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Day 3 out of Hospital

"Hey, we've got a customer, Ingrid." Leslie's voice broke through my mind, and I jolted, caught off guard.

She looked at me worried, "Are you alright?"

I nod, "Yeah. You said we had a customer?"

She pointed toward the back of the store, "He went to the back. Be the good owner of the store and see if he needs anything. I'll ring up Mr. Walsh."

I knew what she was doing. She had seen me freeze and retreat to my mind, but she seemed more eager than usual for me to help a random man. I hadn't even noticed the man standing at the register. As I made my way towards the back, I wiped at my glasses; smudges were not on the lens. The air was chillier to the end and I rubbed my hands together searching down the aisles for the man she mentioned, but I couldn't find him.

"Hey-,"

I jumped and spun around my hands coming up in defense at the deep voice that came out of nowhere.

"Oh my god! Don't sneak up on me." I gasped looking at the man.

"Sorry, I had thought you heard me."

"If I had I wouldn't be scared right now."

"Right. Sorry about that. Where's your pancake mix?"

I looked at him, really looked at him. Tall, tan, long dark brown hair, dark facial hair, a very laid back sense of style and hazel eyes that had way more vibrant gold in them than I've ever seen. He was just looking at me, and I realized he honestly didn't know where the pancakes mix was.

"Well, you're in the first aid section. The breakfast aisle is towards the front of the store. There are signs."

He kept looking at me with a slight smile, and I became uncomfortable under his gaze.

"Thanks." He finally said.

I nod, "It's why I'm here. I hope you find what you're looking for, have a nice day."

Being polite I offered a smile and turned around, quickly walking away, and as I did, I could have sworn he spoke.

"I already have."

* * *

George ran ahead of me towards the pier, and I quickly chased after him, snatching him up. He was annoyed to be caught before he reached his destination, but he snuggled into my arms huffing.

"Oh no, you don't. I just got you!"

He just huffed and turned his head to look at the pier. Wavy blonde hair blew in the slight breeze.

"Cute dog."

I glanced to my left to see the man from the store. He was walking on the other side of the street. His dark hair was pulled up into a messy bun, and for the first time, I noticed his elaborate neck tattoos. My eyes trailed down his body taking in his light sweater with the sleeves rolled up and more tattoos on his arms.

"Thanks. His name is George. Did those hurt?" I asked nodding at his arms.

"Not as much as the ones on my hips." He said. His eyes didn't stray from my face, didn't take in my frazzled hair, crooked glasses, the oil stains from my pasta on the front of my sweater or my thick socks in my slides. He just kept his gaze on my face, and I shifted slightly aware of how weird it is for a stranger to look you in the eye.

It was almost too intimate.

"They're everywhere?"

"Yep. Well," He cocked his head, smirking in an almost familiar way, "except below the belt."

Automatically my eyes dropped to see if he was wearing a belt. Embarrassed I took in his dark jeans and boots and looked back at him. That's such an odd thing to tell a stranger.

"Oh...that's cool I guess."

"You don't like tattoos?"

"No."

He frowned, an odd emotion crossing his face before he smiled at me, "Well, I'll let you get back to your walk. He looks a bit annoyed."

I glanced down at George who was starting to move in my grasp, "He's always like that, but I should head home. Have a nice day."

Later that night before bed I went to the kitchen to set the coffee to start at 7:30 so it was ready for me before I woke up and as I shut off the light to the kitchen and called for George, the pressure of a headache pulsed behind my left eye.

"Let's go."

He ran past me, his collar jingling as he did.

"Slow down, Geo-,"

My words caught in my throat as the pulsing intensified and white splashed across my vision. I reached out for anything to stabilize my wobbly legs. My fingers clenched around the railing and I lowered myself to the steps, my head going between my legs.

Images of a tanned torso littered with intricate dark tattoos flashed before me, above me. A laugh. My laugh. Hands on my face that turn my gaze towards the man. Vibrant hazel eyes were all I saw before my entire vision went black and my body shut off slumping forward.

* * *
Things will start to pick up soon.
'Till next time ✌🏼