I want to apologize up front for the grammar and spelling mistakes that I'm sure are in here. I was unable to find a editor, and anytime I try to use editing software my story gets bounced for AI.
All Characters in this story are 18+ years old.
This is going to be a very slow burn store with the intent of doing multiple chapters, having the main characters go though many step heading to forever.
This is my first story and feedback is most welcome. Depending on the feedback, I will continue with more chapters. I have at least one more written now that I am proff'ing.
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Edward sat in the parking lot of the small independent general store checking his work emails before heading inside to pick up the two weeks worth of supplies that he would need. His last stop before making the final leg to his cottage, unfortunately he couldn't concentrate on his cell phone. The large yellow envelope sitting on the passenger seat of his truck kept drawing his eye and causing Edward to loose focus, he just turned the fucking thing off and signed in frustration. Reaching into the back seat for his warm jacket, rubbing his arm where his one and only tattoo was, saying to himself, "Well I guess it's time to burn it down and start over, again". The dark clouds, starting to circle over his head as they have for almost the last 2 years.
Looking out of the front window at the store trying to get his mood to improve and find the motivation to get out into the cold and do the shopping. He found no joy, even in the thought of going to his cottage. Edward loved going there, it's the most peaceful place that he had and looked forward to going there as often as he could. This being their annual get away from the world that they did every year, he frowned with that thought, it's not WE anymore it's just me now.
Edward was getting more and more grumpy about his life, where it has gone, where it is going, and not liking anything about any of it. Steadying himself, he thought, might as well get cold, get the shopping done, get back on the road as it looks like it is going to snow and I rather not get caught in any storms that pop up without warning in this area. Turning off the truck, grabbing his wool hat and jumping out of the truck to get it over with. The frigid wind hit Edward the second he gets out, he realizing it had gotten much colder than when he started the trip. Walking in the front door someone bumped into Edward rather hard, not saying anything just rushing past. Within that second of an interaction the only thing that came to his mind was, "god they stink", he continued in the store forgetting it right away.
After grabbing a cart and spending almost 30 minutes picking up bread, fresh fruit, veggies, some meat, and a few other things that Edward would need or want for the next two weeks as he didn't want to come back to the world for at least that. Paying he started to head back out to the truck, pushing the cart as there was too much to carry in one go. Stepping out the front door of the store, that same stinky person came walking back in, all bundled up in old ratty clothes, and again that smell hit him. Getting to the truck Edward started it up to get it warm while he loaded everything into the back seat. As he climbed up into the truck, something at the front of the store caught his eye. The same person wearing the ratty clothes came back out in a hurry with a store employee following them out yelling something to them that didn't look nice.
He checked his phone one last time before getting back on the road, as once Edward got to the cottage there was no cell service. Looking up, he saw the ratty person again, however this time crouched down in a small bundle close to the front door just far enough away that no one in the store could see them. Unsure why but they seem to hold his interest more than his emails. Edward though that being in his truck he could stare a little without being. They were small, very small almost the size of a young teen, this immediately concerned him. They were wearing a light fall style jacket, nowhere as warm as they needed for the weather that felt like was coming. On their head was a oversized wool hat that was so thread worn that he could almost make out the hair underneath. Their pants in no better shape than the rest of the clothes, thread barren with what looked like some wear holes. Just then they stood up and looked around and then hurried back inside. Thinking this was odd, why were they coming in and out over and over again.
He was about to put the truck in drive and finish the trip to the cottage to forget about the world and everything that has happened to him. However just before he did, out came the ratty person once again and again an employee behind them clearly yelling at them. Edward's curiosity got the better of him and worried that there might be something wrong with "Ratty" (yes it's was a mean nickname) and felt the need to check on them. Waiting for the employee to go back inside he jumped down out of the truck leaving it running to stay warm as it's getting colder by the minute. Then slowly walked over, not wanting to scare Ratty as they were squatting down almost behind the bushes, he realized for shelter from the wind that was picking up.
He asked "Hello, are you alright, is there something that you need that I can help with?"
Their head just came up a little out of the jacket to meet his eyes and what came back not only startled him, surprised Edward to no end. This little mousy voice almost screamed at him, "Back off Perv, I'm not Prostitute!"
His eyes widened, he could barely make it out but Ratty was a woman. Him being a nice guy, he thought that he should try again to make sure everything was alright, 'god I hate being a nice guy', he thought to himself.
"I didn't say that you were, I just wanted...." before he could even finish that sentence she cut him off.
"Back the fuck off or I will scream rape! I don't give hand jobs, suck dick or anything else that gets me close to you" she yelled locking eyes with him, with what looked like tears starting.
Those eyes caught Edwards attention within a half a second. They were the lightest blue eyes he had ever seen, almost being clear. As he looked at them they pierced him straight to his bones, he was almost instantly lost in them even though he could barely see them. He was lost in them so much that Edward didn't hear the police get out of the car that had pulled up behind him.
"Sir, is everything ok here?" came the voice of the police behind him.
Jumping at the sound of someone talking behind him, "ah what...Yes everything is fine" he said as he turned. Glancing back at Ratty, he saw her head come up out of the light fall jacket with dirt all over her face and now clearly tears slowly trickling down her cheeks. Those clear blue eyes locked on his with this almost pleading look, then glanced to the cops with their hands slowly going to the holster on their hips. Edward wasn't sure why things were going the way they were and yet again being the nice guy he wanted to try and de-escalate the situation that was starting to happen.
"Sorry officers, I didn't hear you pull up. I was just offering this nice lady a ride home as her car won't start." Edward said, taking a step back to be almost in front of Ratty, raising his hands as he tried to look a little more peaceful. They looked at Edward then looked around him at her, then back to him saying.
"We got a call from the independent that there was a shoplifter"
"Oh, I don't know anything about that, but while I was trying to get this nice ladies car going, I think that I saw someone heading around the back of the store with some bulk under their jacket. I didn't think anything about it at the time but HE did look a little shifty." He wasn't sure why he lied for her but for some reason Edward felt the need to protect her.
They again looked at him, Edward could tell they really didn't believed him but they didn't have reason to think that he was lying. They looked again at her, judging her in about two seconds. However after a quick look between the two of them, they thanked him and started walking around the side of the building. Waiting about 30 seconds at most, Edward looked at her.
"Unless you want to be questioned by those trigger happy cops, I think it's best for you to get out of here before they check with the store if it was a girl or guy that was shoplifting." He said to her, with a slight smile on my face trying to keep her calm.
