SCRATCH

" Somebody help! ", I screamed.

The Herculean man pointed the gun at me from the old lady. His grip on the gun was stable and sure.

I was shaken. Scared. Insecure. I clamped my fists so hard and closed my eyes. I was frustratingly upset.

A heavy cloud of silence filled the entire room. Everyone was terrified.

The other two men began to walk around the store making, silly faces at us. It was embarrassingly foolish if you'd ask me. But there was nothing none of us could do at this point.

I heard a thumping crispy sound and I opened my eyes. The muscular man was walking towards me real slowly. I froze. My heart and pulse began to compete with one another. At this point, my legs weakened. This was the end. I wish I could have told Tristan how much I loved him.

His tattoos were more visible as he came closer. When he was only a few inches away, he stood and dropped the gun to the floor.

"Don't hurt me", I whispered with fear and flutter.

He took his vest off and exposed the nakedness of his Hirsute and moist chest. It revealed a huge dark scar running from his lower chest to his navel. He must have been hurt.

Little did I notice that I reached out and touched the genesis of his scar. I trailed it down with my index finger to where it ended and looked up to him. Instantly, there was a connection. I don't know what kind, but it's like I understand his pain.

" Scratch my back", he finally commanded as he gave me his back.

The first thing I noticed was his broad shoulders. Muscular and Potent. It carried the largest tattoo on his upper body.

Hezekiah. His name was Hezekiah.

This was the weirdest thing I'd ever seen or imagined. A man walks into a store, points a gun at two people, only to have his back scratched? Wow. The world had more psychopaths than I ever imagined.

I gently and smoothly scratched his back while giving his shoulders a little unprofessional massage. I continued to do this until I found a rhythm and his tensed shoulders fell into relaxation.

I slowly moved my hands down till I settled them on his backpack and massaged it gently. I continued to do this and soon enough I heard him groan and sigh into relaxation.

I looked at his back from his shoulder blades down to his ass crack. He is black. He is beautiful. He is buff. He is alpha.

I stared at his back and paused. Memories flashed of how I used to do this to Katlego. Katlego loved the way I'd scratch, massage, and play with his back till his itch was satisfied. While I was lost in thoughts, the man that gave me his back, suddenly turned.

I quickly snapped back into reality and realized that I could lose my life any second now.

" Thank you", he said in a low but proud tone.

I forcefully smiled after a second or two. I nodded my head in acknowledging the appreciation.

He picked up his vest from the floor and quickly wore it while still facing me. He turned and began to walk away. 

" You forgot your ... Um ... guu .. gun'', I said with so much fear as I bent down to pick it up with intention of handing it over to him.

"Keep it!", he yelled without turning or changing his tone.

"It's a token of appreciation '', he continued to say without turning.

How rude. How disrespectful. I was becoming hot with anger. Yet, I dare not accept it. It was a matter of life and death. Or life and death.

His countenance was threatening enough.

I quickly opened my bag while trembling and packed the gun. 

He proceeded to head out of the shop as his bodyguards followed behind. He never turned. He just went forward.

" Do you know him? Is he your boyfriend?", a tiny voice asked.

I turned and noticed the old lady who had earlier on been pointed the gun at, was right beside me. She was leaning on the counter still shaken and confused.

"No ma, I don't even know him", I embarrassingly said as I looked at my shoes.

I felt guilty and looked around the shop. I realized everyone was looking at me like an enemy. This made the place get hotter.

I quickly rushed to the till and paid for my soda and off I went. I was walking but yet unaware of my environment.

Who is that guy? Where is he from? Why do I feel like I know him? I was more concerned with who he was unlike what I'd do with the gun.

Why would he enter a shop with a gun and not Rob anyone? Not hurt anyone?  So much for a back scratch, I thought.

The next thing I heard was a thud. I had accidentally bumped into someone's shoulder.

I almost fell to the ground but picked my balance right before I did. I lifted my head and saw a skinny good looking man frightened.

" I'm... I'm so sorry. Are you okay? I didn't mean to..." he said almost touching my face.

"It's ok. You look familiar. Do I know you from somewhere?'' I asked while avoiding his fragile touch.

He grinned his face and nodded his head in disapproval.

" Sorry. I must have confused you with someone else", I said with so much embarrassment.

I hurriedly walked past him and started jogging.

I looked back and saw his weird walk and remembered.

He is the weirdo I matched on tinder the other night. I created a tinder account the night Mr Mdnase called it quits with our relationship. I was matching everyone out of frustration. He got his fair share.

I didn't stop jogging until I reached the gate. I input my fingerprint and got in. I further on jogged till the doorstep. I sat on the porch for a second to entirely catch up with my breath.

My pulse and heartbeat in competition for a while. Finally, they all subsided and caught up with one another. Little did I know there was something more for me today.

I opened the apartment door to a hundred-thousandths of roses. I knew they were from him; he had found me.