I walked past home, hands in my pockets with a little bit of an ache in my chest. I could see Laura through the window, watching tv, checking her phone. I couldn't go in and face her, but I needed clothes. I'd get them later. Another text. Anothing thing to do later.

Shaking my head I walked to the closest shopping strip. The usual things, the second hand shops, supermarket, gas station, and that one high end store that really shouldn't be there.

There, in the window of the second hand shop, was a warm black sweater, with a white border, tightly knitted, with stripes. It almost looked floral patterned, but too eight-bit to make out. I stared at it for a moment, before looking through my bag. I had a grand total of fifty dollars, it better be enough.

I sauntered into the thrift store. Glancing at the second hand jewelry, I couldn't bring myself to pick up one of the chains. They looked used, some were grimy, some weren't. It felt wrong. It was something he hadn't had in a while, I had to get something at least decent. Wait, since when did I care that much? I shook my head and cautiously approached a worker about to rearrange the hat display in the front window.

'Excuse me?' I asked quietly as they whipped around. Great. It was the old woman with hair and makeup that hadn't left nineteen eighty. I was going to be clutching at straws with politeness on this one.

'Yeah?'

'Could I uh, buy that black and white sweater?'

'It's really nice, new. It's only been in about two weeks. I'm surprised though.' She continued, after all I could say was a polite oh. 'It's a bit feminine. I'm surprised that it's being bought by a male.' That got my blood boiling. Who even says that?

'Oh, it's just a sweater, so... I'm sure it'll be fine..' I retorted meekly as she took the sweater from the mannequin. She folded it so nicely and neatly, before putting it into a plain plastic bag.

'I don't need a bag thankyou.' The woman took it out from the bag and placed it back on the counter. There were still tags on there.

'Five dollars.' I handed her the fifty. Forty five left. Still had a bit to get, and not much to stretch.

As soon as I grabbed the sweater, I ripped off the tags and pulled it over my head. It was a bit big, one or two sizes, but it was warm and comfortable. I gave her a sickly sweet smile before leaving the eighties woman behind as quickly as I could. God, if Wilford were there, he would have shot the woman. Though, he used any excuse to shoot anyone.

I walked over to the next shop. A small jewelry store. There was only one counter, some second hand trash on sale in the corner.

'Hi, how can I help you?' The man asked, his voice sugar coated. I pursed my lips.

'I need something under forty five, that's a chain and nice enough.'

'Right, we have some sale items if you're not interested in the second hand. Just over here,' he walked over to a stand. 'Are you looking for a male or female chain?'

'Male, thank you. And uh,' I leant over the counter after checking the other two people in the small shop, 'It has to be suitable for prison.' I whispered.

The man nodded, not looking surprised at all. He showed me a couple of the sale items, and there it was. The perfect silver chain. Not too thick, but not thin enough to snap immediately. It was a gleaming silver and had the smallest little cross on it. That was the only way it was going to be accepted. I smiled even bigger when I saw the price tag. Twenty five dollars!

'Thank you so much, I'll take that one, the one next to the rose gold chain.' I pointed at it, leaving a smudged fingerprint on the clean glass.

Fumbling with my money I slid twenty five across the glass count. Without another word, he reached behind the counter and wrapped it up. I didn't even ask for gift wrapping. 'Thanks!' I smiled before clutching the bag and heading to my next port of call. Which I couldn't remember what it was. I could have sworn there was something I needed to do before I went back home. Right! The cafe. I checked my phone, nothing.

Walking along, I turned into the dodgy cafe around the corner. The smell of strawberry pastries was welcoming.

'Hey Evan! You're not on until tomorrow remember? The three till six shift, closing?' Maria called from behind the register. I shook my head. 'You didn't get the text?'

I checked my phone again, there it was, saved to my home screen. The roster pdf.

'I'll be there!'

'Good because you missed your last shift.' She frowned at me, 'This isn't like you Evan. You need to be more responsive.' She admonished.

I hung my head and looked down sheepishly, shrugging my shoulders. 'See you tomorrow.'

Now there was nothing else to it. I had to go home. I needed another bag and some more clothes, maybe even to do a load of washing. Taking a deep breath I headed back to the townhouse. One of the blinds was closed, and it was hard to see in.

Struggling with my keys, I walked up to the door and tried to open it silently. Of course the door had other ideas and creaked loudly as I opened it. As I shut the door, I squinted, hoping that Laura was out.

No such luck.

'Evan! You've been avoiding me! Don't run to your room,' she pleaded as I turned away. I couldn't explain, so I had no idea how to even look her in the eyes. 'What's the box? And the sweater, that's new. Can you just talk to me?'

'Laura. I, I wish I could but-'

'What the hell is that supposed to mean! Stop hiding. Just tell me.'

'I can't! You wouldn't understand.'

'Then explain! Then I might have at least a chance. All you do is run in and out with a bag of clothes. Where are you staying? I just want to know.'

'Well, Laura. I can't,' I choked, 'I can't. I can't.'

'Then just answer this. Are you happy there?' She asked, her voice measured.

I had to think about it. No. I wasn't happy there, but it wasn't too bad. Dark scared me, so did Wilford, but I had a lock on my door and I wasn't trapped in the basement. And I did get to live a normal life, for the most part. And be a begrudging messenger between Dark and a prisoner. Not that it was too bad.

'I guess.'

The answer seemed to satisfy her a little and she let me go. I walked up to my small room and gathered up some more clothes. It was time to do laundry. Picking up my warm pajamas, I snuggled them close to my chest. How I missed them! So soft and fluffy. After folding the items into my bag, I lay down on the bed. The pillow felt strange. Like it wasn't mine.