The diner’s door crashed hitting the walls as I saunter in. Every head turns to watch me as I continue my path to the office. Every human ran out of my direction so my path remained cleared. The Office door opens as I approach with an eerie grin plastered onto the man’s face who held the door for me. Passing by the creep, I took a seat next to the desk waiting for him to move. Keeping my eyes glued to the owner’s chair, I hear his steps approach me. His hand hovers over my shoulders as I count to ten in my head.
“I am here for my money,” I announce causing him to jump.
“Ah, the money right,” he slurred as he walked around the desk. “I do not believe you should leave.”
“I am not asking for your opinion.”
“Right, but you should stay with me.”
“Never.”
“WHAT?”
“Never.”
“You think you have a right to say never?”
“Always.”
“No you do not. I gave you more money then others and had you tipped larger you owe me.”
“I never owe any fool.”
“Did you just call me a FOOL!”
Silence.
“YOU CALLED ME A FOOL! YOU WRETCHED BITCH.”
“Your anger is not needed.”
“YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO TELL ME WHAT IS NEEDED!”
Silence.
“YOU WHORE THINK THAT BOYFRIEND OF YOURS WILL SAVE YOU? HA!”
“I have no boyfriend,” I grab the check the middle aged man kept swinging. “Thank you,” I say as I get up for my seat turning to the door.
“I have yet to give you permission to leave,” he seethes.
“Nor do I need your permission,” I walk calmly out of the office unaffected.
“Oh no you don’t,” the man yells behind me as he heaves heavy breaths running to me. Catching me in the middle of the dining floor, grabbing my forearm with all his force. I lolly my head back to look at him with no expression.
“I advise you to release my limb this moment.”
“How?” he mumbles as he tries yanking my arm back.
“Release me,” I state still calm.
“NO! You are mine!”
“I belong to no man,” I say while taking my left hand over his grip on my arm. Giving the foreign hand a light squeeze earning me a flinch with a soft whine. “Let go.”
“No, I claimed you the day we met,” his voice started to whimper.
“Fine, I warned you three times.” I place both of my hands on his right arm and flipped his body towards to west wall. I began to walk out of the restaurant when his body crashed into the plaster cracking around him before he slide to the floor with an ‘umph’. The scent of human blood filled the smaller room, I open the door walking through before a loud noise erupted behind them. The smell of joy flooded on the scent of blood. Cheers sounded as the door swung open.
“God bless you, Sortie. Thank you so much,” some of the waitresses came out talking over each other. I continued in my direction with out looking behind to acknowledge them. When I came into sight of the motel parking lot I see Willow sitting next to the truck watching me. The disapproving eyes said it all.
“I do not want to hear it, I warned him three times.”
C. J.’s Last Day
I walk in to the place I spent most of my time this last month. The heavy order of oil takes me with a smile. I make my way to the boss man as he heads to the back room. The slow steps I take to follow him lacks the enthusiasm the deed to obvious yet my heart does not choose it. As I round a shelving unit that holds new tubes I stop a yard away. “Boss man,” I say quietly.
“Yes Cedar?” His rough voice from years of smoking gives me a smile.
“I appreciated this time you have given me to work under you.”
“Speak up boy what is it?”
“I am leaving town after today, just wanted to thank you personally. You are a great boss. If I ever settle the problems in my past I would love the opportunity to work for you again.”
“Nonsense, you are a hard worker. It has been my pleasure. I hope one day you find peace Cedar.”
“You as well, Mr. Tuttle.”
“You’re a good kid, now go work.” I laugh as he walks back to his office, I head to the front to start my day.
The morning went by smoothly and I accomplished multiple vehicles by noon. Walking into the break room I find all the staff gathered with balloons, pizza, cake, and beers sat on the table with a banner above saying farewell. Laughing as I grab a beer and make a random speak of what an honor lifting my can while everyone joined with a bunch of laughter. After we cheered we dug into the food leaving nothing. By one the whole place was in party mode. I slipped back to finish my last jobs. When four came ticking by everyone started to leave for the day. I stayed to finish the last van on my list. I walked into the office to meet Mr. Tuttle at 4:30 pm. He met me at the door giving me a one armed hug before handing an envelope of cash.
“Kid, not sure what you are running from but take care. If you ever need anything please call me,” the gravel voice cried.
“Thank you boss man.”
“Stay out of trouble with the law while you are on the run. When you figure out how to live peacefully come back, I am serious.”
“I will keep that in mind. Stay safe and healthy mister.”
“Never, I will die with a smoke in my mouth. No need to worry about me, junior. Just hurry back.”
“I will try,” saying this as I took my finial steps out of the place for the last time. Hoping I would be wrong that this was the last time but the last time for now. I tucked the money in my pants as I stalked to the motel. As I approached the parking lot I find Willow sitting glaring at Shorty who seems rather annoyed.
“I warned him three times,” Shorty’s voice rang out. Silence continued as I assumed Willow scolding her in mind. I hop in the passenger side of the truck to wait out their storm. “Willow, he refused to let go. I only tossed him, how was I to know he would smash the wall and bleed. He was a pervert. I do not feel bad, plus I DID NOT KILL HIM.” Shorty yelled in a whispered rage towards Willow.
“Yo, girls let go before you have to pay for another day at this dump.” I chimed in as I had heard enough. Willow jumped into the cab laying as far as she could away from Shorty. Who jumped in with a nod to me, I am willing to take that as a thanks. Honestly, who knows though she is crazy. The car revived allowing us to escape this parking lot, leaving us an open highway ahead. I stayed awake until the sun began to set. My head began to lolly as Willow came to cuddle on my lap. The soft music of my childhood played while Shorty hummed. When we are like this I feel like I am at home even if it is far from a joyous environment. My conscious blackens as I listen the my peaceful music of life on the road.
Willow’s Last Day
This last month has been annoying as usual for our stopping for human money. Gladly the end was coming, so one month a year is not horrible so I put up with it. However, this time I seriously thought we might not have enough room for all the cargo for the three of us. Lucky my magic to conceal in a temperature appropriate conditions gave us some extra space in my personal dimension. The food was easy to store, along with the fuel. Trouble began when the blood bags I have been collecting started at the beginning of the month has to be kept in a very cold environment. I collected over 200 bags for Serenity, though I am not 100 % sure how many she will need for this journey. Nor am I sure why we are still running from a pack that we should be heading towards to end this.
I had just finished the packing in the truck bed when the strange smell of human blood came assaulting my nasal passage. Turning towards the smell when I realize that was the way Serenity would be coming. Sitting I wait for my alpha to show her face. She came into view a few minutes later with no blood evident on her person. ‘Serenity what did you do?’ I ask in my own head as she stopped short looking emotionless to me. I know my eyes have anger dancing in them changing the colors as I watch her lean her head back.
“I do not want to hear it, I warned him three times.” Her voice hide her emotions as if they locked themselves inside. That worries me knowing how easy she could switch from friend to fiend. I hear C. J.’s steps stop in the distance before getting into the cab.
“Serenity, you of all people know how hard you have to work to stay safe from those whom you hunt. What is exactly different between the two of you today?” Serenity sighed deeply before stepping closer studying my gaze.
“Willow, he refused to let go. I only tossed him, how was I to know he would smash the wall and bleed. He was a pervert. I do not feel bad, plus I DID NOT KILL HIM.” Her words spoken were truth but I had a hard time letting this slide. This is the first time she actually caused a bleeding from a human. She would get in fights sure, but never to this extent. Showing the scene in my mind, I could feel the slim this perverted man gave off and his intention.
“Yo, girls let go before you have to pay for another day at this dump.” C. J. howled out causing us to both look in the truck to see him with his carefree smile. I jumped into the cab reaching close to the big child.
“Why are you keeping over there? You still mad at me, Will?” Serenity minded me with a disappointed look in her eyes.
“No, if this boy smells that blood on you it could cause a change reaction neither of us truly care to endure.”
“True,” she conceded as she entered the cab. “Couple more nights until we find out.”
“Accurate, Serenity please be cautious.”
“Only when I can, Will. Do not worry I will not allow you to be lonely.”