Freewrite Friday 8/2/2019: The Beholder Pt. 1

This week's Freewrite Friday is going to be a little different, as you can already tell. I like to challenge myself with different exercises once in awhile, and this one is no different. For the next couple of weeks, I'm going to post increments of this short story "The Beholder," that I wrote in fifteen minute increments and cleaned up a little before posting on here. Since I plan on posting some of my longer stories on Wattpad soon, I thought this would be a great start in getting comfortable with writing serials. So please enjoy, and let me know if you like, The Beholder Pt. 1!

I didn’t fall in love with him at first. I was working at the grocery store when he came through my line with a pint of strawberries and cheap champagne. He flashed me a strained smile and his gray eyes bore into me, flatly. He was just another customer, so I gave him the same blank look I gave all the other customers in return. 

I scanned his items, told him the price, and when he handed me his cash he winked at me. The two things I distinctly remember about him were those eyes and his oddly long fingernails. When I returned his change, his pointer nail jabbed into my palm. It was only after he walked away with his spoils, did I notice the little gouge he left in my hand.

I was kind of wigged out about it, so I closed my line while another customer was piling up her week’s groceries on the checkout counter. Through her curses, I ran to the employee’s bathroom, and scrubbed at my hand with soap and antibacterial gel until the entire palm was red. It didn’t hurt, but he drew blood, and for the rest of my shift it took everything in my power not to stare at the wound. 

When my day was over, I got back to my apartment and collapsed on my bed, willing my anxious brain to calm while my tired body immediately relaxed. Soon enough I did drift off, but it was only to wake, abruptly, to a nightmare.

I couldn’t open my eyes. They were sealed shut.