Love Meets Mystery
A Love Story Begins at Lenox Mall, Atlanta GA (Part I)
#Fiction #RomanticSuspense #SupernaturalLove #FateAndDestiny
Ruth’s heels clicked on the smooth tiles of Lenox Mall, the sound swallowed by the bustle of Saturday shoppers. She was supposed to meet her sister at a boutique, but something had drawn her into the mall earlier than planned.
Maybe it was the fall air. Or, perhaps, that strange dream last night.
In it, shadows whispered her name. They pulled her through endless corridors lined with brown and black mannequins who turned to watch her. Escalators twisted into the ceiling. Storefronts had mirrors reflecting only darkness.
What did I have before bed last night?
She remembered seeing on TikTok that eating a large meal or certain types of food close to bedtime may lead to more vivid or disturbing dreams.
Well, shucks, chocolate siracha ice cream. Probably not the best idea before bed. But could that really explain mannequins staring me down? Maybe if the figures had delicious bodies that were on fire.
On the other side of the mall, Anthony strolled past storefronts, his mind far from the glossy displays.
He'd only recently moved to West End from Miami. He was adjusting to Atlanta's quieter pace compared to the vibrant Caribbean communities he grew up around. His mother had told him that this move would bring change, that something awaited him here. But right now, all he wanted was to grab a coffee and escape the busy mall.
Neither Ruth nor Anthony were looking for anyone that day. But, as they approached the same intersection of shops, a group of kids darted between them. They collided with Anthony and knocked his bag to the floor. In his effort to catch his things, his hand brushed against Ruth’s.
There was a spark — faint but unmistakable.
“Sorry about that,” Anthony said, looking up at her with an apologetic smile. His voice had that smooth Miami lilt, seasoned with just a hint of something else — an island rhythm.
Ruth smiled, feeling a strange warmth in his touch. “No worries. Looks like you need an extra hand today.”
They both chuckled. But, as their eyes locked, everything else blurred. All movement around them slowed, as if the world had paused.
At that moment, they weren’t just strangers anymore. There was something… familiar as if they had met in another life, another time.
Ruth pressed a hand to her chest. A sudden heat surged through her. Her pulse hammered so hard she felt it in her fingertips. She couldn’t explain it, but Anthony felt like someone she had always known and had always been waiting for.
“Creamery?” Ruth asked, the word slipping out before she could stop it. She mentally kicked herself — of all the places to suggest, she had to pick something so strange. She wasn’t even craving ice cream, and yet here she was, fumbling for an idea like a nervous teenager. Her lips tightened as she cursed the awkwardness bubbling up inside her.
Why did she always do this?
Anthony smiled. “I was just about to ask the same. I love Cold Stone Creamery.”
Ruth relaxed slightly and replied, though her voice wavered, “I, uh, really like the Peanut Butter & Jelly flavor… when I’m feeling the need for comfort.”
She immediately regretted oversharing again. Why couldn’t I just keep it casual… cool?
Anthony raised an eyebrow, playful but curious. “I’m making you crave comfort and security — that’s not a good sign?”
Ruth winced, then forced a laugh. “Guess I’m just that transparent.”
They spent the next hour at a small café in a quiet corner of the mall. They talked about everything from Ruth’s life in Peachtree Corners to Anthony’s Caribbean roots. Ruth felt a magnetic pull to him. She couldn't resist it. Anthony felt the same. Their connection ran deeper than any casual chat.
But as their laughter echoed through the quiet space, a strange tension hung in the air, barely noticeable but impossible to ignore. Ruth’s smile faltered for a split second, as if something unseen had shifted between them.
Neither of them could have guessed what was coming next.
© Scarlet Ibis James 2024, All Rights Reserved.
What do you think is lurking between Ruth and Anthony? If you enjoyed the suspense and connection between these two, hit that like button and let us know in the comments: Do you think Ruth and Anthony will face the darkness together, or will it tear them apart? Share your theories on what’s haunting their bond! 🔮👉🏾 Let’s see how many of you sense what’s coming next!
(¯`*•.¸,¤°´✿.。.:* 𝒮𝒸𝒶𝓇𝓁ℯ𝓉 𝐼𝒷𝒾𝓈 𝒥𝒶𝓂ℯ𝓈 *.:。.✿`°¤,¸.•*´¯)
Author of “Scarlet Yearnings: Stories of Love and Desire”
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