Ch. 5 "Problem"

I kept my head down and my hood up while I was walking to work. Chase followed a few steps behind me. His presence felt somewhat comforting. It was like having a shadow. I saw the first few raindrops wet the pavement in front of me. It quickly turned into a proper downpour. My already soaked shoes had made my socks wet and my feet burned. How much longer can I live like this, really?

I turned to look back at him. Now that I know he isn't here to abduct me, eat me, take my soul, sell my organs on the black market.... Everything I considered as an ulterior motive that was proven wrong so far might just be in my head. I might actually start warming up to him. He isn't a bad guy, per say. Confused, yes. Delusional? Highly probable. He met my eyes and smiled so wide that his teeth gleamed, even in the dim light from the overcast sky and rising sun. He kept his hands in the pockets of the hoodie I lent him. Funnily enough, the same shade as his eyes... Those eyes that somehow have the power to hold me against my will. He made his teeth not pointy. Are the pointy teeth his natural, resting state? I wondered if he was going to continue to morph as he learned more and more about humans. I still had so many questions. He saw my contemplative look.

"Is something on your mind?", he asked, somewhat playfully, somewhat serious.

"Or are you just thinking about earlier, in bed...?", he trailed off, and his tongue touched his upper lip along with his index finger. I stopped dead in my tracks. I felt my face turn bright red, yet again. I looked down at the ground and pulled my hood tighter around my face.

"HEY! Don't talk about that! Ugh, you're so embarrassing!", I whined. I reached out to swipe at his arm but he moved too fast for me to make contact. He now stood a good two steps ahead of me, walking backwards. He pulled down his lower eyelid and stuck his tongue out at me. He really knows how to get under my skin, but not how to earn my trust? What an idiot.

"We take a left up here", I pointed at the crosswalk we met at last night. Emotions came surging back into my chest. I didn't find him dangerous earlier last night, while he looked like a middle aged man... is it a habit of his to change his appearance to suit his needs?

"Hey... what made you talk to me and even follow me last night? Why were you so interested in me?", I asked sheepishly. I refused to meet his eyes, so I turned to face the street. I just kept pressing the walk button awkwardly. He tilted his head and scratched at his neck.

"I dunno... There was just something about the way you looked so sad, I just knew how you felt. I figured I might be able to help you, you know", he said, his eyes burning holes in the back of my head. All I could muster was a nod. I looked up just as the walk signal came up. I turned around and grabbed his hand out of his pocket. Since we're in this together, I might as well try to be his friend and teach him some manners. Despite him being horrendously embarrassing, not to mention dense, I guess I could help him too by being a good example of a friend. He smiled and giggled and I could have sworn out of the corner of my eye I saw a blush cross his cheeks too.

. . . . . . . .

As we approached the front doors of my work, I let go of his hand. Shoot, I didn't think of anything for him to do while I was in here most of the day. He saw my frustration.

"What's happening in there?", he asked, knocking on my head like it was a door. I shooed his hand away. I guess I could take my paycheck first thing when I get inside and have him do grocery shopping. Or run my whole list of errands that I haven't been able to do this last week because of my crazy work schedule if he gets exceptionally bored.

"How much do you know about the human world?", I asked bluntly. I met his eyes for the first time since earlier. I'm always so shocked by the color that I get a little caught up in the moment.

"Well, I've... been around a while enough to know how to fit in. Why?", he said, removing his hood. The sky was the same color as his hair.

"Well, I didn't plan this super well. I don't have anything for you to do for the next eight hours or so...", I trailed off. He seemed to understand what I was saying.

"I was thinking about giving you my paycheck. I need groceries bad, now that there's going to be two of us at the apartment for god knows how long. You can't live off as little food as I do, I'd assume", I stated. He tilted his head, grabbing at his neck again.

"I don't need your money. I do have my own, you know", he said slightly annoyed. How was I supposed to know that or even expect that of him? Now I was slightly annoyed, but it quickly dissapeared.

"Just write me a list of things that you need, I suppose", he said as a smile returned to his lips. I set my backpack down on the bench in front of our main window. I rummaged around until i found my notebook and a pen. The paper was damp, but I didn't have another option. As quickly as I could, I jotted down items that were only a necessity.

"Well, when you're done, here's the keys. Drop off the stuff and come back. I'll get your lunch and a drink", I offered. He smiled again, ear to ear. He was honestly attractive, but how did I know this was his true form? I didn't even know who or what he was. A question for another time. I waved as I saw him off. I turned back to the front doors, and entered.

. . . . . . . .

Chase returned, just like I had hoped, my keychain and lanyard popping out of his pocket and blowing in the breeze. But my heart weighed more than the weight of my tired feet. He approached me while I was sitting against the side wall. The rain hadn't let up since he left a couple hours earlier. I laid my head back against the cold, damp brick and let the rain caress my face. I tucked my knees closer to my chest and I watched him approach.

"Are you on break already? What are we having for this very early lunch?", he asked innocently enough, skipping towards me. His smile faded as he saw tears run down my cheeks with the rain. His expression went from bubbly to gloomy.

"Oh no.... what happened?", he asked. He squatted down next to me. He laid his head on his shoulder and extended his arm towards me and touched the back of my hand with his fingertips. I let a few more tears fall before I answered.

"We have a problem", I said, while my voice was steadily breaking.