• • •

"Are you going to tell me who that man is?" I demanded the first moment I saw Leslie at work the next day.

She looked over at me, confused, "What man?" Leslie continued to stock the cereal a slight smirk on her lips.

"What man? The one you sent me to help yesterday. I saw him while I was walking my dog yesterday and then again in a weird headache memory thing." I quipped.

This got her attention, and she shelved her last box and set her eyes upon me, "Like a vision?"

"I guess...it wasn't much. Everything flashed so quickly. I do know he's very comfortable speaking to a total stranger."

"What do you mean?"

"His tattoos don't go below his hips. They aren't full body tattoos. I, for one, don't understand why he decided to get such a large tattoo that's hard to cover for jobs."

"Leslie, you only say that because your mother had that opinion. It didn't bother you before. You know I thought they covered his legs too, but now that I picture it, it doesn't even look right."

"What did you say?"

Leslie cocked her head at me then as she realized what she said her eyes grew wide and she tried to stammer out an excuse.

"I know this man. These "visions" are memories. Aren't they, Leslie?"

She sighed, "Yes, you're starting to remember. I'm not supposed to help you. This is all you. I've said too much."

She awkwardly looked between me and her empty stocking cart, her eyes quick and full.
I sighed and stepped to the side allowing her to push the cart past me and away from the conversation.

• • •

Eventually, I was able to concentrate on work and the day began to speed up after three though things got weird.

A loud bang that sounded like metal shelves hitting the hard tiled floor sounded at the front of the store, and my head shot up.

"What the hell?" I scrambled to my feet and threw open the door that led to the front, and I came skidding to a halt at sight.

The store was a mess; every shelve was knocked over. All of our merchandise was strewn on the floor, many things crushed like someone stomped on them. Panic filled my veins, and I quickly looked about the room.

A woman was standing in the corner closest to the door.

"Hey! Did you do this? I'm calling the cops." I told her as I moved to the phone at the front.

I kept my eye on her as I picked up the receiver to ensure she was still lurking in the corner. I placed it to my ear and dialed 911. A feeling of a breath ghosting over my cheek made me turn, and the woman was in front of me glaring. Her blue eyes were bloodshot, and her skin was dry and cracking, bruises covered the majority of her skin, and I gasped when her hand shot out grasping my jaw. She leaned in closer, and a dark, dry tendril fell from under her hood.

I could hear the voice of the 911 operator asking if anyone was there. I dearly hoped they'd send a squad car anyways. The woman before smirked and snatched the phone away slamming it down.

Her lips twitched open, and she began to speak, "Tell Arthur that Mera didn't do as well of a job as he thought. Tell him I'm back."

My eyes bugged at the information, and she tightened her grip on me. Who was she?

"And Ingrid, I'm finishing what I started."

She shoved me back, realizing her hold on my jaw I stumbled into the countertop. I glared at her out of anger.

"Lady, can I have your name because I sure as hell don't know who the fuck you are. The cops are on their way. I suggest you beat it, or not; it's up to you."

She peered at me under the hood, her dark eyebrows furrowing, "Hmm, so he made you forget him. Explains why you're not scared of me."

As the last word left her cracked lips, a dark creature slithered out from practically nowhere and took full form. Its body was bent at a hunched angle, and it's large red eyes bore into me as saliva slipped from its mouth, past large sharp teeth. Its hands had long black claws that limply hung to the ground, talons clenching. A serpent-like tail flicked from side to side.

I stared.

All I could do was stare. I couldn't make sense of it.

The creature cocked its head to the side its eyes locking on me, and I only had time to suck in a scream before it charged at me. Just as it was to connect with my body, it didn't. I peeled my eyes open against my better judgment and came face to face with nothing but a demolished storefront.

I whipped around.

"What the fuck?"

The door dinged, and I looked at Leslie. She stared at the mess and then looked at me.

"What the hell?"

I explained that someone had ransacked the place while she was at lunch and when she asked why I didn't call the cops, I lied and said it had just happened and the person darted our the store right past me. I told her I was scared and then she showed up. I knew to lie to her wasn't the most excellent idea, but I needed to speak to Arthur.

Even if I was dreading this conversation, the worn red door was ajar, only slightly. I wasn't sure if I should go inside, but my feet began to move on their own. I lingered at the threshold, my hand on the chipping doorframe. Leaning in, I skimmed across the rooms I could see. A living room with a small dining room, a hallway and a bit of the kitchen were visible. Cautiously, I moved further into the place.

"Hello?"

No one answered. My eyes lingered on the spiral staircase. He could be up there.

"Ingrid?"

I jumped, screaming. Whirling around to see Arthur standing in the doorway with a bag of groceries.

"Oh my god, you scared me." I gasped.

"Well, you're in my house. Is breaking in a thing you do?" He asked raising a dark eyebrow as he cocked his head to the side. The bag crinkled as he set it on the dining table that was in the corner before turning to look at me.

"I wasn't breaking in. The door was open."

"You said the same thing last time."

I frowned. I wasn't scared of him, but I felt like I was supposed to be. He seemed to know so much about me, things I couldn't remember, and it bothered me. The fact that he may be the one who did this to me doesn't sit well either. That alone should make him terrifying, but it doesn't.

Arthur stares at me. His expression was soft, and a small smile lingered on his lips.

"I needed to tell you something. That's why I'm here." I defended.

He shoved his hands in his pockets and made a face to indicate for me to continue talking.

"Um, I was told to tell you that she was back and that she was going to finish what she started."

Arthur's face immediately went sour, and his fist clenched before he turned and closed the door behind him, locking me in the house with him. When he turned back to me, I wondered if I had made the right decision.

"We've been waiting for her."

• • •

Sorry for the delay but like many others College has started, and I've been busy!
Have a great weekend.
🐝