megsataraxia-blog

[megsataraxia-blog]

Writing Challenge #319

The prompt? “A young barista meets a stranger that wants to steal their heart.” from @tiftswritingcorner​. Cheers!

Here goes nothing!

Fair warning - there’s a bit of language in here.

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It must have been around 2pm that he caught my eye. His hat was drawn low over his eyes, his collar turned up high against the non-existent gusts of Starbucks. Ok, then, I thought to myself, wondering where exactly he was dressed for. It was nearing summer and while the heat was not yet oppressive, surely he must have been drowning in sweat under that heavy coat. It looked like the kind of thing you’d break out for the middle of winter.

Around a quarter to 5, we began to pack up, ready for closing. I nudged my workmate. “Hey, Sal. Is he yours?”

Sal gave him a cursory glance and then, a double-take. “How is he not dying in the coat?”

“I dunno. Is he yours, then?”

“No way. My folks are nutty, but not that nutty.” She shot him another look. “Is he… is he carrying something under that?”

A cold feeling hit me. “What, like a… like a weapon?”

“Jesus. I hope not. Didn’t he come in around lunch?”

“I don’t know! Jesus Christ! I had my eye on the coffee! I think I noticed him around 2?”

“Ok. Ok. Ok. We just… we can do this. We just make sure that one of us is always close to the panic button.”

“Are you kidding me? What if he takes one of us hostage?”

“Ah, shit. You’re right. Uh…” Sal tried to look around surreptitiously, as the man stirred a little.

“You got your phone?” I murmured.

“Oh! Yeah! Good idea. Just keep the police dialled?”

I nodded. I already had my hand curled around my phone, tucked secretly into my apron. Admittedly, it wasn’t the police I had keyed in, but this guy would do the job regardless. “I’ll take the front. You do behind the counter, ok?”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. Just keep your phone ready in case I shout, ok?”

“Shit! Ok.”

I edged out, the collar of my shirt brushing against the raised hairs on the back of my neck, broom in hand, spray bottle and cloth hanging off my belt. It was better that I go out front. It wasn’t like this guy could kill me, exactly – just cause a mess and maybe force me to have to start again. I didn’t want to start again. Starting again was all kinds of awful.

The man didn’t stir. The gentle swish of the broom felt as ponderous as the grind of a heavy door in the silence. Each spray of the disinfectant could have been the spitting and hissing of a cat. You could almost feel time unspooling.

I bit my lip nervously. He was… he was too still. Like a snake, lying in wait. I finished wiping the last table and, in a wash of relief, headed back to the relative safety of the counter, slipping my hand into my apron to delete the number. He wouldn’t appreciate a needless call.

“You ain’t gonna wipe this one down?”

My stomach dropped. I knew that voice. Oh, God, no.

Sal must have been in the back room. So much for the panic button, I thought. I pushed the call button on my phone.

“What do you want?” I asked, querulously. My voice quivers like a child in a rainstorm.

At last, he looked up. The hunter smiled. “Oh, I think you know.”

My breath is quick and shallow. I can’t get enough air. “Why?”

“You’d be amazed at what they sell for.”

“Go fuck yourself.” I meant it to sound bad-ass, but I can barely get the words out.

He chuckled breathily. “Once pay-day comes, believe me – I might just do that. I could fuckin’ kiss myself. You know how long I’ve been looking for you?”

I shook my head. Oh, please, God. Please let him get here soon.

His grin was mostly snarl. “Five goddamn years. Five fuckin’ years.” He knocked back the last of a coffee. “I gotta admit – you make pretty good coffee. Better that I expected from a Starbucks.”

“Thanks…?”

“Oh, my pleasure.” He slowly unfolded himself from the chair. “My absolute pleasure.”

Jesus H. Christ. He’s a giant. I can feel the sob starting at the back of my throat. Please, please, please let him be here already.

He loomed above me, too close. “How much do you think an elf’s heart goes for on the market?” he asked, his voice soft and dangerous, like the hiss of a snake tasting the air. “Go on. Guess.”

[megsataraxia-blog]

Some Chapter Titles

Inspired by this amazing post by the even more amazing @prompts-blog

Feel free to use these in whatever way you like and have fun, also remember to drink water kids, ok bye.

Grumpy Beginnings 

You Won’t Believe This False Hope 

Hallelujah, My Ass

Don’t Read This

Why Couldn’t It Be Mini Golf?

I Wish I Was An 19th Century Immigrant Confusing the French With My Excellent Cross Dressing 

Two Birds, No Stone. Please Don’t Kill My Birds. 

The Endless Darkness and Mystery of the Ocean is Becoming a Bit Tempting to Dive Into Now 

He'a Like Art. Terrible Art, But Still, Art

The Sun Can Fuck Right Off 

So Maybe I’m Not Okay

Cupid Screwed Up

Error: Fucks Not Found

I May Have Killed A Guy

Why Do I Do This?!

Finally I Can Be the Comedian I’ve Always Dreamed to Be

I Cheated Death and He Wants A Divorce

No Touchy Please 

Feel My Wrath and Extreme Self-Doubt 

Les I’m Miserable 

I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butt 

I’m Trying To Be Serious I Swear 

Where’s Colin Firth When I Need Him the Most 

Important Information: He’s Not Happy

Uh Oh

Note to Self: Don’t Do It You Son of A 

You Caught Me Singing on Broadway 

Firecrackers and Actual Crackers 

Umbrella, ella, ella, ellAH! 

Coffee Times Ten 

Gingers Are Vampires: The Story of How A Group of Bitter Vegetables Stole My Blood 

Somebody Once Told Me the World Was Gonna Kill Me��

Paint Me Like One of Your French Girls, Cock 

‘Get A Job’; I Say, Unemployed

Okay, Time To Be Serious

Ed Sheeran Wouldn’t Treat Me Like This

Shush Demons

I Should’ve Stayed In Bed

Leave Me Alone Punks

Time For Murder

Crapbag

I Love My Friends

I Met Abraham Lincoln

Best + Bitter = Better

Cue The Beat Drop

[megsataraxia-blog]

“There are three things all wise men fear; the sea in storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man.”