Thatcher was new to this county. He had moved from the one a couple of hours away. There he had killed a man for beating his children. But the voices told him to do it. It wasn’t his fault, he wasn’t doing anything bad at all. If anything, he was a hero. He was at a grocery store now, getting some things he would need for his new home. He had a small cart with bottles of water, and other basic things like vegetables, fruits, and other foods.
In Love With a Criminal? // O/O // CLOSED
Arlen was at the grocery store. He was still in uniform, as he was only stopping by it on the way home after his shift today. He had a small cart, and was loading it with things he would need. Milk, eggs, cereal, chips. Necessities like that.
Vaughn brushed his fingers through his hair, glancing around. He watched various men that were close to him. Sometimes he could just tell. He would get a feeling and the whispers would begin hissing and the figure- a black silhouette he saw most often- would call for him to take action.
Arlen hummed softly as he went through the store. He spotted a man who looked around his own age standing there, looking around. He came up to him. "Hey, do you need help? New around here?" he asked, a soft hint of an Irish brogue poking through his voice.
Vaughn just about flinched as he was pulled from his daze like thoughtful state, listening to the whispers hiss softly. He looked over at the male that approached him, lips parted in the slightest as he contained his demeanor. “Oh, I’m alright- thank you though. I am new here-..” he started before glancing the male up and down,”-officer.”
Arlen gave him a quick smile. "I'm not on duty right now, don' worry." he replied. "And you're welcome." he looked around, and grabbed something off the shelf, placing it in his cart. "Sure you don't need help with anythin'? I'd be glad to help."
Vaughn returned the smile in his own sort of warm manner. He glanced to where the figure’s hands were rested on the officer’s shoulders. It had no facial expressions except a gaping mouth full of thousands of rotting fangs. The figure grinned at Vaughn and he got goosebumps up his arms. He wished it would leave and let him talk to someone. “Well.. I can’t find the milk,” he said with an embarrassed little chuckle.
Arlen nodded. "Right this way, then." he replied, turning and leading Vaughn through a few aisles, to the refrigerated section. "Milk's right here." he gestured with a hand, turning to Vaughn with another warm smile. "I'm Arlen James, by the way."
Vaughn follower after the male, taking note of where everything was in the store. He looked over at the officer when they stopped, flashing a quick smile. “Thanks,” he replied, taking the gallon of milk and putting it in his cart. “I’m Vaughn Spencer.” He never used his own last name. It was soiled. Soiled and ruined by the hideous and infamous crime connected to it.
"No problem. Welcome to the town, Vaughn." Arlen replied with a little smile. "It's good to meet you." There was still that soft Irish brogue, that softened his voice and his consonants.
Vaughn’s head tilted in the slightest at the noticeable accent. It was nice, he’d never met someone with an accent- besides a southern one, that is. “Thank you, it’s very nice to meet you too, Arlen,” he hummed in reply. The male was going to hate him soon, with what he was planning to do. That made him anxious. Cops hated him- he didn’t understand why either, he was a hero.
Arlen pulled down coffee creamer, taking a look at it before setting it in his cart. "Well…" He thought for a moment, then pulled out a piece of paper with his number scribbled on it, holding it out to Vaughn. "This might be a bit inappropriate of me. But uhm…if you want or need somebody to hang out with, or you're just bored, you can shoot me a call or a text. I may not always answer right away, because I've got my shifts at the station, but I'll always answer eventually."
(Hi- sorry for being gone! I had to work all day yesterday and then this morning I had a college visit!)
Vaughn watched Arlen write his contact information on the slip of paper. A light, pleased smile formed on his lips. “Yeah, thanks,” he said, taking the slip and tucking it away in his pocket. “I’ll definitely call or send you a text,” he added with a confirming nod.
(hey. It's totally fine, dont worry about it!)
Arlen smiled. "Alright. Is there anything else I can help you with right now?" He asked, looking at Vaughn. His reddish hair hung into his face a little bit, though he didn't really seem to notice.
Vaughn shook his head. Arlen was kind but he was itching to go do research on a man who lived in the town. “No, that’s it. Thank you for your help, though,” he hummed with a warm smile.
Arlen nodded. "Alright then. I'll see you later." He replied, heading towards the checkout. "Let me know if you need anything, like I said."
“Will do!” Vaughn replied in a delighted tone. When Arlen walked away, he looked over at the figure as his reality distorted, the lights holding a deep red tint and there was a sickening stench. “He doesn’t seem like a bad man,” he said softly to the grinning figure.
Arlen checked out, humming softly as he did. Vaughn had seemed like an interesting person. He hoped that the other male would take him up on the offer and contact him.
Vaughn watched as the figure sneered at him and he furrowed his brow. “Don’t be unkind,” he snapped at it quietly before heading to the checkout area to pay for the few things that he had purchased. He needed to get out as soon as possible, he had so much work to do.
Arlen hummed softly, and took his bags of groceries to his car. He was going to head home now, and crash. Well, sleep. Watch TV and sleep. Today had been a long day, and he suspected tomorrow would be too.
Vaughn paid with cash. He couldn’t have a card- just in case. He went out to his car and put the things in the passenger side. It was an older, grey, 2015 honda civic with dark windows. He glanced to the duffel bag in the back seat, knowing inside would be various folders, weapons, clothes, and more. He glanced at the mask that was inside- one painted black with a grinning, gaping mouth, thousands of messily scribbled fangs in the mouth. It matched the figure almost. He glanced at the figure, then back at his mask. He wore that when killing. He zipped the bag shut.
Arlen pulled out of the lot, and headed home. He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel to the beat of the music. He needed to take a shower, too, he realized. So. Shower, then pass out while watching TV. That was his plan. He smiled a little, but kept his focus on driving.
Vaughn started the car and drove down the road to a nearby motel, getting a room for a few nights. He already had a target, he wasn’t planning to stay long. He carried all of his bags into his room and locked the door behind him, setting up things like his laptop and unpacking his bags. He kicked the duffel under the bed, not needing those for a moment. He could have sworn he saw something under the bed. He leaned down and when he did, a cold, rotting hand grabbed his wrist. A yelp left his lips and he jerked away, tumbling to the floor in a curled up position, hands shielding his head from danger.
Arlen, arriving home, wasted no time in getting into the shower, relaxing under the hot spray of water that beat down on his head. He hummed softly as he washed off, and changed into his pajamas when he was done. He fed his fish, then flopped down on his bed with a tired sigh, turning on the TV and putting on something he knew he could fall asleep to.
Vaughn eventually uncurled after a moment and looked under the bed again, seeing nothing there besides some dust and his duffel bag. It wasn’t real. But it felt real. It always does. He climbed to his feet and stripped off his clothing. Just another day. He wanted to make this quick. He dug through his clothes and found the slip of paper Arlen had given him. After a moment of thought, he typed the number into his phone and sent a message that read, ‘It’s Vaughn, from the supermarket. I’m glad I met you. Let’s meet up soon. xx’
Arlen groaned when his phone went off, and fumbled for it to answer. He unlocked it. 'Oh, hey. Yeah same. Sure, when do you have in mind?' he texted back, smiling a little. He wasn't quite sure why Vaughn had added those x's, but didn't really mind.
Of course Vaughn had added those x’s to show interest, but he wasn’t sure if Arlen had gotten the point. He huffed and tutted softly. He looked back at his phone and typed up another reply. ‘We could go to the movies or something like that sometime?’
Arlen raised an eyebrow a little. 'Are you asking me this as a date, or as friends?' He replied. He debated whether or not to send it, then finally hit send before he could chicken out of it. He bit his lower lip as he waited for the response.
Vaughn read over the text that he was sent and laughed softly. Silly Arlen. The male was so oblivious in a way. ‘On a date, of course, if you’re into that,’ he replied before setting the phone aside. He put a pair of sweats on and climbed under the covers before picking up his phone once again.
Arlen smiled. 'I swing both ways, so yeah, totally.' He replied, chuckling softly. He stretched, changing position in his bed to be a bit more comfortable. 'What movie did you wanna see? And what time?' He would have to check with his shift schedule before finalizing any plans, of course.