have to turn away when she talks about ‘the fathers’ I don’t look at them that way.. I know what they did to me… No one should be chosen like I was… Not even the ones who beat me up every day for it. I don’t think I will ever be comfortable talking to anyone about my experience there.*
“I’d appreciate the help.. but you really don’t have to.. I just need to dump the coffee pots, lock up the till, empty the trash, and clean out the bakery cabinet. If you wanna take care of the bagles and muffins that would be great… the bags are behind the counter.”
*I point to the spot and start to gather up the trash bags… I look back over my shoulder as Aphrodite starts on the muffins. I smile.. maybe I do have a friend…. That would be a change….. I trust her so I take the trash bags out the back while she’s still there… I throw the bags into the dumpster and go back behind the counter… I have to squeeze past her…
I breath deep and hold it as I go by.. she smells wonderful… and she’s so pretty too… I blush and smile and let it out…. Who am I kidding? A guy can dream though right? The pots are quickly dumped and left in the sink upside down… I pop the lock on the register and pull the till. It goes in the safe in the backroom….
Once that’s all done I return back to the shopfront. Aphrodite is just finishing up the treats… There’s almost a dozen leftovers from the day… Her friends will like that. I don’t know that they will ever be my friends.. but.. I like her.*
“Ready to go, if you are... “
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~Aphrodite~
Junior Member
Am I the hunter, or the hunted?
Posts: 60
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Post by ~Aphrodite~ on Mar 8, 2006 22:53:51 GMT
I fixed up the bagels with a smile on my face knowing how excited the others will be once they see them. I wipe up the crumbs and throw them into the bag just as he squeezes behind me. My heart leaps at him being so close, I know he can feel it. We can always feel a change in body temp.. I take a deep breath and release it. Getting my pulse under control is hard when hes around. He leaves caring the register to the back. I'm more book smart. I'd never figure out how to work that register. I laugh a little bit. As he returns, I think I see a hint of a smile playing at his lips. I follow him around the counter.
"I would have been glad to help you more. I've never seen the workings of a register like that....I'm not really good with all the electronic things these days.....Ask me book smart stuffs and you got yourself a winner, but I couldn't even tell you how to turn on a TV these days.....We.....Umm...We live pretty cheap. Just barely scrape by....We don't even have a TV to turn on...."
He opens the door and I walk out. Then he locks it closed behind me. A funny long key it is. Interesting. I don't think any guy has ever opened a door for me. I turn my head so that he doesn't see me blush. I look at the street, its not that busy....but the steady stream of folks getting off work never ends in Cosmo.
"Yeah, I'm ready...Lead the way."
I turn back to him and offer a friendly smile. Jacket on, Book in the inside pocket. I tap my pocket jut to make sure its still there. Whats left of my cold Cap in the other hand along with the bagles... I follow Roger down the allyway through street after street...
To Bonds Apt.
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