Revival

Dirty Laundry

I'm jolted awake by the shaking of my body. Scurrying closer the the window with frighten eyes. "Hey hey relax I'm just waking you we've reached the last stop." Says the old lady. I slowly sit up taking in my surroundings. Looking out the window I see mountains.

I thank the lady and get off the bus. Taking a long whiff of the fresh air. I stand there unraveling in my surroundings . This seems like one of those small towns. That's good I need small.

I begin walking around looking for somewhere to eat. I'm starving I can't remember the last time I ate. Coming up on a small diner called Haven I enter. Stepped pass the threshold I'm hit with nostalgia; the scent of blueberry pancakes. Just like the ones my mom use to make.

Taking a booth by the window with a view of the mountains. I look over the menu; I haven't ate food this good since I was 13. I shift in my seat at those memories. The waiter breaks me from my depressing thoughts.

"Welcome to Haven what can I get for you today?" Her accent is kind of southern. She has long brown hair with bright green eyes. I already knew what I wanted when I walked in.

"I'll take your blueberry pancakes with eggs and bacon with a coffee please add cream and sugar lots of sugar." I say with excitement lacing my voice. I can feel my stomach growling at me.

"Of course! I'll get that right out to you." She says with a bright smile. I give a soft thanks; looking around the diner I see lots of people from young to old; families of all kinds.

Smiles on their faces and voices filled with laughter. I feel so out of place yet so safe. A feeling I haven't been privy too in ages. My thoughts are filled with what if's. What if my mom never died? What if my brother was home that day? Why didn't they look for me?

I guess they didn't love me. Just like they told me "no one will come for you. You belong to me now I'll kill them if you run away." Of course my 13 year old mind believed every word that monster said. So I didn't try to run away or fight back.

Clueless on why I would care for people who never cared to look for me. With a deep sigh I shake my head to rid the thoughts. Just than my food comes. My mouth waters at the sight I miss hot food. I miss food in general.

Wasting no time I dig in savoring every last bite. Not stopping until my whole plate is cleared. I know I must look like a madwoman right now; I could careless. After finishing I wipe my mouth and sit back. Feeling full now I smile to myself; my eyes still wonder around the Diner.

"Whoa! I see someone was hungry! Here's your bill pay when you're ready." The pretty lady says to me. I blush at her words feeling embarrassed, I give a small nod; down-casting my face to the table.

"I've never seen your around here before are you passing through? Not many people come here and stay in this small town." She rants making me fidget with my hands. I don't responde right away not knowing what to say.

I can't tell her where I'm from. She might work for them they have people everywhere I can't risk it. "Hey it's okay if you don't wanna tell me just yet. Welcome to Woodhaven enjoy!" She places the bill down and walks away.

I'm thankful she didn't push for the more. Pulling out my money; I pay the bill grab my things and scurry out of there. Not looking up from the ground. The fresh air hits me making me exhale. I wonder around looking for a place to sleep.

The bag the lady gave me had money. Lots of money I still wonder who that lady was. She was like a guardian angel I didn't know I needed. Finally coming up on a hotel I walk in; getting a room with one king sized bed. I haven't had a bed to myself in God knows how long.

Walking into the room there's just a huge bed; flat screen TV and A mini fridge. I don't need much because I don't have much. I left with nothing but what I had on and a few dollars. Sitting on the bed I allow myself to relax. My body aches all over I need an hot shower.

Getting off the bed I make my way to the bathroom. Stripping out my clothes and stepping into the shower. The hot water cascades down my body releasing the tension. Looking at my body I feel their hands all over me.

I scrub till my skin is red. I need the feeling of them gone but it doesn't seem to fade. Tears begin to make their way down my cheeks. Frustration takes over and I let out a gut wrench scream. Everything I've been holding in is being released.

I don't know if these are happy tears or sad maybe a mixture of both. I add more soap to my towel; hoping it'll make me clean again. I feel so dirty I wanna be clean again. I need to be clean again.