Things take an unexpected turn (surprisingly wholesome?)

Authors Note: If you are exclusively reading this with the hopes of there being more sex and descent into degeneracy, then this branch going forward will disappoint you. I won't spoil any of the ideas I have for upcoming chapters, but I will say you likely won't see anymore sex. If my motivation keeps up, then once this branch is finished I will return to the previous chapter and continue on a different branch with more degenerate shenanigans as Rachael's life falls even further apart. Don't hold me to it, though. I'm as fickle as the wind.

Rachael woke up to the sound of clattering from the front door. She looked around the room to see that Earl was no where to been seen. She hopped off the bed, trying not to make a sound. Her eyes scanned the room, looking for her clothes. Much to Rachael's dismay, her clothes were just as easily found as Earl. Standing completely nude, Rachael assumed the worst. Earl had stolen her clothes and was likely planning to do horrible things to her. She had to escape. Making her way to the door, Rachael had just reached out for the doorknob when there was a knock. The knob turned and the door opened, Earl peeking inside slowly. When Earl's eyes finally landed on Rachael, he hesitated for a moment before averting his gaze. Rachael stood, trying to cover herself.

"Ah, sorry about tha. Ur clothes are in the dryer, I'll grab em." Shuffling away and closing the door, it was only a few moments before Earl returned. Knocking before opening the door once more, he passed off a laundry basket with Rachael's clothing inside without taking a look inside the room. "The bathroom is jus' in the corner if you wanna shower. When ur done come inta the kitchen." Earl closed the door behind him and shuffled off once again.

Rachael was put at ease looking at her clothes, recently cleaned. Still, she didn't trust him and took as quick a shower as she could, making sure to lock the door behind her. Earl's bathroom only had men's soaps. although she was certain the man rarely used them. It was a generic brand 3-in-1, but Rachael made do. Coming out of the shower, Rachael looked in the mirror. Staring back at her was, once again, a blonde babe she couldn't recognize. Was this her life now? Who she had become? Rachael tried her best to shake off the thought and got dressed, cautiously making her way to the kitchen.

The kitchen was quaint like the rest of the place, serving as both the kitchen and dining room. Well, dining room might be stretch as the only place to eat was a small table built into the wall, only capable of sitting two people opposite each other. Earl was sitting at that little table, waiting for her come in. As Rachael stepped into the room, Earl spoke. "Good mornin. Sorry I didn't say tha earlier. If ur comfortable with it, you can sit down righ' ere." He motioned to the chair opposite him. "I ordered some food while I was out gettin groceries and the like. That's yours." The man pointed at a biscuit still wrapped in the paper, sitting at Rachael's intended spot.

Rachael slowly walked to the table and took her seat. She unwrapped the biscuit, inspecting it. It seemed fine as far as she could tell. "Um...thank you, mister. You're being...well, nicer than I would have thought." Rachael was honestly a little spooked by just how different Earl was acting compared to their previous encounters.

Earl **** a small smile at the comment. He knew what kind of man he was when he was drunk. And by the gods was he almost always drunk. "You can jus' call me Earl, and I'm afraid I can't extend hospitality for long." The man looked over at a clock on the wall. "It's already 8:30. I needta clean this place up best I can before noon, so you'll have to be on your way after you eat. Ah, right. You'll probly want somethin ta drink." Earl stood and walked over to fridge, grabbing a water bottle. Rachael watched as he went, noticing that he walked with a bit of limp in his right leg. Rachael couldn't believe she had never noticed it. Surely she wasn't so distracted by other things to notice the man was a cripple.

"Here ya go." He handed off the bottle to Rachael, noticing her inspecting his walk. "Oh, don' worry about that. Just an old injury, nothing new." The man once again took his seat, sitting down slowly and steadily. He let out an almost exerted breath once he had finally gotten in the chair. Rachael decided she wouldn't pry into the injury, even though she was curious. "So, what's happening at 12?"

The question caught Earl off guard. The man looked at Rachael and squinted in thought. After a moment, Earl decided it couldn't hurt to tell the girl. "My daughter is coming to visit. She ain't much younger than you. It's been a long while since I seen her. She won' wanta visit again if she sees the place lookin like this. Although...I don' think I left myself enough time." Leaving no room for idle chatter Earl scarfed down his breakfast and headed off into another room. Rachael watched as the man slowly assembled various cleaning supplies, his speed significantly hindered by the bum leg. He brought together a mop, vacuum, a hand duster, along with various other things. When Rachael finally had had enough of her own biscuit she stood up and grabbed the mop, doing a little pose of reassurance.

"Alright, Earl. Let's get this place cleaned up."