Bitten
Chapter 21

Sunshine.

You are my sunshine.

My only sunshine.

The sun is shining through my windows and enveloping me in its warmth.

I roll over on the couch trying to get away from the light.

Vampires like the dark, who knew?

Mason is at work while I stay home and look over Hannah, who at the moment is laughing hysterically at something that is happening on the television.

Looking over at her she glances at me and throws me a smile returning her gaze at the television.

I sigh in frustration even though I love being with Hannah I know that Lindsey will try to sink her claws into Mason at work.

“Abigail we won’t need you today at work,” Wanda’s voice sounds exhausted.

“Oh okay, then I’ll tell Mason as well, thanks.” I try to make my voice sound as if I just woke up but I just sounded sick.

“Well dear, I want Mason to come in since he is new...” She stops and I can hear her slurp her coffee, I assume. My eyes go to the living room clock and it says it’s 4:23. Mason is in the shower trying his best to wake up.

“Why won’t I be working?” I sit back on the couch.

“We don’t want to be overstaffed since the health inspector is coming in today, but I will call you if we need you.” Wanda takes another sip of her drink and then yawns loudly into the receiver.

“Okay, bye.”

Shortly after that Mason left and now it is just Hannah and me in this small apartment.

My mind snaps back into reality and I look over the couch and Hannah is gone. My eyes scan the small living room like a crazed mother; Hannah is by the window looking out. She is probably tired of being cooped up inside.

“Do you want to run some errands with me?”

I ask her sweetly and she nods her head excited to finally be able to go out.

“Let’s get some breakfast first.”

Hannah and I are out of the house in a matter of minutes. Hannah in bundled up in a sweater and I have a thin black hoodie. Hannah takes my hand as we walk down the stairs and out of the building.

The sun is covered by the grey storm clouds. The breeze blowing is fresh and the people on their phones buzz by as Hannah and I take in the city scenery.

I have her on my shoulders so she could see over the people. My hands are up in the air as she uses them to keep herself balanced.

Hannah is bouncing on my shoulders trying to make me walk faster. We walk to the farmers market where Hannah appears to be entertained with everything in sight.

She takes in the aroma of all the fruits in the crates before us. I buy some fruits and vegetables the farmer at one of the stands offers Hannah a peach, but instead of eating it she smells it the entire time.

I put her back on my shoulders once again and we walk down the street when I realize where I am heading and Hannah screams in delight, “Daddy!”

Mason is throwing the water that he used to mop the floors out to the street and heads back inside.

Hannah starts wailing the second she realizes that Mason is not coming out here to greet us.

“Fine Hannah we’ll have something to eat.”

I walk her over to Starbucks and suddenly I feel nervous.

What if he isn’t happy to see us?

I swallow down my nerves and enter. The door rings as we enter and Mason is nowhere to be seen.

“Abigail,” Wanda smiles at me from behind the counter, “What a pleasant surprise, oh dear and who is this little cutie pie?” She beams at Hannah as Hannah rests her head on mine.

“Ha-,” she hiccups.

“She’s Hannah, Hannah this is Wanda. Say hello,” my eyes go up and I see Hannah wave at Wanda.

“She is adorable, so how can I help you?” She says as she puts on her professional facade.

The inspector must still be around or hasn’t arrived.

“Hmm,” I grab Hannah and put her down, “can I have a milk carton and for me, I’ll have a tall caramel-” just then Mason comes out of the back.

“Abigail? Hannah!” He looks at us surprised.

“Hey, we went out to run some errands and well Hannah saw you and wanted to come to see you...”

I need to learn when to shut up.

“This is a great surprise,” he smiles at me and then turns to look at the clock, “I’m off in ten if you want to wait for me.”

“Sure, we just ordered some drinks but we’ll wait.”

Mason nods and heads to the back once again and I watch him as the door closes behind him.

“Wow girl, you’ve got it bad.” Wanda wiggles her eyebrows at me and my eyes snap to her.

“What are you talking about?” I question.

“Earth to Abigail. I’ve seen guy after guy try to get your number and you reject them left and right not even batting an eyelash but with Mason, you just can’t keep your eyes off of him.”

“Oh stop it Wanda that is not true.”

What the hell is wrong with me?

“Keep telling yourself that,” she smirks at me, “so just the milk then?”

I nod and take the milk from her when she hands it to me. Hannah and I sit at a small table in the corner waiting for Mason.

I can’t help to glance at my cell phone the minutes seem to crawl by. Before I could check my phone for the fifth time Mason walks out of the back accompanied by Lindsey.

I can’t stop the hiss that escapes me but it is covered by Hannah slurping the last of her milk. Her big eyes go to me as her lips still suck at the straw, sensing that I need a distraction she slurps louder.

A smile pulls at the corner of my mouth but that doesn’t stop me from hearing what Mason and Lindsey are saying.

“So about Saturday let’s watch a movie or something? You can’t leave me alone Saturday my roommate is going out of town and I’m sure you know how to show a girl a good time.”

“Lindsey...” He starts but she doesn’t let him finish.

“It’s settled then see you Saturday night!”

She has the guts to get on her tiptoes and kiss him on the cheek. I stand up making sure that my chair makes an irritating sound and her eyes fly to me and she gives me a triumphant smile.

Hannah is surprised by my show that she squeals in discomfort and drops her milk.

“I’m sorry Hannah,” I pick up her carton and her up and walk to the trash where Mason is waiting for us once he took off his apron.

Mason takes Hannah out my hands and puts her on his shoulder and walks to the door holding it open for me.

“Thanks.”

I glance back and see that not just Wanda but Lindsey are staring at us in surprise.

Wanda gives me a sweet smile as Lindsey slams her apron on the counter and glares at me.

Mason wanted Chinese food. After lunch, we walk Mason back to work. I can see that Wanda looks worried through the glass window.

We walk inside and Mason hands over Hannah and walks behind the counter.

“What’s wrong Wanda?” I ask.

“The inspector is here,” her eyes fly to the door as it opens once again and the familiar scent invades my nostrils.

Not him!

I swing around keeping Hannah behind me, “Welcome Mr. Northling,” Wanda plasters on a fake smile.

His eyes go to me and they narrow as he takes me in, “Abigail,” he says huskily.

“Chris.” I seethe.

Wanda appears to be fighting a heart attack as her hand flies to her chest and she gasps, “Do you to know each other?”

“Yes,” he says.

“Hardly,” I snap at him.

The guy that tried to kill me would come into my work when I am not supposed to be here.

“What are you doing here?”

“I maintain a job to make time go by faster, just like normal people do. Who is this?”

His eyes go to Hannah and I can feel my body tremble ready to go after him if he stares at her for another second but his eyes go back to me.

He looks like a completely different person with his suit and tie instead of the hooded cloak, brown eyes instead of the glowing red ones from earlier, and he seems like a decent guy but I know what he is and he isn’t fooling me.

“Back off or do you want a repeat of last night,” I hiss under my breath making sure that no one can hear me.

He pulls out his impassive face and walks past me.

“Hello Wanda I am here to do my job,” he takes a glance at me and then heads to the back where Mason head in earlier.

God give me strength!

Like god even cares about me anymore.

I walk out of there heated and ready to rip him limb from limb. I rush home but I take a long time since Hannah is awake in my arms. I call Wes on my way home and tell him to meet me at my place.

No more friendly Abigail!

I can handle Lindsey and her whorish tendencies but another vampire coming after the people I love is another story.