Prolouge

Blackness.

 

 

And then I was hot. Sweltering hot. Yet there was no warmth in the air. Just a freezing chill that settled deep in my bones. The air around me was thick with fear and anger. Anger that burned me. Fear the paralyzed my body. It took all of my strength to open my eyes. When they did open, I gasped. I didn't know where I was. I forced myself to look around for clues as to where I could be. Yet, I couldn't even see a foot in front of me without the darkness swallowing the rest of the room. I could only see myself and the blood red marble flooring. I was completely alone.

However, I could sense something lurking in the shadows. Something dangerous. Something lethal. A new terrifying emotion seeped its way through my body. Dread. Wanting to get away from the horrible place, I took a step in front of me. My black high heels made an incrediably loud 'click' that echoed through the room. I cringed at the sudden noise I've made. Only now did I realize just how quiet it was. Silence used to be my friend, but now it seemed sinister and dark. The last thing a friend should ever be.

I felt a panic attack coming, so I quickly took a few deep breaths. I didn't want whatever was in the shadows to know that I was scared. It would make me seem even more vulnerable then I already am. Squaring my shoulders, I took another step forward. 'Clack'. The sound made me shudder, but I didn't stop. Just as I was about to take another tortured step, a malicious laugh came from behinde me and then spread throughout the never ending room. I quickly turned around to face whoever or whatever was there.

Slowly, yet casually, a young man emerged from the shadows. He was the most handsome man I've ever met. He had silvery blonde hair and dark brown eyes that complemented his light tan. He was completely charming and laid back. Opening his arms wide, he smiled as if trying to comfort a little child. I took a step towards this strange comforting man. His smile grew larger and even more enticing, yet something was off about him. 

I looked at his face a bit more closely. Only then did I realized how evil his smile was and how cold his soulless eyes were. There was nothing comforting about him. he was darker than the place I was at. Strange place. Yet it was extremely familiar. A place that only haunted my nightmares. A place that had become reality. A place that I was now trapped in. I knew where I was, and I knew who stood in front of me.

The man took a step closer to me and crossed his arms.

 

Smiling, he said the words that would indefinitly cause my impending doom...

 

 

"Lets play a game."

 

 

Hehvin's Café

 "Ellie..."

 

"Mmm?"

 

"Ellie!"

 

"Whaaat?"

 

"Damn it Ellie! Wake up!"

 

"Okay, okay! I'm up!"

 

Pushing up to face the irritating voice, I toppled off my bed and onto the hard cold floor. I found myself face to face with the dark wooden floor boards of my room as my mind was trying to escape the morning gloom. All I wanted to do was sleep, yet the birds outside seemed to be especially loud today. Their shrilly songs pounded their way through my head.

 

Chirp "POUND"

Tweet "POUND"

Chirp Chirp "POUND" "POUND"

 

That's how it went. Over and over and over again. Not to mention that who ever just kicked me didn't help. Ugh! I slowly got up from the floor, only to end up falling again. Confused and angry, I searched for my feet so I could glare at them. Those traitors!

It was then that I noticed I only fell because I was tangled in my sheets. Burying my face into my hands, I let out a loud and very annoyed groan.

 

"Look Ellie, if you don't get up now you'll be late again."

 

"Late?" I mumbled confused. Trying to peice my thoughts together, I looked around for the source of the voice. It was Mel, my best friend, and she was holding up an old fashioned burgandy waitress uniform. First of all, why is Mel in my apartment? And second of all, how did she get in? I mean seriously! This woman has no common curtes- Wait! A waitress uniform?! Oh no! I'm going to be late!

I jumped up from the floor as fast as possible, just to end up falling on my face for like the fifth time in a row. This whole falling down thing was getting really old... Untangling myself from the twisted knots in my blankets, I popped right back up. I snatched the uniform out of Mel's hand and dashed into my bathroom to get dressed. I was trying to brush my messy blonde hair into a somewhat decent ponytail while pulling on a white knee sock.

After I managed to get my long wavy hair into a ponytail, I started searching for the other matching sock.

 

"Where is that damn sock?!" I grumbled as I turned my already messy room inside out. Turning around, I looked at Mel helplessly... She was holding my sock. Marching my way over to her, I held my hand out expectantly. Giggling, she handed over the much hated sock.

 

"Maybe next time look in the sock drawer before you destroy your room even more," she said as she started helping me look for another lost, but much needed, item. My makeup bag.

 

"Maybe next time tell me you found something before I mess up my room!" I snapped back. I was very grouchy this morning.

 

Mel held up her hands in surrender and said,"Well excuse me for trying to help you keep your job!"

 

Rolling my eyes, I grabbed my makeup bag. I had just found it laying under a small pile of dirty clothes at the foot of my bed. I ran straight to my mirror to apply a little eyeliner and some lipgloss. Once done I gave myself a quick look over. I was wearing the usual deep burgandy waitress uniform paired with white knee high socks and black heels. My tiny waitress apron was probably sitting somewhere in Mel's car outside. Other than that, I just made sure my makeup was fine before practically pulling Mel out of my apartment and downstairs to the parking lot. 

 

"Whoa there filly, hold your horses!" gasped Mel as we reached her tiny little chardonnay colored Volks Wagon Beetle,"It's not like the world will end if you're just a few minutes late."

 

Hoping into her car I sighed,"For me it might! You said it yourself, if i'm late again Danny might fire me."

 

"Well yea, but..."

 

"And I cannot lose another job. If I do I might lose the apartment!"

 

"The so very important apartment in which you forgot to lock?" teased Mel.

 

"First of all, it's not like I have anything of value in there. And secondly, be serious Mel!"

 

 "Look I'm sorry, but you know that if you lose the apartment you can always come and li-"

 

"Don't you dare say I can live with you and Rick," I growled,"You two just got married and I can't inva-, no, I REFUSE to invade your personal space! I'm not a leach."

 

"You wouldn't be invading our space, Ellie. Rick wouldn't mind. Really, he thinks of you like a sister. Besides, you are no leach! It's not like you're the type of person who likes impending on other's lives."

 

Raising an eyebrow, I state," But I'd still be impending."

 

"What? Oh, I didn't-"

 

"Yes you did. Now can you please start driving to the café!" I exclaimed as I soon realized she hadn't even started the engine yet. Sighing, Mel started the car and we were soon on our way to what might possibly no longer be my job.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Fifteen minutes later and I was sitting in my bosses office waiting. When we got here I happened to be late, even if it was only five minutes, and let's just say Danny isn't to happy.

I quickly scanned the room I was in and lets just say I envied my Boss. Even if the café was small, it was usually packed to the brim with locals every morning. Danny probably has an amazing income for a café owner. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if someone told me he was the second richest man who lived here in Gail, Texas. His mehogany desk was sitting ontop of a soft tan polyester carpet. The walls were painted a deep royal blue and garnished with pictures of Danny and his family.

I was looking at a specific picture, of what seemed to be a couple, sitting on his desk. The first person was obviously Danny Montego himself. It's impossible not to recognize Danny with his unique shock of bright orange hair. He stood, 6'5, towering over a tiny little woman who looked to be around 5'4. The woman had a deeper shade of red hair and was holding what seemed to be a newborn baby. I picked up the picture to get a better look at the face of the woman.

 

"That's my wife."

 

I jumped in my seat when I realized Danny was standing right beside me. It must have been clear that I was upset at being caught snooping around, due to my very guilty expression. Chuckling, Danny sat down on the leather chair behinde the desk. 

 

"She's very beautiful is she not?" he asked still amused over my reaction.

 

I nodded silently as I set the picture back onto his desk carefully. The woman's face and tiny features were now facing him. Sighing, Danny reached into one of his drawers and pulled out a stack of files.

 

"I made this café for her. Not only did she love making breakfast for others, but we met at a café," he said as he searched through the papers.

 

"What is her name?"

 

"Hehvin."

 

"Hehvin... So you named the café after her?"

 

"Yes. She loved this place with all her heart. I loved her with all of mine. It was only fitting."

 

"Wait... loved?" I asked confused.

 

Sighing again, Danny pulled out a mildy thick file with a tiny name on it,"She disapeared five years ago. I'd rather think she's dead, than think she left."

 

"Oh... I'm so sorry."

 

"It wasn't your fault,"He said picking a few peices of paper out from the file he had just found,"Now... Back to buiness!"

 

Silently praying, I gulped.

 

"So far you have been late everytime for the past seven days... and you've only worked here for one week,"deadpanned Mr. Montego,"You've also been fired from all nine stores here in Gail. That's all of the stores other than this particular one."

 

I fidgted in my seat as Danny peered over the papers he was reading with a serious look.

 

"Explain."

 

"Well..." I started,"I don't really want to give out excuses as to why I've been late, but I will tell you that it won't ever happen again. That and I'll make sure to be extra nice to all the customers!"

 

"What do you mean by extra... nice?" asked Danny suspiciously.

 

Blushing at my stupid remark, I nervously say,"Well I just mean that I'm not very talkitive and sweet to the customers. I just... stand there... and... well... take orders... and stuff... But I mean I am nice! And I do talk! It's just that I don't-"

 

"Okay Miss Stone! I understand," laughed Mr. Montego,"Come back tomorrow and be on time."

 

I nodded as I stood up and quickly walked out of the office and into the café. I felt so stupid after realizing that I basically told Danny Montego, my boss, that I wasn't nice to his customers. The people that  he needs to keep happy! What I'd meant to say was that I'd just be nicer. Ugh!

The Choosing of the Game Pieces

 He sat in the far corner of the small café, looking at the few people who were loitering there. His dark green eyes only focused on the women. Never the men. They already had the men they needed. Now they wanted a woman. Yet, not just any woman. A challenge. All the woman that he saw didn't seem like they'd be fun. They all seemed just a little to... doltish.

He was getting impatient, and was about to leave when she walked in. A tall brunette with short choppy hair. She was fairly pretty with her rounded face and small features. Probably around 5'7 in height, and her coal black eyes had an intelligence about them. She could be the one. There was only one way to find out.

Getting up, the man sauntered over to the counter in which the lady had settled on. When he sat on a stool next to her, he caught her attention.

 

"Hello bella,"he said in his deep spanish accent.

 

Looking over the strange handsome man a few times, the woman giggled.

 

"You are very beautiful. Do you know that?" he asked

 

Giggling even more, the woman quietly responded,"T-thank you. That is very kind of you to say."

 

"How so? It is only the truth..."

 

"Yes well, it could also be only a way to get me to say yes to whatever question you're about to ask me next."

 

The man smiled. He knew it. She was smart and pretty. They would be pleased with her. Now all he had to do was to get her to go leave with him. 

 

"Meum delicias (my darling), it is getting quite late and I'm afraid this place will be closing soon. I would like it very much if I may walk you to your car?"

 

"Well... I don't know...I-" 

 

Suddenly there was a loud noise next to them as someone dropped a soap bucket on the counter between the two. The dirty water spilled over the side and onto the man's designer jeans. Growling, he quickly tried wiping the water off with a nearby napkin.

 

"You can't Melany." said a soft, yet stubborn voice.

 

The aggravated man looked up to see the most prettiest woman he's ever seen. She had golden waves of hair the stopped at the middle of her back in curls. Those golden curls framed her pale heart shaped face and matched her soft baby pink lips. But it was her eyes that enticed the man. They were were blue, clear, and sharp like jagged glass. The man let his eyes roam over her body slowly, juding her to be 5'9 with an hourglass figure. She had put him under a spell, but the moment the woman named 'Melany' spoke it broke.

 

"Why not? It's just a walk to the car Ellie. He even said so."

 

The man looked over again to the brunette, who now seemed more dull and less smart. He had implied that something else might've happened after that simple walk to the car. In fact... it was pretty damn obvious something more was going to happen. It was then that the 'Ellie' girl raised any eyebrow and asked the simple question that would soon decide her future.

 

"Are you sure that's the truth?"

 

The Feline Fright

THREE DAYS LATER

 

"Ummm... I think I'll have the good morning special as usual," said Max, a long time friend and regular of Hehvin's Café.

 

I pulled out my note pad and started jotting down his order when Max suddenly snatched the untouched menu off of the table and into his hands. I looked up at him when I remembered that Max never touches our menus. Like ever. But here he was... staring at the cover with his sharp hazel eyes. Kind of like he was hoping it would just disappear from his sight.

Sighing, he ran a callused hand through his long salt and peppered hair. Then he stroked his matching beard. (Lucky... wait am I the only person who wishes to have a beard just for the thoughtful stroking action?).

 

Quickly flipping through it he randomly pointed at one of the meals and said,"You know what? I think I'm going to change things up a bit. Instead of the usual, I think I'll have the...um.."

 

"The... Mini... Texas.. Breakfast?" I asked slowly as I glanced at the menu,"Max, that's a kiddy meal."

 

"So?"

 

"It's for kids..."

 

Winking, Max simply replied,"Hey! I'm still basically ten... if you minus a few years." 

 

"More like a few decades. You're fifty seven years old Max... I'm pretty sure you're to old for this kind of choice in food."

 

"Old? Me? Rude!" gasped Max as he cleaned off his white rimmed glasses.

 

Rolling my eyes, I looked at him and asked,"What's the problem?"

 

"I don't know what you're talking about,"He said nervously chuclking as he put on his glasses and avoided my eyes.

 

"Stop being a stubborn old man. You ALWAYS order the good morning special! You have since you moved here thirty three years ago." I stated.

 

Max turned to glare at me, but then faced to stare out the window. I sighed and also looked out the window only to see Miss Karren Bingley striding straight towards the door in her bright red cowboy boots. It might've just been me, but she looked pretty pissed off. And I'm just going to go out on a limb here and say I didn't imagine it, due to the fact that Max had turned an ashly grey sort of color when she barged into the café.

Miss Karren took one swift look around the café when she spotted Max and started to barrel straight towards us. Her usually neat bun of snow white hair was decorated with fly aways, and her muddy brown eyes were filled with rage. She was wearing a paint stained overall and blood red tee.

She was scarier than the devil himself, and wilder than the untamed mustang Louise Bell owned. (Trust me that horse is practically insane). 

 

"Martin Arron Xian! You... oh, YOU are just a... a... a BIG OL' PAIN IN THE ARSE!" Screamed Miss Karren in heavy southern accent when she reached his table.

 

Gaining courage, Max stood up and glared at her. 

 

"Gosh darn dammit woman! DON'T CALL ME THAT!" He roared back.

 

This was pretty usual. You see, Miss Karren and Max are kind of a 'thing' here in town. They have been for over twenty years. Everyone here in Gail has given up on the idea that the two are going to get married though. They've just been like this for as long as anyone can remember.

For them there is always at least one fight per week, if not more. Who knows what it is this time though. The reasons for their fights change every time. Last week it was because Max needed a hair cut, but he refused to get one. The one before that was over Miss Karren selling Max's favorite belt to pay for her new snake skin boots.They drive each other crazy! But no matter what, they are both head over heels for each other. Yet they won't tie the knot and get married. Not even engaged! Ugh... Love sounds complicated.

As the two fought in the middle of the café, the majority of us bystanders tuned them out and went back to whatever we were doing before. Like I said, we're used to this. I just turned to go to the kitchen and tell the cook about Max's order, when I felt a prickling sensation on the back of my neck. Turning around, I quickly looked at the window behinde me. Whatever that feeling was, it was unpleasant. Like a warning.

However, when I scanned the buildings and main street I saw no one. Besides... It would be silly for me to feel this type of paranoia so early in the morning. I shook my head and went to the kitchen, dismissing any thoughts about the strange feeling I just had. It was time to go get Max's Mini Texas Breakfast.

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 Eighteen hard working hours later, and here I was walking from the café to my apartment at night. Melany was supposed to pick me up three hours ago after her date with her husband, but I have a strange feeling she and Rick got a little... side tracked. So still holding onto the slightest ray of hope that my best friend would eventually pick me up, I worked for those three hours. Danny thinks I was just doing it to get back on his good side, and who am I to tell him I just don't want to have to walk home? Let the man think what he wants to think! Geez... Although I'm now finding that those three hours of work and waning hope was usless. I am still walking home of course.

As I turned the corner of MockingBird Lane, I mused over the thought of me chewing Mel out tomorrow morning. Boy was she in for it! Suddenly, when I got to the good part of the imagnary conversation in my head, I got that strange feeling again. The prickling was back, but this time it was accompinied with something else.

You know that feeling when someone or something is staring at you? Your whole body goes numb and then you feel two burning holes on you that can only be eyes. Well that's the feeling that overtook my body after the prickling went away. I slowed my pace, and it was like I suddenly couldn't take another step. My body kind of just stopped... Without MY consent if I may add! So I was just standing there, under the lamp pole on the corner of MockingBird Lane at midnight. For some reason, though I can't really put my finger on it, this felt like a scary movie. Hmmm......

I started trying to move my legs, but they felt like the were filled with lead and refused to move. *Grrr! Nobody listens to me! Not even my own damn body!* I thought as I helplessly looked around me. Atleast I can utilize my head. Turning to face my right, I looked at the small abandoned park across the street. 

The swings were slowly moving in the slight breeze as the slide's structure creaked and groaned in protest. Things were getting a little creepy, so it was no wonder I nearly jumped out of my skin when I heard a loud 'crash' come from my left. I looked towards the cause of the sound to only see a black cat skitter away from a fallen trash can. Regaining his cool like posture, the cat looked up at me with firey amber eyes. We stared at each other for a good three minutes before the cat decided to stalk off into the darkness. Still thinking about the cat, I turned my attention back to the play ground only to have a near heart attack...

Amber Eyes

 There sitting on one of the two swings, was a man. He was looking down at the nice pair of shiny black loafers that covered his feet, so I wasn't able to see his face. This, however, didn't stop me from noticing other things. Like the fact that other than his caramel skin tone, he seemed to be covered in black. From his extremely clean black suit, most likely from some famous designer I don't know, to his short spiked black hair. He even had a silver ring shaped like a snake wrapping around his finger. It was lined with black -.- .... 

Staring at the man, I noticed he wasn't moving at all. Even though the slight breeze had now turned into a roaring wind signaling a huge storm was on its way. And when I say he wasn't moving, I mean he was NOT moving. Not even his hair. I mean seriously! What did that man use? Industrial super gel that can prevent fifty mph winds from even making his hair twitch?! (If so, I could seriously use some seeing as my ponytail kept whipping around and hitting me in my face.)

Just as I was about to try and back away from the man, although it was probably futile because of my stupid non-moving body, he looked up. Gasping, I fell back onto my butt. Who knew my body would let me regain controll after some strange scary person noticed me? Turning my attention back to the man, and away from my thoughts, I looked at his facial features. He had sharp cheekbones, a thin lilting mouth, and what looked like a roman nose. However, it wasn't his good looks that surprised me. It was his heavy lidded eyes. They were a golden yellow that faded into a orange, which instantly was replaced by a rim of blood red. In my opinoin they looked exactly like the cat's eyes I had seen earlier. The same type of firey amber. 

Wanting to get away from this abnormal person, I slowly crawled backwards as the man stood up and slowly made his way over to me. I kept on backing away until my back hit the brick wall of some building. I let out a quick squeak when I notice I had no where else to go, now that the man stood directly in front of me. At my small fearful noise the man smiled. He towered over me with what I assumed to be his 6'3 frame, and offered a hand.

I almost accepted his offer when I realized it was his fault I had fallen in the first place. If he hadn't been so damn scary and sneaky, I wouldn't be on the floor like some scared little kid! At this thought, I pulled back my hand and set my jaw making it pop (that always happens when I'm really angry). I glared at the man and slowly rose up on my own. His shocked expression at my defiance and anger made me want to laugh, but I held it in as stood in front of him. Scowling, I forcefully pushed past him and flipped him off. I wasn't going to accept some creeps help after he was the one that made me fall. Fuck no! So I continued down my path to my apartment.

*I need some serious sleep* I thought as I unlocked my door and stepped inside. Turning around, I was about to close the door when I saw something. My eyes wide with fear, I quickly shut the door and locked it. Out there in the shadows I had seen them again. Those amber eyes.

Impressum

Tag der Veröffentlichung: 20.08.2015

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Widmung:
I guess I dedicate this book to the voices in my head. JK ;)