Chapter 2: Meeting Someone New
As nice a guy as that rock-headed individual was, Ashi refused to stay around for whoever was arriving in the flashing red and blue machines. Guilt overwhelmed her thoughts as she rushed past the puddled streets of this unusual town, but pride was present knowing she had committed a good deed.
Ashi steered herself clear of any incoming townspeople, refusing to allow any other to witness her presence. She still recalled how that person who ran the shop regarded her. Obviously, he had never seen any of her kind before. And she most certainly never seen any of his, whatever kind the people who resided here were called.
The raven-haired woman merged into the shadows of a nearby alley, and her back pressed against the wall of what appeared to be another building. She glanced up at it, regarding its massive structure and many windows. The flight of stairs from her perspective reached three doors, indicating it was an educational institution. A school, only no children.
She pressed further against the wall, spotting two elderly people walking by her. Ashi raised a brow, noticing that one was a male moose-like person with purple flesh and antlers. Beside him was something pink and frosty. It took Ashi a moment to realize it was a walking cupcake. Took even longer to realize it was a woman.
"Yeah, it's true," the elderly man told the female pastry. "Larry never left his post even while the storm was hitting. Said his job comes above even safety precautions."
"That's weird," the cupcake woman drawled. "Who would even come for a shift in the middle of a storm?"
"Larry," the moose being said, shaking his head.
Ashi had no idea who this Larry was, nor any idea what those two were even talking about, but she was relieved to see they had left. She bolted from her hiding spot soon as they disappeared. Bare streets greeted the woman, and she found herself nearing a giant complex building that bore so many glass panels, and a gigantic sign that said ELMORE SHOPPING. She glanced at the interior, seeing as it was empty and no one was inside. The place was closed. Her curiosity immediately faded and she carried on.
Houses, tall buildings, and other places she had never seen before greeted her. This world carried so much she was just so confused about. Yet something in her sort of got excited. At least there were no soldiers, and her leg had been healed miraculously.
But a place to rest was still an issue.
As she trekked through the odd town, she found herself in the park once more. She ventured past the playground, trying to find a place where no one could find her. She merged through bushes and trees, and realize this was her best opportunity to reside. She could have chosen an alley behind a store, but decided against it since shady people like that thumbprint thief had been found in those places.
Ashi stopped in front of one of the taller trees. She slept on the ground before, why not go a little higher? Linking her legs around the thickly bark, she climbed before she met leaves. Reaching the highest branch, she sat there, legs dangling. She still had a great view of the city from where she was, and no one could ever spot her.
Not much, but it was better than the cold, soggy ground.
A few hours later
Larry sighed as he walked home. The Sun had set some time ago and while some people may have chosen to stay out late, Larry was ready to go home and catch what little sleep he could before his next shift. The young man would be lying if he said that he didn't feel tired but work was his priority of course. It always had been. He did, however, appreciate the peacefulness of the night and the cool spring breeze. However, as he gazed up at the night sky, he couldn't help but think about the woman he met today.
She was a unique creature, and not just because of her unfamiliar species. There was something about her that he couldn't quite place. It was as though she emitted some sort of energy that he had never felt before. And now he wanted to feel it again. He couldn't describe the feeling said energy gave him but nevertheless, it was refreshing. If only she had stayed just a bit longer…
"Oh, who am I kidding? She probably doesn't want to see me. I could be the reason she left so suddenly," Larry lamented to himself before sighing. "I didn't even get her name."
The multi-employed man continued stroll down the sidewalk, the Moon, stars, and crickets his only companions. As he passed the park and playground, he took notice of the budding trees and bushes which had been barren a few months prior. He smiled sadly as he recalled all the memories of him and Karen coming here for a picnic. He frowned and shook his head.
Those memories were just painful now and as hard as it was, he needed to accept that. He would have to accept that he would not marry presently. He would have to accept that his bed would remain empty just a little longer. He would have to accept that he would not currently be having any children.
That was one of the things he had been desiring for the longest. Despite how irritable he could be with the Watterson children, it didn't mean that he hated kids. Far from it. He would love to have some little ones with the woman he would choose to spend his life with. Holding their children as they first came into this world. Playing with them, teaching them things only a father could, the whole she-bang. Unfortunately, destiny was a fickle mistress and had decided that Larry would not be doing so.
That thought just made his heart feel heavier.
Sighing once more, he continued pass the park and playground. As he began to pass the cluster of bushes and trees, he noticed something. One of the trees looked as though it had some growth at the top. He couldn't see it so well in the dark but the silhouette made it out to look like…a person. The young man would have brushed this off except for the fact that he saw it move! Curiosity getting the better of him, he began walking towards the tree.
When he was close enough, he quietly and carefully took out his phone and shined his flashlight at what had grabbed his attention.
Big mistake.
He soon found his phone knocked out of his hand and his back hitting the ground. He gasped as he felt the weight of someone holding him down. But what really got his heart palpitating in fear was the silhouette of someone drawing their arm back as though they would strike him.
Quickly covering his face with his hands and arms, he shouted, "Please! I'm sorry! Take my wallet and go!"
The blow, nor the feeling of someone swiping his wallet, never came.
"Wait. You're the one from that store," a familiar female voice gasped.
Larry opened his eyes as he felt the person get off him.
It was her.
Ashi stared down at the cashier in shock before she immediately spoke guiltily, "Forgive me. I did not intend to hurt you. Attacking when I feel surprised or threatened is something I'm use to."
As she offered her hand to help him up, Larry could not help but notice how lovely she looked in the moonlight. Her skin looked as though it was made of silk and eyes sparkled like the stars dotting the skies above them. Taking her offered hand, he shivered at how soft it truly was.
Getting to his feet and dusting himself off, he spoke, "I-It's quite alright. I'm not hurt. I should be the one saying sorry for sneaking up on someone, especially the woman who saved me from being fired."
"Well, I'm glad I helped you when you needed help," Ashi replied kindly with a small smile.
Larry smiled back before remembering his dropped phone. He began scanning the area around them, fearing he would have to yet again buy a new one. However, Lady Luck seemed to be cutting him slack as he found it sitting on top of a clump of weeds. He picked it up and wiped it on his shirt before looking it over. There were a few tiny scratches but the soft grass had saved it from any severe damage.
Breathing a sigh of relief, he put his phone in his pocket and returned his attention to her, "You know, I never caught your name."
"My name is Ashi," the midnight-haired woman answered.
"Ashi…that's a beautiful name," Larry murmured without thinking before quickly saying, "My name is Larry. Larry Needlemeyer."
"Thank you. Wait a minute," Ashi stopped as she remembered what she heard the moose say earlier. "Are you the same Larry who wouldn't leave work during the storm?"
Larry stared at her in surprise before nodding, "Why yes I am. How did you find that out? I've never seen you around here before."
"I heard some people talking about you and your dedication to your work," Ashi explained. "You must be a courageous person to have done something like that."
Larry felt a hot blush grace in face at the praise, "Why thank you. That's a very nice thing to say."
A long moment of silence stood between them.
Suddenly, Larry spoke up, "Why were you in that tree?"
"That was where I was planning to sleep," Ashi explained simply.
"Don't you have a house or some kind of shelter?" Larry asked in surprise and felt his heart pull when she shook her head to say no.
Suddenly, Larry felt as though all his stresses, worries, and misfortunes paled in comparison to hers. How could he possibly go home knowing that the one who had done him a good deed would be sleeping out in the open like some wild animal? He felt his heart twist in concern and pity. Then he had an idea.
"You know…I have space at my house…you can come stay with me! That is if you want," Larry offered quickly, hoping she wouldn't be scared off by this sudden proposal.
Ashi blinked in surprise and curiosity, "You would allow some stranger into your home?"
"Well, we're not really strangers anymore since we introduced ourselves. Besides, it's the least I could do for you," Larry replied in a calm and friendly demeanor, but on the inside he was hoping, praying, she would say yes.
To his delight, she smiled and nodded, "Alright then. I will take shelter with you. Thank you."
"You're welcome. Follow me," Larry gestured for her to walk with him.
As they strode down the sidewalk, Larry wondered why his heart was still hammering in his chest while Ashi wondered why her cheeks felt warm.
This is strange. Usually I'm apprehensive about trusting strangers, Ashi thought curiously as she walked along the sidewalk, her steps in sync with the young man's steps. But yet I feel I can trust him with few questions asked.
Well, isn't this new. I meet an unfamiliar woman and decide to bring her back to my house, Larry thought as he bit his lip, trying to will away his blush. Gosh, I hope nobody sees us at this very moment.
At Larry's House
"Your home is humble but nice," Ashi complimented as she observed the domain.
"Thank you. Working several jobs does pay off I suppose," Larry replied as he fixed his pull out sofa bed for her.
"Do you live alone?" the midnight-haired woman asked as she walked through the hallway.
"Well…yes. What about you? Do you have any friends or family?" Larry asked as he smoothed the covers.
"I had a friend…but we were separated by the storm," Ashi replied softly.
Larry cursed himself for his insensitive question before saying, "I'm sorry. But I'm sure you'll find your friend soon. Or maybe she'll find you."
"She's actually a he," Ashi corrected politely.
"Oh," Larry said in surprise, suddenly having a strange bubbling and twisting feeling in his gut as he adjusted the pillows. "Well then I'm sure you'll see him again."
"Thank you," Ashi said as she came into the room. "And thank you for your hospitality."
"Like I said, it's the least I could do," Larry repeated. "And I can assure this will be more comfortable than sleeping in a tree."
Ashi laughed but blushed in shock. She had never done that before. Even after becoming partners with the samurai.
Larry felt himself blush too but quickly diffused the situation as he spoke, "So, the bathroom is down the hall to your left. The kitchen is right near the living room. If you need me, my bedroom is upstairs on the right."
Ashi nodded as she laid down on the pull out, "Very well."
"Alright then. Goodnight," Larry smiled as he proceeded up the stairs.
"And I bid you a goodnight as well," she called out to him.
It wasn't until he got to his room that Larry realized that he was smiling.
For real this time.
When Larry slid into his queen-sized bed, hoping to grab at least an hour of sleep before his next shift, he felt his smile increase. It was a feeling he only ever felt when things in a store were orderly and neat. A similar feeling as when he had the satisfaction of pleasing a customer, especially if it was the Wattersons kids.
Nearly that same feeling he had when Karen was around...
His smile began to fade as he glanced at the empty side of his bed. Some days he would just lay on the other end, just to compensate. But the void was still present, and the pain lingered. In fact, thinking about it, he hardly remembered the times he welcomed Karen into his house. There were some dinner dates that were too short due to his work hours, and that was pretty much it. She had never slept in his bed either. Made him wonder if Karen also left him because of lack of...there of.
Laying back against his pillow, he thought back to the woman who was currently residing on his couch. He remembered the five fingers she possessed in contrast to his four. The pale skin, almond-shaped eyes, and hair dark as night. And a kind heart since she was willing to aid a stranger like him.
After she left and the police came, his boss demanded to know what happened. He had a hard time believing that someone would be honest enough to return the money, especially when there were so many greedy people in Elmore. Larry could count the Wattersons, but hey, they were the Wattersons. At least Larry didn't get fired. The last thing he wanted after losing Karen was losing one of his many jobs.
Closing his eyes, he drifted to sleep. It practically felt like he had slept for only five minutes when his alarm pounded noise into his large skull.
"Time for work..." he muttered, which was something he said routinely every time his alarm sounded.
Dressed in his food store uniform, he quietly tiptoed down the stairs. He spotted Ashli on the couch, practically spooned against the sheets and pillows. A smile so blissful laid on her lips as she slept, as if she had never slept in such conditions before. Well, seeing as her clothing was literally made out of natural sources, Larry shouldn't have been surprised.
Still, he hated to leave her wondering where he had gone when he had a guest present. He should have explained his routine to her before parting for the evening. The best he could do was leave her a note, and that's what he did as he placed a sticky paper attached to the table beside the sofa bed. He could have asked for a phone number, but they just met, and she could really take that the wrong way.
Silently unlocking the front door, he took one last glance at Ashi before closing behind him. He was sure she would be able to handle herself around his house. As he backed out of his driveway, he took one last glance at the front window before driving to his next job.
Although his eyes were on the road and his hands were on the wheel, his focus was only partially on the task of driving. He thought about how everyone would react upon seeing that he had a new guest in his house who was not only a person of the opposite gender but also not Karen. The blush which he had managed to get rid of returned in a steady creep along his face.
Hopefully I'll be able to explain everything when she starts meeting the other residents, the workaholic rock individual pondered.
However, in a town like Elmore, things didn't always go according to plan.
