Sitting in the passenger seat of the pickup, Annabeth could see the outline of the town growing larger by the second. Her anxiety was slowly taking over all of her sense. She was wringing her hands in her lap, then she began to tap her foot, slowly her ears began to ring, now her breathing was beginning to turn to rapid puffs of air. Annabeth kept repeating to herself that everything would be fine, her mother hardly ever came to town since she didn't like the crowds. Unfortunately, that small chant in her head wasn't working. The feeling of something touching her hand made her jump in her seat. Looking down she saw it was Zachariah's hand and his thumb was slowly making small circles on the back of her left hand trying trying to soothe her. Surprisingly it worked. She felt her breathing slowly return to normal but the shaking of her leg stayed the same.
"Better?"
Annabeth nodded her head while burrowing into Zachariah's coat. It smelt musky and like the woods, Zachariah's smell. Even though they were basically strangers she found great comfort in Zachariah, comfort and safety.
"We need to stop at the furniture store first," Zachariah said. "I need to get another mattress for the cabin. After that we are going to stop at the clothing stores and get you some suitable clothing, whatever you want we will get as long as it will keep you warm. After that we will head to the grocery store and stock up for the month."
Annabeth just nodded along as Zachariah listed off their plans for the day. She didn't want to be her longer than necessary but she also wasn't going to tell him what to do.
"Z-Zachariah?" Annabeth whispered his name. The fear that she was feeling was choking her.
"Yes Snow?"
"You promise that you w-wont leave m-my side t-today?"
Zachariah parked the pickup in front of the mattress store and looked at Annabeth. She lloked like she was ready to break down and cry, her eyes holding nothing but pure fear. It broke his heart. What could have possibly happened to her that would not only cause her to run into the woods in freezing temperatures, but makes her so afraid that she would want to hide away from society in general?
He gently touched her face and caressed her cheek, trying to help her relax.
"Yes Snow. I will not leave your side at all today."
Nodding her head Annabeth jumped out of the pickup and waited for Zachariah. Together they entered the mattress store and before she new it they had a new mattress loaded up into the bed of the pickup. The clothing store was the same way. Annabeth made quick work in picking out a few dresses that were warmer yet comfortable, grabbing a heavy coat for the weather, and of course picking out her heavy winter boots. They were checking out when Annabeth noticed there were some added items to her pile on the counter, but she was chose not to say anything and delay their trip to town any longer.
They finally pulled into their last stop, the grocery store. Annabeth was slowly beginning to feel relief, their trip was almost over and it had been totally uneventful.
"Let's go Snow."
Looking up Annabeth realized Zachariah was holding her door open waiting for her to hop out. They made their way into the store and grabbed a cart before making their way to the grocery aisle.
"Is there anything special you are wanting for the cabin Snow?"
Zachariah looked at her waiting for reply. The shocked expression on Annabeth's face told him that she had never been asked that before.
"Um, no thank you I am alright." Annabeth whispered.
Zachariah didn't like that answer at all. If there was something she wanted all she had to do was say so and he would get it for her. It dawned on him that he had quickly become extremely protective over Annabeth and that he was almost attached to her.
As they were heading to the check out with their cart piled high with groceries, Annabeth heard a voice she never wanted to hear again.