Visiting at Coffee Shop

Emily’s phone buzzed again, it would not take a fortune teller to know it was Brooke texting her. sadly her prayers were not answered, there was no hottie in the town to keep her away and she had been texting Emily since eight in the morning to count down the time before she would go to their home. It was nearing evening and she didn’t seem to have any other choice left. She pulled her jeans over her slim legs and thought about the coffee shop, where she had planned to meet Brooke. The ghouls seemed to only operate when there were only a few humans around, it made the coffee shop a safe space. She would talk to Brooke briefly, make up some weird story of visiting a long-lost uncle, if Brooke bought it, fine. If she didn’t she would just have to plead with her best friend to trust her.
Logan wasn’t in his office when she had a look-in. he was out doing the “important stuff” she thought drily. She tugged Rabid along.
“hello beautiful,” a voice called as she neared the haven’s perimeter. A man stepped out from behind a tree. he had a warm smile on his face and looked at her like he knew her. she backed away from him warily. Even Rabid growled at him.
He lifted his hands to show he meant no harm. “you’re Miss Emily. I was one of the men you rescued from the well, I saw you heading out and thought I should follow.
“I don’t need company.” She fired.
“That’s alright miss, just don’t want to see you getting hurt out there, the bad man could still be roaming around. I know what we endured down in that well, I won’t wish it on anyone else.”
He concluded. Emily sighed, her caution waning. he seemed honest enough, and it was stupid to let paranoia get to her.
“It’s okay. I’m just going out to see a friend at the coffee shop nearby. I’ll be back before it’s dark.”
“and it’ll be just you and the dog? Maybe you should go back for a bit more security.”
“I’ll be fine. I'll be back in Wolf City before anyone even realizes I’m gone okay?”
“I’ll take your word for it.” they exchanged smiles ignoring Rabid even as he bared his teeth at the stranger. He was good-looking, not Logan but there was an element to him that she couldn’t figure out. It could simply be the fact that he smiled so easily.
“I’ll be on my way now…”
“Otis. Are you certain you want to go alone?”
“yes, I am Otis.”
“Alright. I’ll see you when you get back Miss Emily.”
He gave her a tender glance before turning around and leaving. She couldn’t help but think, that was the kind of look she wished Logan would give her.


The café was crowded, just as she had expected. Brooke was flirting with a waiter who looked like he wanted to escape badly. she made a beeline for her and engulfed her in a hug.
“I’ve missed you so much,” Emily said, her voice muffled in Brooke’s fluffy sweater.
“Miss you too love. Whose dog is that?” she watched in amusement as Rabid sniffed her out.
“mine. His name is rabid.”
“feels like I’ve spent months away from you. Did you get a dog? Why’d you buy a big one?”
“he’s not mine mine, he’s the dog of a friend. “
“look at you blushing, what friend is this, I can’t be mad at you if it’s a guy.”
Emily giggled blushing even more. She sure missed Brooke and the way the world was uncomplicated with her. Brooke pestered her even more till she spilled, leaving out werewolves and ghouls and the wolf city hidden in their town.
“So what you’re saying is, you met this guy while you were cleaning, he saved you from a robber who went psycho and tried to rob you again in your house.”
“yes…”
“And then this perfect-rich gentleman sweeps you and the rest of your family to stay with him till this weirdo is caught?”
“yeah,” Emily confirmed she was impressed with how the story flowed out of her.
“That’s the stuff of novels, man. Wow. But you guys are okay though?” Emily thought of her mother locked up in her room for nearly a week, and her brother who wouldn’t talk to her unless they were punching at each other.
“yeah, perfect.” The timer she set on her watch went off and Rabid lifted his head. “it’s time for us to go.” She told Brooke. They hugged again when they were outside.
“Remember what I said okay? No following strange guy anywhere and get home early.”
“yes, my sweet mommy-plus…you know I’m always packing.” Brooke winked at her and laughed when she rolled her eyes. Whatever get home safe okay?”
Emily waited till Brooke had turned the corner before she started on her way in the opposite direction, Rabid trotting in front of her.
Rabid abruptly stopped, his hackles raised. He began barking at the corner they were going to pass. She called his name softly, praying he was just being a dog. He may have seen a mouse or a bird. A heart pounded in her chest as she backed away from the alley, pulling Rabid forcibly. There was no way she could face a ghoul alone, the only other option was to run back to the café.
Two ghouls emerged from the shadows, with sickening smiles plastered on their faces.
“You and your alpha friend pissed master, he says we get to kill you now.”