Lost.

It was the first hours of the day, and the sign “open” was simply left by mistake, people that

lived there knew it was closing even when the lights were still on.

When the door opened, Mona couldn’t help flinching to the echoes that were accented by the empty space.

It was that stranger from yesterday that stayed for a little while at noon then took off, he had such an exotic air to him, she wished he’d lingered then, but he smiled and left.

Now, the man that walked inside her bar was a different one, she doubt her eyes at first but then, it was

him, his yellow eyes held a unique glint that can’t be mistaken, and he was wearing

these same clothes that felt alien to this forgotten countryside town, an unmistakably expensive all black wear save for the dark gray jacket.

He walked in silent steps and picked the stool off the table and sat to the bar, not bothering to

ask if he had made a mistake, bent his elbows atop the counter and seemed as if he’d break on ugly tears but recovered quickly.

Mona had to peer closer to catch a glimpse of red contested eyes that either meant he was drained, or he had finished crying elsewhere.

“Hello stranger from yesterday” she finally greeted, after standing idle for a little too long, trying to think what she’d say.

“Perdón” his voice sounded distant, like he was so far away, and different way different.

“How can I help you?” She tried to sound normal but her own voice sounded strange to her ears.

“What happened” she found herself asking against all promises she made not to get entangled on strangers mess, like she’s tempted all the time.

He looked up her eyes, it felt as if he had just seen her then.

==

“¿Comó?” he swallowed a mere second before he spoke it out, he came here yesterday after he

was done with shopping it was the most descent looking place he had passed by while he circled the town few times.

“How did it go with your friend?” She asked, he doesn’t remember talking to her at all, yesterday

his ears were muffled, the thrumming of his excited heart had him deaf and somewhat

stupid it seems.

How did it go with Jamie indeed, he glanced down his vast neck, his back rigid and painful but his skin was as clear as one could get, no traces left, nothing but the bitter taste on the back of his throat, the taste of regret.

“Splendid” he answered. What had him feel like it was a good idea to stop by this place.

The car simply drove it self here after he got lost twice with his unfocused mind, missing all the

right turns, he knew he was better off inside a diner, but when found himself before this bar twice, he simply stopped the car and went in.

“Here you go” The bar tender placed a cup before him, its warm vapor caressed his face in a soothing way.

“Mom believed that ginger tea with lemon and honey cures all” she spoke to him,

" tea in a bar of all places” he held back a harsher comment, how Jamie would love this, he might have sat here, and this lady might have severved him this same drink, probably for the same reason.

A long sigh escaped his breath, and he finally looked up her face, a surge of familiarity passed him by even yesterday. That pale skin and dark hair, lively attitude and firm aura…

“This is better for you, trust me” she spoke gently.

“You remind me of someone, she believed that poetry can save the world..”

She smiled “your ex?” she guessed.

“my mother” he corrected.

Her smile widened and it felt nice, it had been some time since had anyone smiled to him big and easy.

“Thank you” he uttered quietly, his eyes back to the huge cup, he moved it’s porcelain to check its design thoroughly, before tasting the tea it held, taking a moment before washing away whatever broken hearts tastes like.

“it’s good” he commented quietly, somehow exchanging useless words can lessen the heaviness of one’s heart.

“Would you spike it?” He tried his luck

“No” she replied flatly. As if she was used to people asking her this all the time.

It was probably best like this, he had a long drive ahead anyway.

“Do you happened to have a map?” He asked, now that he had warmed up a little,

“I..” she started before she went out of the bar stand and completely vanished, he could hear the voice of what seemed like her desperate search for the piece of paper.

The empty cup in his hand had him realized that he had finished his drink, the one he didn’t want to drink at all, he put it down when she came back, and handed him a rolled map.

He looked at the ribbon and back at the women, bit down yet another distasteful comment, that was inappropriately amusing to him, then decided that it was probably better to simply leave.

He reached for his wallet, before he could open it, her arms were on his, she was so close, he could smell her skin,

“We only sell alcohol, all else is on the house” she spoke looking straight into his eyes, he couldn’t argue.

For few seconds he stared in silence, her warm soft hands still atop his, her skin looked a little flushed, maybe due to her earlier search maybe due to his presence.

“thank you”

a voice he hadn’t heard in a long while, it resembled his, but he forgot it existed.

==

the stranger in her shop stood to leave, he was lost, and tired, and her son was not home, she’s about done closing, the thoughts joined one another in a light speed, and out of her mouth before she gave them any more consideration.

“would you want to rest for a while?”

simple offer, but the way the stranger looked almost hurt by it, had her question what she said, did it sound too desperate, she only wants to help the stranger that looked sad but also absolutely adorable.

Another awkward silence stretched, maybe he was considering her request, maybe he’s planning a proper way to kill her. Under her breath, she cursed herself and her stupidity.

“you...are lost, and it think it’d be better if you drove off once you’ve...rested a bit”

Her cheeks burnt a bit, and she about thought to withdraw her request.

“ok”

hoping that the low lights would hide her rosy cheeks, while she headed toward the door that led to her small apartment atop the bar.

A few steps ahead and another huge door that wouldn’t open, the stranger behind her following in silence.

“it jams like this sometimes ” Mona explained a bit embarrassed, while trying to force the door to her apartment open.

The strangers hand covered hers it, push it g the door open with ease, but he didn’t keep it open, he pulled it shut

Mona’s had to turn around in surprise, why did he close the door, a grave mistake, the strangers hands remained on the door.

" I don’t want to come inside” he answered to her thoughts, hunching down to meet her eyes.

“I’d rather rest here”. He continues

He was so close yet so far, a mere inch inetween them stood like the highest wall, towering.

“If you’d let me”

==

He was tired for real, his body was, his heart was, his mind was, but he couldn’t afford to break this one rule.

Consents is a must.

This was not the colony, this was not his ground, he can take without asking, these people are not his.

The dollface looked stunt, a moth trapped in his blinding eye,

“Yes...”

Hardly enformed, fairly questionable, but he’ll take it.

===

This stranger was life fire, he set he ablaze with his cold hands. All places he tasted feel pained, scalded almost.

He kissed down he neck, his hunger scared her, as if he’d taste drink her blood, he bit her neck.

But he was good, she’ll give him that. Tracing with his hand underneath her clothes at first, the slowly removing them one by one, she wasn’t even aware of him strippinh her, until only her flesh was visible.

He was not rough, he was not mean, he did not hurt her spirit, his eyes were looking, not scrutinizing.

She didn’t feel she needed to shy away and hide he exposed body, he rather encourged her to show more, accept her nakedness, and show even more.

To give willingly.

===

Black hair, and pristine skin. This will be the end of him some day, this women looked like his Natalie, and Christina as well. However, she was easier to guide.

To make her do all he needed, without him asking, she must have a child somewhere.

These moms are always eager to please, to serve. Humbled by their ruined sex, the aftermath of childbirth. Even if it was only in their heads, they are more willing to accommodate on their own, an insecurity he knew how to exploit all too well.

He did need someone to take what’s left of Jamie off his body, every nook and cranny.

His spirit in contrast, can not recover.

===

She was sound asleep, he had wore her out. He was the tired one, but dhe slept in his arms, soundlessly.

He was lucky the key was still there, forgotten inside its sheathing lock. After all his years with Jamie he never learned how to pick locks properly.

All he need was to turn it quietly, place her inside her home and cover her up, then leave.

Skipping the bath for the second time in a raw, he’ll burn these clothes, he promised.

Fin