When I started this story I didn't realize that it was going to be this long. The prequels were just short little one shots. I have no idea how many more parts there are going to be. I broke up my notes and I'm shooting for three more chapters after this one. I don't want to draw all this out into some long complicated story. I don't think the cat will end up in this chapter, but I had two name suggestions. Two votes to keep the name of Otis and one for Thomas (if you can count one of the Otis votes since it is from a relative of mine.) Granny remembers a cat we had a long time ago that was named Thomas. Granny never liked Thomas the cat much because he liked the younger male cats and not the mating age females. She said keep the cat's name Otis in the story. I did say I would let her chose it...and so the cat's name will be Otis...when he shows up in the story again.
Raven's Nest-Part 7
Red X enters the bookstore soon after it opens for the day. He freezes in the doorway when he sees her behind the counter. The change in hair color and hidden gem stone on her forehead could never fool him. He used to lie awake for hours and just watch her sleep. As he looks up he quickly moves over to one of the shelves. She's never seen him without the suit...he wonders how he as Kevin can compete with the mystique of Red X. He can be all smart ass and cocky behind a mask, but now he's not and he suddenly finds himself very nervous around Raven.
Seth watches the young man. The way he stared at Raven when entering the store tells him a lot. He has had those feelings before himself. He steps over to the young man as the door opens again. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
"I'm just loo-actually I could use some sort of guide for expectant fathers." He looks back at Raven as he is directed to another shelf.
As Robin enters the store he sees the same girl that came into the cafe last night behind the counter. He knows if this is Raven then he will just scare her off he just goes up and blurts out who he is and why he's here.
Raven looks up at the second person to come in this morning. She thinks its a bit odd that he seems to be staring at her before approaching the checkout. "Can I help you?"
"I'm looking for Seth. Nancy at the boarding house said he knew all the good hiking trails around here."
"He is with a customer at the moment."
"That's okay, I don't mind waiting." From this close he can clearly make out the unique indigo color of Raven's eyes. This has to be her. He decides to at least test the waters to make sure. "Cool contacts."
Raven suddenly realizes that she never changed her eye color. "Oh, um thanks. Not many people notice them."
"I don't see how they could miss it. Its different, but it just seems to suit you."
Raven is thankful when the phone rings. "Please excuse me, I need to get that." She quickly goes over to the phone. "Hello thank you for calling Dale's New and Used Books. My name is Rachel. How may I help you?"
Robin smirks as he backs off to give her some privacy. So she goes by Rachel here...she's definitely Raven he thinks. If she knows who he is or even senses it then she never reacted. He thinks she seems more concerned with keeping her secret.
Seth watches as the young man pays more attention to Rachel than the books he is showing him. "Is it safe to assume that you're the father?"
He looks up startled at first, but decides not to deny it. "Is it that obvious?"
"Why not go talk to her?"
"I don't want her to run again. I'm not exactly father material...so I can't really blame her."
"You're both young...and you both seem like good kids, so maybe what you need is to prove yourself to her."
"That sounds like a good idea. A very good idea...Is there anywhere around here that is hiring?"
"Harry across the street. He's been advertising since school let out but all the school kids want to be cool and get jobs near the consolidated high school, or drive all the way into the city."
"I'll go over and talk to him. Please just don't tell her that I'm here...not yet."
"I won't, but this is a small town and word gets around fast, so I don't know how long that will last."
"How much for the books?"
Seth looks at the prices and does some quick math in his head. "Twenty-three dollars and sixty-five cents."
Red X takes out thirty bucks. "Keep the change." He takes the books and quickly hurries out of the store as Raven hangs up the phone.
Raven watches the customer hurry out as Seth approaches the cash register and rings up the sale.
"He was in a hurry."
"Okay..." She nods to toward the other guy. "Nancy sent him to talk to you about hiking."
Red X hurries across the street to the grocery store.
Harry looks up as he enters. "Hey, how did it go over there?"
"I didn't talk to her. She wouldn't recognize me. I've changed and I don't want to lose her again."
"I wish I had been that wise at your age."
"The guy over there had a good idea, about proving myself to her before I let her know its me."
"So you looking for a job, because I could really use some help around here."
"Yeah." If he's going to change then he plans to go all out. "Know anyone in the market for a car?"
Raven watches the guy that came into see Seth. There is just something familiar about him. She wonders what is happening to her powers. Only a few months ago she would have been able to sense if she had met this person before. She wonders if the need arises could she summon enough power to protect herself. The only thing she's clearly been able to sense with her powers since becoming pregnant was the cat's thoughts this morning. She pulls her baggy sweater closer around her wishing instead that it is Red X's arms she is wrapped up in.
About the name of the bookstore if anyone caught it...Dale is Seth's last name...then again maybe he named it after his lost love...I don't know which yet. That was just the name that popped into my head when I needed a name for the bookstore.