His deep brown eyes stared at Badonesia when she looked over her shoulder.

He was a few seats down from her, grinning as he gave a small wave.

Badonesia looked away. She was told since a child to never look at a man for no longer than three seconds or else they’ll think you like them.

She attempted to take a sip of her drink only to realize she already drunk it all. She tapped on the counter a few times to say, “Hey, Snonigo, another bourbon, please.”

“Sure can do, Badonesia.” He replied, pouring into her glass cup.

After drinking it up, her best friend playfully bumped her. “So…” Chimmerly curiously smiled.

Badonesia grinned knowing what she’s about to ask.

“How’s your marriage with Mavante?!” Chimmerly asked. “How does it feel to be a Mrs. Glelman?”

Badonesia couldn’t resist smiling. “I mean… it’s great.” She said, then looked at her friend whom seemed hungry to know more. Badonesia further explained, “Our relationship kinda feels the same. We still play video games, watch movies, go jogging together… well, at least sometimes, and we still go out to eat every now and again. All we did was officially tie the knot.”

“Wow.” Chimmerly said with dullness. “You make marriage sound unexciting.”

“Well, this is real life. Not a fairytale. The wedding was extremely fun though.” Badonesia said, then Snonigo placed another bourbon in front of her. “I didn’t ask for another, but thanks.” She said chucking it down in one sip. “Chimmerly, you’re driving tonight.” Getting up from her chair.

“I’m not a pervert, I promise, but I really like your tattoos.” The man said, standing in Badonesia’s way.

Badonesia glanced at her friend, then at her tattoos. Behind her white tank top was tattoos that started at her collarbones. Growing red roses, leading into her arms with fancy lines, finishing at her hands with red roses again.

“Thanks.” Badonesia responded, walking around the man, her friend followed suit.

“Where’d you get your tattoos done at?” The man asked, trying hold her attention.

Badonesia glanced at her friend again. “Um, I did it myself.” She answered.

“Really!” The man widened his eyes. “Can I have your number? I would like for you to do mines.”

“I’m not an official tattoo artist.” Badonesia said.

“Oh.” The man dejectedly dropped his head down. “Well, how about just doing me?”

Badonesia glanced at her friend again. “No thanks. Sorry.” Then she and her friend walked out the door.

The man followed her out. “Can I at least give you my number just in case you change your mind?” He asked.

“Fuck off!” Chimmerly snapped as they got in the car.

They sped off, leaving the man in a saddened state.

***

Badonesia felt the sun nicely exhilarating on her face early in the morning. Then out of the blue, Mavante tapped her on her big round nose saying, “You’re very ugly when you snore.”

Badonesia smiled as she responded, “And you’re handsomely ugly when you drool.”

“Touché.” He said.

Badonesia stretched her arms out and groaned. “What time is it?”

“Eleven o’clock.”

“Oh my, I better get to the store before it gets crowded.” Badonesia jumped out of bed.

“You cooking tonight?” Mavante asked as she grabs a pair of sweats.

“Yeah, I’m making spaghetti tonight. Chimmerly’s coming too.”

“Cool, I’ll have my cousin come over.”

“I thought Sethaniel didn’t like spaghetti?” Badonesia questioned.

“He doesn’t like your spaghetti, that’s why he’s gonna come help you.” Mavante told her.

“Whatever.” Badonesia rolled her eyes, grabbing her keys as she strolled to the front door.

***

“Thank goodness.” Badonesia said, entering the store. It wasn’t too many people in sight roaming around.

She grabbed her cart and strolled inside. She made a left at the entrance, firstly looking for sauce, but she halted, eyes widened, and she felt her heart stop.

Badonesia immediately turned her cart around to go a few isles down. She figured she look for noodle strings instead. After finding them, Badonesia rushed to the end of the isle to see if he’s there, in the meat section. He wasn’t, but an old man who looked to be about sixty years old was.

Badonesia sped to the meat section, grabbed whatever meat she was looking for then, without thinking, she tried to speed off again. She bumped somebody.

“Whoa, whoa, there!” The old man said, holding his hands out in front of the cart.

“Oh, I’m so sorry!” Badonesia quickly apologized. “I was just-”

The old man held his hand in the air, like an unseen force silenced her. “It’s quite alright.” He said. “I’ll stay out your way next time.” He joked.

Badonesia lips curled up as she felt a sense of relief. “Okay.” She said, moving around him.

She rushed to the initial first isle she was gunning for, only to bump into someone again when entering.

“It’s you!” The man smiled, holding Badonesia’s cart.

Badonesia’s heart dropped, but she wasn’t gonna break her stoic expression. “Yeah…” she replied, then tried to move around him, but he held her cart in place.

“Look,” he began. “I felt I may have came at you too strong at the bar last night.”

Badonesia politely smiled. “It’s okay.” She said, trying to move around him again. He let her, yet he followed her.

“I would still like a tattoo from you.” He said. “I really like your artistry.”

“I’m sorry but I’m married.” Badonesia responded, grabbing her jar of sauce.

“That’s what they all say.” The man responded back.

“No, seriously.” Badonesia stopped the cart to raise her hand in his face. “I’m married.” Then she proceeded towards the checkout line.

“Would you just allow me to give you my number?” The man said.

“I’m good. Now can you please leave me alone.” Badonesia said, putting her groceries on the checkout counter.

“Come on! Please!”

“Hey!” The male cashier barked. He got everyone’s attention. “The lady doesn’t want to be bothered, so leave her alone.”

“This has nothing to do with you, sir!” The man retorted, trying to put his attention back on Badonesia.

“I don’t care!” The cashier retorted back. “Leave. Her. Alone.”

The man glared at the cashier, a stare down ensued between the two, making the customers around immensely uncomfortable.

After a minute, the man decided to give up and move on.

Badonesia got her groceries checked out peacefully. Before she walked out, the cashier asked, “Do you want me to walk you out, ma’am?”

Badonesia glanced out the door. “No. I’ll be fine.” She answered after a ruminating about it.

“Are you sure?” The cashier questioned.

“Yes.” Badonesia said, going to her car.

Since she didn’t get a lot of groceries except just the ingredients she needs to make spaghetti, she placed the cart in the cart section, and grabbed her few bags.

Fortunately for her, because no one really showed up to the store, her car wasn’t that far away. Badonesia tossed her bags in the passenger seat, then sat down to inject her keys into the engine.

Suddenly she felt pinch her neck.

“You made do this.” The man said sitting behind the driver’s seat, watching her fall asleep.

***

He couldn’t help himself. Mavante’s body felt too dead to get off a rocking chair that he wasn’t even rocking in.

He only stared straight, straight out of a window where it’s nothing but trees, grass, and moving branches that sound like it’s about to break off.

The wooden door pushes open. “Mavante, get up! I didn’t bring you to the cabin to mope around.” Sethaniel said, shutting the door behind him.

Mavante didn’t respond, nor did he turn around to face Sethaniel.

“Mavante!” Sethaniel yelled.

“Why didn’t she tell me?” Mavante despondently said. “I mean I would’ve had her back hundred percent. She knows this. Why didn’t that cashier step outside to see if she made it to her car safely despite her request not to. I mean I know she parked out of frame from the entrance, but somebody could’ve saw something, right? Like no one saw the man sneak into her car and kidnapped her when she got inside?!”

Sethaniel stood behind him feeling sorrow for him. “Look, Mavante, I know you’re upset but it’s been a year, and no one has found Badonesia or Kilareayl.”

“Don’t say his name!” Mavante snapped, startling his cousin. “I’ll kill that man if it’s the last thing I do!”

“Alright, I won’t mention his name anymore.” Sethaniel consented. “Now put on your jacket and let’s take a walk in nature. It’ll give you a peace of mind.”

“Nothing can give me a peace of mind, not even you.” Mavante said.

“Put on your fucking jacket and let’s go!” Sethaniel snarled.

Mavante allowed a minute to go by before slouching off the chair to grab his jacket from the the couch aside.

He followed Sethaniel throughout the woods. He barely said a word. Eventually their feet squelched through the mud, which means the river is near.

“Are we crossing the river?” Mavante inquired.

“Yeah,” Sethaniel answered. “But we’ll be fine. I’ve crossed the river multiple times.”

As the pair crossed the roaring river, they noticed a figure waiting for them on the other side.

“Any idea who that is?” Mavante whispered to his cousin.

“No. From the several years I been here, I’ve never seen anybody here before.”

The two just stood there waiting on the figure to make a move.

“Mavante! Sethaniel!” A female voice called out.

Mavante eyes widened. “Badonesia?” He said beginning to approach.

Sethaniel immediately grabbed him. “No, it can’t be her. Why would she be here out of all places-”

“Get the fuck off me!” Mavante snatched away from him, fighting his way through the roaring river. “Badonesia!” He called out.

“Mavante!” She called back.

When Mavante finally made it to her, she looked nothing like Badonesia. The woman’s face seemed daunting. She’d lost color in her skin, like all the joy been sucked out of her, making her look like a depressing cloud. Her teeth were as sharp as a vicious dog, and had blood-red eyes. The only thing that matched Badonesia’s appearance was her shoulder-length raven hair.

“Badonesia?” Mavante said, vaguely backing up.

The woman leapt towards him, falling under the river.

“Mavante!” Sethaniel screamed.