A redhead walks the streets of the homely town wearing a long crimson, swallow tailed jacket, dark pants, and a similarly toned shirt. A pair of clean combat boots complete her outfit. A small but effective black brace clings to her right leg. The brisk ,harsh fall air flows along the tightly packed but humble building that line the streets. Waves of dull fall leaves spiral in the winds in demandingly cruel gusts in an attempt to unravel Camille’s tightly formed ponytail. Small groups walk along the streets, keeping to themselves.

Among the buildings and harsh wind, stands a dinner: small in size but extensive in heart. This building’s sizable sign reads “Serana’s Diner” in bold neon letters. Camille heads towards the diner, her rather noticeable limp seemingly the only thing slowing her down.

  As grasps the handle of the door her eyes stare at the posters overwhelming the glass door. A few posters manage to creep their way out of the clutter, a poster for a chess club, one for an alcoholic's anonymous meeting, and one for a missing person. Camille’s eyes narrow studying the missing persons poster. “Amanda Washington” is the name under the old photo of a dark haired girl with punk style choker and a band shirt. Under the name lies a date “Last seen August 3rd 1983” That’s two months ago, bye now she’s either dead or wishing she was. She shrugs off the notion Amanda’s not the reason I am back in Vale.

She sighs and reaches for the door handle when she hears a clang behind her. She quickly turns around but sees nothing, a few garbage cans but they can clash together on their own. Is someone following me? No, I doubt anyone even knows I’m back in Vale. Stop being so parodied Camille.

  With a gentle creak of the door, Camille steps inside the diner seemingly lost in time. The familiar clanking of plates, and humming of an old jukebox drift together making them indistinguishable from each other. The redhead’s surroundings become blurred warped images that soon turn to something entirely different.

***

  The sound melts into a cruel downpour hitting like a thousand nails dropped on a metal roof. As Camille looks around, her eyes widen. A truck so familiar has the same kind, loving father it always held. Her green eyes return to their rested state as she looks to him but a pool of sadness fills them.

  “D...Dad?”

  “Cammie why? Why did you do it!” The man’s voice was long and disortated.

  “Do...Do what?” Her words shrink away from her mouth but she is able to get something out.

  “Why did you let me die? The man turns to her as he reaches for her with hollowed eyes.

  Her eyes slowly fill with tears and is unable to respond before the truck shifts and descends leaving her behind as the man calls out “Camille! Camille! "Each call is increasingly more inpatient.

***

  In a snap the dinner comes back into focus and the jukebox plays it’s out of style music. Unlike the soothing music the green eyed girl trembles as a jolt of pain strikes her leg and spreads up her spine. Feeling a trickle flow from her nose the Camille swipes her pointer finger under it. It returns coated with blood.

  “Camille?” a tall woman, with straight blond hair formed tightly into a bun, calls to her from the diner counter.

  The redhead quickly snaps herself out of it wiping the droplet of tears from her cheek and last bit of blood from her nose. Her dull eyes look up to the woman with a name tag reading “Serana”. Seeing the woman, her composed expression turns to one of joy.

  “Sorry, Hi Serana.”

  Serana quickly sets a cup of coffee in front of a worn-down trucker before she rushes over giving Camille a tight hug. Camille pulls away at first but soon sinks in. As Serana releases her arms from around Camille, she notices her unrest but out of courtesy avoids addressing it.

  “I’m so happy to see you back at my diner! Last we talked you were off to Boston for that job as a detective, right? What brought you back to Vale?”

  “Yeah, it um...” her mind finally begins to settle but she glances away from the blond. Camille understands she has to address her job or lack thereof sooner or later, but didn’t want to so soon after seeing Serana again.

  Serana rests two motherly hands on the redhead's shoulders.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  “Oh...I see. Well don’t worry about it. If you want I can help you find a different job. I could even hire you here.” A soft smile erupts from the blond as she removes her hands from Camille’s shoulders.

  “Now you don’t have to tell me why you’re here, but you do have to get some food while you're here.” Serana attempts to encourage and reassure her, even if she knows it will not do much.

  Camille's tiny smile returns as she looks back to Serana

  “Thank you, truly. But I think you know why I came back to Vale.” her tone shifts becoming serious.

Serana nods understanding before turning to the man in the kitchen. “Larry, I’m going on my break. Send Landon out to cover orders.”

  Camille’s smile grows, not only in size but in warmth, as she looks to where the woman was referring. She sends a quick wave to the older man wearing a chief's hat and a cartoonishly large smile as he waves back..

  After a few minutes, a dark haired man with kind brown eyes, a direct contrast to his pale skin, quickly makes his way out of the back. With no more than a glance at Camille, his demeanor shrinks and Camille feels the knot return. Unable to rid herself of it she merely clutches her arm in front of her stomach.

  “Sorry Serana, I was in the back taking the trash out.” the younger man comments as he settles into his spot at the counter.

  “Well then you better wash those hands and get to it.” The kind but commanding Serana responds. Landon nods and disappears into the back once more.

Serana leads Camille over to a two person booth tucked in the back of the diner, each other sitting down across from each other.

  “So you heard about Amias.” Serana inquiries.

  “Well yes, but all I know is he went missing and the cops seem to be as useless as when I left.”

Serana nods but her eyes drift as if watching for something or someone. “Then we know just as much. But if you ask me I think something strange is going on in this town.”

  “This wouldn't be news, but what exactly do you mean ?”

  Serana focus returns to the redhead. “Not here, There's too many ears.”

  “Ok well I have a room at Starlight, would that work?”

  “You’re staying in that filthy motel? No! I will not hear of it! We have a spare room and it is just me and Larry in the house now...so you’re more than welcome.” The blonde's eyes drift to the table as she pauses. Camille sets her gentle hand on top of Serana’s knowing from her own experience no amount of support or optimism helps with the feeling of despair that follows being away from someone you love. Serana looks to Camille's emerald eyes and she forces a soft smile.

   “But for now the motel is private enough." Warmth fills the girl's stomach as her everlasting knot fades and her smile increases. She begins to make her way up from the seats and out of the dinner but is stopped short.

  “And where the hell do you think you’re going? You are not stopping by and missing out on my grilled cheese. That is, if it is still your favorite?"

Camille grins and nods, reaching into her coat pocket and taking out five crumpled dollars laying them gently on the worn plastic tabletop that, like everything else in the diner, seems to have its own character. Serana shakes her head, taking the money and shoving it back inside the youths pocket.

  “It’s on the house.”

  “Really? Thanks but I can pay for myself you know. I’m not that broke.”

  “I know but I insist. It is not everyday I get to reconnect with my son's best friend. Besides wherever he is, he’d want me to continue his tradition.”

  “I have no clue what you are talking about.” Camille can’t help but let a smile slip.

  “Sure you don’t. Just remember I’m his mother. Do you think he didn’t tell me? Even though we were losing money from him sneaking you hot meals into that sad excuse of a forester home. I want you to know it never mattered to me or Larry.”

  Tears return to Camille’s eyes as her smile stays. It shifts in tone, feeling cold but contains an underlying warmth.

  “Thanks, Those grilled cheeses might have been the one reason I came out ok.” a faint giggle forces its way out of the redhead's mouth.

  “I’ll take pride in that.” Serana removes the tears from Camille’s eyes. Gentle songs of love and family stream from the well used jukebox. While it might not be the most up to date way to bring music into the diner, it had always been one of Camille’s favorite parts about this place.

  A jet black raven perches on the lamp-post just outside the wide diner window. In rapid pecks it works out its ruffled feathers but upon finishing its eyes settle on the window. Inside, Serana rushes to collect the ordered food as Camille’s focus drifts. Her overlapping thoughts begin to return so she turns her attention to fall scene outside. As she does she spots the raven staring at her. Is it looking at me? Should I stare back? It's just a bird. Why am I even putting this much thought into its behaviors? Making up her mind, Camille’s gaze stays with the bird.