A loving warmth fills the diner gifting those inside a feeling of safety and bittersweet memories. A feeling that most don't notice their first time in the diner as with newcomers there is no connection, no feeling behind these walls. But to those that grew up having Saturday breakfasts with their loved ones, the diner becomes a way of being with those loved ones after they are gone. It is almost as when they’re eating buttered pancakes or steaming waffles that their loved ones are eating with them.
The soothing music of the jukebox gives all inside a feeling of peace and safety. But as quick as peace comes it leaves. With little wasted time Serana grabs a long flash light from the back and her and Camille make their way out into the empty streets. The cold unforgiving darkness of night threatens to take over as they walk further from the diner's neon lights, Serana flicks on the flashlight, handing it to Camille before taking a smaller one from her purse. Only having one car and not having planned on Camille showing up out of the blue they decided to walk and as Larry still needed a way to get home and it was only going to get darker.
“Sorry I only had one with me, I had to take the one Larry keeps in the back. You should've seen the dust on it. I swear it must have sat there since we opened the dinner.”
“It's fine, and since the batteries aren't dead I’m going to go out on a limb and say Larry changes them regularly” Camille gives a soft smile.
In half a mile the paved streets fade to harsh dirt and the sidewalks dissolve. Along the side of the road Camille and Serana continue forward as they near a crammed junkyard.
“We should probably get past here fast. This place is crawling with riff-raff during the day so I don’t even want to think about what it’s like at night.” Serana remarks. Camille nods and quickens her pace. A stabbing pain rushes out of her spine, racing down to her feet. She stands stiff, unable to move forward. Serana takes a few steps forward but ,noticing Camille's absence, turns to her.
“Camille, are you ok?
“I….I’m fine”
“ You’re clearly not.”
“I said I’m fine.”
“And I know better. Is this the same spinal injury from the accident or is this something new?”
“I don’t know….I have always had pain when I walk but this…..this feels…different.” Camille manages to get out between deep breaths. Taking deep breaths was just one of many tricks she picked to help manage her pain but it is a reliable one.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
“But really, I’m fine.”
“Sure you are, that’s why you're stopped on the side of the road struggling to speak.” Serana wraps her arm around Camille’s back taking some of the pressure off her leg.
“So tell me, besides your leg, what else is wrong? And shouldn’t you have some kind of pain pills or something to help with this?”
“Well yes, but my doctors thought it would be best to avoid medication given my...history.”
Serana nods understanding. She eyes the black leg brace Camille can only guess what she’s thinking. How much does that brace help if she can’t walk?
They continue forward, slowing their pace to accommodate Camille’s leg. a film of shadows linger behind them: a pair of brown eyes pierces through the shadow fixated on the pair yards ahead of them. A figure dressed in a large black hoodie works to close the gap, hands tucked deeply into their pockets.
Serana readjusts her arm as they pass by the junkyard but soft footfalls behind her cause her to turn. Her light envelopes the hooded men in light as he stands merely feet away Serana taps Camille on the shoulder as a distinct metallic click sends Camille’s gaze towards the figure. Flashlight in hand she points it at him and the gleam of silver blinds her. a silver pistol.
“Keep walking or I will shoot.” A voice from behind pierces the crisp fall air with it’s forceful tone. Camille stares at the man. How’d I not hear him? If he was following us for long I should have heard something. We are on a dirt road, even sneakers would make some noise. He must of came out of the junkyard. It is close enough that by the time I would of heard anything he would have been right in our face.
Fear creeps into Camille’s mind as she notices the gun. This doesn't matter right now. I have to do something before we find out why they’re holding a gun. Her fear melds to anger as she glares at the figure.
“Camille, he has a gun, we should do what he says for now.” Serana urges the redhead, her eyes filled with fear.
“Like hell I will” Camille takes her arm from around Serana and dashes towards her target. Without hesitation the pistol points to Serana before a flash of light lights up the night and a deafening bang rings.
Camille turns in an instant. Before her sits Serana, clutching her stomach as scarlet blood seeps through her navy blue shirt as the crimson trickle evolves to a flood. Camille remains motionless. The pain from her spine to her leg feels overwhelming but her physical pain is meaningless. Her throat swells as she attempts to force out something, anything. No! Not again. I’ve already lost a mother. I can't lose another one.
A dismal crowd empties out of the junkyard. All of them dressed in dingy clothes, and unkempt hair. Upon hearing the gunshot they are reluctantly curious to see what caused it but when they look out, all they see is Serana, Camille and a silver pistol lying in the dirt.
A jet black raven glides through the thick air before descending onto the edge of the nearby fence. Its blank eyes look to the lady and the pool of crimson that ruptures from her. Rumbles of thunder ripple through the streets as a gentle pitter patter begins turning the firm ground to pools of water and dirt to mud.