Heaven, Hell, and Earth

Chapter 19

Before clocking out of work, Charlie had to do a quick clean up of the dining room. It was nothing too difficult, she only had to wipe down the tables, empty the trash cans, and inform the customers that the diner would soon be closing. The type of customers that normally came into the diner ranged from middle aged to late seventies but a few college students would occasionally dine in. One of said college students was Zeke Nielsen, a bit of a geek but he seemed nice.

"Ten minutes Zeke." Charlie warned.

"Don't worry Charlie I'll be out of here soon." He said.

"See you tomorrow? Same time?"

"Sure but I was thinking you know, when you get off work why don't we go get a drink or something?"

"Zeke you're a nice guy but I already told you, I'm not interested in dating right now."

"Oh right, I forgot. But you know that's actually a good thing."

"It is?"

"Yeah because you know those college jocks who come in here sometimes, I've heard them say some pretty pervy stuff about you. It makes me sick."

"That's sweet Zeke but I can take care of myself."

"You wouldn't actually go out with one of those steroid addicted losers would you?"

"No because like I said I'm not looking to date right now. I have too much on my mind. Speaking of which, I should probably clock out now and head home. Have a good night Zeke."

"You too Charlie."

"Good night Niffty." She called to her employer.

"Good night Charlie." Niffty called back.

Charlie then clocked out and started to back to her apartment. On her way there, she walked past a woman and her dog, and suddenly the dog started to bark rapidly at something. Both Charlie and the owner looked to see who or what the animal was barking at but they could see nothing except a few trash cans.

"Spike there's nothing there." The woman told her pet. "Stop that barking at once."

But the dog refused. It continued to bark and wordlessly insist that something was there.

"Spike stop!"

"Must be a raccoon or a cat hiding in the trash." Charlie suggested. "Don't worry, he won't obsesses over that all night."

She proceeded on home but what had caught the dog's suspicion wasn't a raccoon or cat hiding in the trash cans. It was a shadow on the brick wall of a building.

"Shoo!" The shadow whispered at a volume which was deaf to humans but perfectly clear to highly advanced hearing of a dog. "Shoo! Go away! Leave me alone you dreaful excuse for a pet!"

But the dog wouldn't budge. So when the owner turned her head briefly, the shadow's hand gave the irritating canine a slight pop on the nose.

"Spike what happened?" The woman asked when she heard her pet yelp.

The shadow swiftly moved on to another wall before it could be noticed. Then it slid on up the Golden Gate Bed and Breakfast building, stopping just under the balcony of Charlie's apartment. She was sitting outside on the balcony, reading a book and drinking some tea to soothe her before bed. When a gust of night wind suddenly blew against her, she grabbed a brush from her purse and started to comb out the tangles.

Her cream-blond hair shimmered in the moonlight with each careful rake from the brush. Her lily-fair skin practically glowed when surrounded by the darkness of night yet her cheeks were colored as rosy-pink. Her pale blue eyes seemed to sparkle endlessly and were always filled with kindness.