Curiosity Never Killed The Cat

Chapter 8: A Night Of Joy

Abandoned park, 7:00 pm

It feels like it's been a while since they left. I've just been playing games and watching videos on my phone to pass time. I stopped to check the time. Wow, it's later than I thought. I should get going, would be a shame if I got kidnapped or something.

I sat up and put in my earbuds, switching my music on. I zipped up my bag and threw it on, I also popped my hood back over my head. I sat for a moment and closed my eyes.

Joy: Breaths in and out*

 The air feels so good, I wonder how much longer I'll have to stay out here before my parents go to sleep. Normally I would wait another four hours, but I'm so tired. I just want to get home. I wonder what Li Li is up to...

Joy: "hmhm."

I laughed to myself, what a funny nickname. She and Jack were very cute. It was like I was seeing double, they look so similar. Their personalities are drastically different though... This year is going to be very interesting. 

I got up and started walking along the small trail that lead to the clearing. It was darker, all the shadows were a shade of some cold orange. The evening breeze was chilly too, it felt so good. When I reached the street I walked along the sidewalks for a little while.

This place is so tame at night. Everyone in this town that isn't a drunk or a hoodlum is indoors already with family. Probably eating dinner or laughing at some old story about that one deranged grandparent. The young children would soon be tucked in by their loving parents and told bedtime stories. Yet, here I am, walking the streets late on a weeknight avoiding my heartless caretakers. 

I paused for a moment. I decided to walk into the middle of the street. I stared down the lifeless road, cars lining the sidewalks in my peripheral. With music blasting in my ears, I just stood there.  

I hate it here.

I continued strolling forward, staying in the middle of the street. After a few minutes I started thinking, I can't keep walking forever. I need a place to take refuge for a while. But, where should I go? I'm too tired to walk to my usual hideout. Hmm...

Around 15 minutes later

Walking along the sidewalks again I spotted a neon light in the distance. The sign read "Rippley's Diner" and seemed pretty quiet. In the window, there was a smaller sign that said "open 24 hours." That's perfect.

Sketchy 24-hour diner, 8:18 pm

DING*

I stepped into the diner and as soon as I did, the waiter behind the counter looked a little confused. I guess a teen like me walking around at this time in this small ass town, alone, probably looks a little weird. He stayed professional though.

Waiter: "Have a seat wherever you'd like, I'll be with you in a moment."

The Diner was fairly empty. All the booths were free except one towards the front, which had some drunk dude passed out. Sleeping it off I guess. I took the booth in the back corner. I put away my phone and earbuds in my bag and set it beside me. While I waited I took in the details of the place. The lights were dim and flickered every once in a while. The diner itself seemed pretty old but it was still in good condition. There was a faint scent of syrup in the air. The waiter made his way over to me.

Waiter: "Hello, what can I get you?"

I stared him down for a moment. He seemed earnest and kind. Honesty was definitely important to him. He probably doesn't have many friends considering he works alone on the late shift at an empty diner. He had light brown skin, kinda like caramel. His hair was a dark black and slicked back, except for a few loose strands and he wore some band T-shirt underneath his apron.