Divine Falls

Chapter 23: A Celeste's Origin

When the black smoke evaporates, I'm standing by the woods behind Shake N' Cake. The place my real mother has been hiding this entire time. I make sure no one sees me appear here before I head around the building. Once I make it to the front my feet don't want to move any further. The shop's blinking "open" sign flashes on and off and it feels like it's teasing me.

I'm terrified to meet her and even knowing she's this close and always has been makes me even more nervous. The typical questions like will she like me or will she instantly know who I am pops up in my head. I need to put my emotions to the side for the sake of the mission but I can't help that I'm feeling each one known to mankind.

I can get over Jacey lying to me but my real mother I never knew is something that breaks my heart over and over again. How can I face her knowing she left me alone and didn't try to come back to me? I won't forgive her, at least not now.

A couple walks past me laughing and I realize I haven't moved an inch. I'm such a coward and overthinking this situation isn't helping anyone.

I look down at my feet like I did when I was stuck on that road that one weird night. Except I don't want to even attempt to move knowing I can. I'm more afraid than I was that night.

I see warm arms wrap around me from behind. "What's wrong? I couldn't sense you at Vee's anymore." Pierce says in my ear.

I slightly turn my head to him and smile." Wait, you knew I was here from sniffing me out or something?"

"I always know where you are, little angel. It's not that hard to track you down."

I love when he calls me that. I turn to face him and smile again because he's looking at me like I should know he can find me no matter what. He has that smug look on his face but it's cute to me.

"So you do admit to stalking me." I joke with a laugh.

"It's not stalking if you are mine so therefore I can." He lifts my chin up to look at him. "Now tell me why we are here." He caresses my cheek for a moment.

I sigh. "My real mom is in there and I'm afraid to meet her. Mrs. Garrett thinks we should run and hide but I don't want to run. I want Vane to be out of our life forever."

He drops his hand and nods. "I want him out of our life too. That fucker made me do some shitty things. With your mom I think you should lay it easy on her. She might freak out about the demon things if she doesn't remember."

"I have to gain the courage to even say hello to her. I think the demons can wait."

Pierce lays his hand against my back and gives me a little push toward the front door. His touch is helping my anxiety keep calm. I feel like I might puke.

Hand in hand we walk inside the ice cream shop and it isn't as busy as usual. It's eerily empty but less people is good. If anything goes down here we can handle it more securely with no lives lost. Well hopefully no lives lost.

We sit in an empty booth. "How will you know it's her?" Pierce asks.

I shrug. "I'm not sure. I guess maybe I will know." I scan around the room, eyeing everyone with a yellow shirt that has the Shake N' Cake logo on it. There doesn't seem to be that many people working today so it shouldn't be hard to find her.

I wave down one of the waitresses that just got done taking down someone else's order. She comes over to us with an upbeat energy in her stride ready to answer any question.

"How are the two love birds? Can I get you anything?" She says with a smile.

"Yes, is your manager working today? I want to speak with her about umm business manners" I quickly lie.