#oc.txts

It took a lot of convincing to get near him, even more to let him inside of your shop. He acted like an injured animal backed into a corner, ready for bite and weary of what’s to come. But you had to show him that you mean no harm, because you don’t- you just want to help because he honestly needs it.

The supply closet wasn’t the greatest place to help a wounded man, but it would have to do- you just closed up shop and you rather not have it looking like a bloodbath.

Besides, it looked like the man wasn’t as tense when you helped him through the back door.

You tried to make small talk, but the stranger was either too much in pain to bother or just gave you short answers- which was a little rude, but whatever. Sounded like he really didn’t know how to hold a conversation. You asked for his name when he finally spoke after your awkward attempts of making conversations.

“You don’t need to know.”

His tone was as nasty as his wound- which looked really nasty. You weren’t a medical expert by any means, but it looked really bad. You couldn’t tell if he got shot, stabbed or both.

You apologized when you wiped it with disinfectant, his hisses and groans filling the air. But you had no other choice, because when you told him he needed to go to the hospital and reached for your phone, he grasped at your wrist. The look he gave you shook you to your core, and you meekly said never mind.

It was the moment that the thought crossed your mind that he could hurt you.

You don’t know this man. You went with your gut to help him, but he was still nothing but a stranger. With how fast he grabbed you and the threatening squeeze he gave you, he could hurt you with ease. You tried to stop your hand from trembling when he let go, a gruff sorry leaving his lips. You mumbled out that it was fine, but clearly it left you rattled.

The air became tense again, with you just trying to focus on wrapping his wound. You could feel his eyes boring into you while you kept your head down- until he finally broke the silence, an obvious and awkward attempt at trying to make the mood more relaxed. It…didn’t really work, but you would play along. It helped to take your mind off of what previously happened. He was lost, and it made you chuckle a bit at how hard he was trying.

The air was quiet but not as tense as before. Still awkward, but it was bearable.

You didn’t offer him to stay- you were already crossing a line letting a stranger inside with you alone, you weren’t that naive to let him spend the night. You offered to call him a ride, but he was already making his way to the door, albeit it a bit wobbly, but standing up regardless.

He never looked back, but you swore that you heard a soft thank you as you watched his back walk out the door and back into the freezing rain.

A small smile graced your lips- so he had a bit of manners, after all.

You honestly believed that you were never going to see him again, your curiosity of the stranger bond to brew in the back of your mind. Always wondering what ever happened to him- was he okay? Where is he going? Who did that to him? Questions that you had to accept that you would never get answers for. A small part of you would always be curious about him, an even smaller part wanting to run into him again just to ease your thoughts.

You would have never guessed that you would have your wish granted so soon.

Nor would you have imagined him pointing a gun directly at your forehead.

You couldn’t stop yourself from shivering, even after they took off the blindfold. The muzzle of the gun felt cold against your temple, and your body shook from the steel and from being so close to Death’s Door. The other men in the room urged the man to hurry up with killing you, speaking of your death like it was simple errand. Tears welled up in your eyes, dread seeping deep into your bones-

You were really going to die here, weren’t you.

You bit your lips to try and stifle your sobs- seeing your memories flash before you. Your life was about to be stolen from you- and there was nothing you could do about it. All because you decided to show a stranger an act of kindness. All because you were so naive, so stupid-

The gun cocked, the sound bouncing off the walls of the abandoned warehouse and making your flinch. You weren’t brave enough to look up at the stranger, to look up at your soon to be killer- all you could do is hope that you would go fast, and that just made the tears stream down your cheeks faster. You closed your eyes as tight as you could, bracing yourself.

The gun went off and you screamed.

But you felt nothing. No pain, no blood- nothing.

When you finally did open your eyes, you saw the men lying on the ground, small pools of crimson surrounding them. The stranger was still standing, weapon pointed at the bodies. You sat frozen, mouth agape at the sight.

Why did he shoot them and not you?

The man eventually let out a sigh and lowered the gun, turning back to you. You jumped when you locked eyes with him, heart pounding ferociously in your chest, sweat lining your forehead. You forced your gaze back down to the ground.

It wasn’t until he cleared his throat that you glanced back up, a hand reached out in front of you. You were still too shaken by everything to do anything, which forced him to grab at your wrist- surprisingly much more gentle then the first time he did it.

He helped you to your feet, your body still wobbly from your nerves. You tried to keep your gaze ahead as you passed the bodies littering the ground- some of their eyes were still open, shock forever etched on their faces.

It’s going to be hard to sleep for the next few weeks.

The man opened the car door and you mindlessly got in, still numb after the adrenaline wore off. The ride was quiet, and you stared out the window and at the rising sun, the mix of colors comforting you somewhat. It reminded you that you were alive.

You saw your shop come into view, and the stranger got out to open your door once again. You got out, gaze empty as you tried to process everything that happened.

“Sorry about all of this.”

He broke the stiff air first, his own eyes looking away from yours. The man looked as awkward as he did when he tried to make conversation the first time in your shop. A much different aura from the warehouse where he showed no emotion, only a coldness that could be felt from miles away. You had whiplash just witnessing it.

You shook your head, it’s fine on the tip of your tongue- but it wasn’t. None of this was okay.

You took a deep breath, a dried thank you leaving your lips anyway. He did save your life even if he could have been the reason you came close to losing it.

The man nodded his head and gave you one final look before getting in the car. You swore you heard him say see you around, but you didn’t have time to question it when he drove away.

You thought about calling the police, but what good would it do? If anything, it could bring you more trouble- and that wasn’t worth it at all.

You didn’t even bother going into the shop, instead walking to your own car.