Gary and Leaf walked through the mall. Gary was being kind and carrying the shopping bags that Leaf was obtaining. As they walked along, Leaf froze.
"Hey, you okay?" Gary asked.
"We have to hide!" she cried and grabbed his hand.
They ran into the nearest store and Gary noticed she was unnaturally pale.
"Leafy, who was it?"
"Richard..."
In a matter of seconds, Leaf's carefree attitude had vanished and she was afraid.
"Leaf, breathe. Go to the dressing rooms," Gary instructed.
"But-"
He held her shoulders. "Leaf, breathe. I'm going to keep you safe."
He placed a kiss to her forehead and gently pushed her towards the dressing rooms. She stumbled along and he only turned once she vanished from his sight. He ran to the store's entrance and looked out. It wasn't hard to find Richard through all the shoppers. His apperance was grungy and he had a slightly stumble to his walk. Plus the scowl on his face made it easy to pick him out.
"Shit." Gary muttered as Richard's eyes caught his.
Gary ran into the store and up to the cashier.
"Excuse you,"
"Sorry. I need a favor."
"This is a store and I'm not here to do favors."
Gary glanced down at her nametag and put on his best charming face.
"Dena, you would really be helping me out. I'll make it worth your time, just name your price."
"Hmm...I'm listening."
Gary mentally sighed in relief.
"There's going to be a man coming in here looking for me and the girl I can in with. He can't know we're here, please."
"Are you doing something illegal?"
"No. It's just a bad situation. Please?"
"Okay, I'll help."
"Great. Here's my number. Call me with the price and thank you, Dena."
She nodded her head and Gary hurried to the dressing rooms.
"Leaf?"
A door swung opened and Gary stepped inside. Leaf clung to him, tears threatening to fall from her eyes.
"Shh...it's okay. It's gonna be okay."
Shouting was heard and Leaf jumped.
"I know my daughter is here. Where is she?"
Richard was in the store.
"Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to calm down or leave."
"I know she's here!"
"Sir."
Footsteps headed towards the dressing room.
"Sir, only customers are-"
Hangers made a noise.
"I'm a customer."
"Leaf...I know you're in here. Come out,"
Leaf gripped Gary's hand tightly. The two were standing on the seat in the changing room so their feet wouldn't be seen.
"Get out here!"
She jumped and Gary held her closer.
"Fine..."
*VRRRR. VRRRR. VRRRR.*
Leaf removed her cell phone and in the silence it was loud.
"Gotcha,"
"Oh shoot. Where is it?" Gary said, pitching his voice higher than Leaf had ever heard it.
*VRRRR.*
Gary quickly pressed the button to silence Leaf's phone.
"Ah ha! Hi honey!"
Leaf bit her lip to keep from laughing at Gary.
"Oh, is it that time already? Shoot. You know me I got sidetrack by a dress I had to try on. But I'll head to the food court. I'll be there soon, honey."
A door slammed and both Gary and Leaf jumped.
"Where did that damn girl go?"
Silence filled the area.
"Umm...Gary? That guy left." Dena's voice said.
Gary sighed in relief and Leaf let out a sob that had been building.
"Thanks, Dena."
"Yeah, no problem. I hope you both are able to avoid him. He seems like a total asshole."
"Oh that he is. Thank you again. I won't break the deal."
"It's no problem."
Gary held Leaf as she cried.
"I'm sorry..." she muttered as she lifted her head and looked at him.
"No...don't apologize. You have nothing to be sorry for." Gary said.
"I saw him and just choked. I couldn't bear seeing him. How will I ever go against him if I can't even speak when I see him?"
Gary lifted her head.
"We're going to get through this together. And you don't have to worry about that yet. We'll cross it when we get there."
She nodded her head and sniffed. Gary placed a kiss to her forehead.
"Wanna shop some more or wanna go home?"
"Home. I could use a nap..."
"Then a nap it shall be." Gary declared and Leaf laughed.
The two walked out of the dressing room and back into the store. Leaf looked at the cashier, Dena.
"Thank you for helping." she said.
Dena looked up and nodded her head. "Just for the record, if you need someone as a witness or the tape, let me know. No one should have to..."
Leaf looked at the girl shocked.
"Thank you..."
Gary was also shocked by Dena's offer.
"Thanks, Dena. We'll be in contact."
Gary unlocked the front door and allowed Leaf to walk in first before he followed behind her, carrying her bags. Thankfully, they had managed to get a good bit of shopping done before Richard had ruined Leaf's carefree mood.
"We'll work on putting your stuff away after you nap." Gary said as he set the bags down in the living room.
Leaf nodded her head and the two went upstairs to Gary's room. Leaf sat on the edge of the bed and stared at the wall blankly. Gary sat down on the middle of his bed and carefully wrapped his arms around her.
"You're safe, Leaf." he said, kissing her cheek softly.
"I'm just so scared. What if he finds me?" she asked.
"I know you are and he won't. I'm going to keep you safe. Let's lay down,"
He could feel the tension in her body. She was stiff, but she did lay down.
"Leaf?"
"Hm?"
"Would you like a massage?"
"What?"
She looked at him.
"You're tense and you won't rest well being so tensed."
"Okay..."
"Just lay on your stomach and relax. It's going to be okay."
Leaf trusted Gary and knew he would never take advantage of her and she knew he was just doing this to try and help. She did remember how he was with his massages when they were younger. She would be sore after a long day of practice and he would help rub the tension from her neck.
He slowly began to work on her shoulders and neck, easing the tension out.
By the time he had finished, Leaf was having a hard time keeping her eyes open. He slid under the covers and she moved and laid her head on his chest and he wrapped his arm around her. He kissed her forehead and she sighed.
"Get some rest, Leafy." he said.
He felt her breathing even out and he let his own eyes fall shut.
All seems well for now, but will it stay like this? Stay tuned for more!
Please R&R