𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐑: matteo – the chain @griefbound 𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍: pinewood laundromat, july 5th, 11:15 pm
school had been out for two weeks now, although this summer doesn't feel like the others she has spent in magnolia creek. lettie has become accustomed to unpleasant visions dreams, but hearing the students whisper about alarmingly similar images and watching as the pale skin beneath their eyes grows darker leaves her feeling uneasy.
the fog refuses to disperse, the birds have fled well before they usually do, and her neighbor's cat hasn't been seen in weeks. the cherry on top was that 'hardly used' secondhand washing machine she'd purchased choosing tonight to sing its swan song. so here she sits, gaze shifting from the washer trying desperately to remove oberon's gift and the well-loved book in her hands. at least it's quiet, the building empty. if she pretends not to notice the flickering light towards the backroom, it's almost peaceful.
the bell above the door chimes, and lettie looks over without thinking. the face is familiar, although it's clear he has had better days. "matteo," she greets, ever polite, trying not to let her gaze linger on the marks across his face.