A Tendorlin Tale

G.A.B.R.I.E.L

Life goes on with or without whoever. 

Despite the strange text, which seemed like a silence before the storm Isa knew that she couldn't dwell on it. She had to get out of this horrid place, and for that she needed to save up money and graduate. She had good grades to get her into a good university in San Fransisco preferably in Richmond. She was going to get a degree in IT and work in an IT firm. That's the plan she had made and nothing was going to stop her from achieving her dreams.  

It was the weekend, meaning that the diner was going to full enough, so her boss had called her to come early today. As she was washing the dishes, Annalisa the waitress who around her age had to leave urgently because her brother James was sick. She pleaded with Isa to cover for her as she could get fired for leaving like that and Isa willingly accepted. Better than going back home at least.

In such a rush hour, due to lack of staff Isa had to cover Anna's shift and work overtime. At least it was better than staying in her trailer ,on edge, worrying the burglar would show up once again. Serene was no longer there to accompany her either. It was better than being lonely. 

Perhaps it's naive to think that time heals scars, as they fully never disappeared off my skin.  

"A  ranch cheese burger  and curly fries, Table no 4.!" 

"Coming up!"

The diner was filled with atleast a quarter of people by now, all laughing, sharing stories and ordering the same thing basically. Burgers. A tv on the right hand side of the diner adorned at the top was switched onto the news channel. A recent news about someone getting caught with $2500 worth of drugs. Nothing new in Tendorlin. 

As Isa was bringing the order to Table No.4, she was met with someone whom she thought was the last person she'd see here, but then again this was one of the most common places in Tendorlin to hang out. Gabriel.

"Here is your order, just give me a call if you need something else"

"Oh hey, it's you. That notebook girl whom I met the other day. Didn't catch your name though". Gabriel pouted.

"Hi um yes, it's Isadora, Isa for short" 

"A pretty name for a pretty lady" Gabriel winked at her. 

"Thank you" she blushed having never received compliment from a gorgeous man. 

"Why don't you sit down?" asked Gabriel

"As much as I'd like to, I have orders to take. Working a double shift right now" replied Isa.

"That's alright, I'm basically here for the whole day anyway. To hang out with the boys, you know" 

"Of course have a good time!"

With that Isa started to work, bringing orders to people, wiping out tables, washing the dishes if someone else covered up for her. In the meantime, Gabriel's friends had also arrived and as it turns out they were there for the whole day. Ordering food, chattering, watching the local soccer game. As evening arrived, there was a local band playing down the street which was visible from the diner.  Everyone seemed to be in a good mood. 

Gabriel had insisted Isa to sit down with him and his friends. There were 4 other guys on the table with him as he introduced them one by one. There was Caleb, Amos, Damon and Indigo. The guys were funny and really nice to her as well. 

"Are you a S-T-U-D? cuz I've got an S-T-D and all I need is U", winked Damon. 

He was a harmless flirt as Isa had noticed. 

"Shut up you Demon, that's cringe and outdated". Said Caleb.

"First off all, it's Damon and I think it's pretty unique. Don't you think little Isa?"

"uh sure" replied Isa awkwardly. 

The boys continued to banter, as the hot topic had suddenly switched to "Goats". Gabriel grinned at the silly banter, and Isa couldn't help but notice how beautiful he looked. When his unsual eyes fell on her he smirker and she felt special. 

Time soon passed by and it was around 11pm and no one really insisted on keeping the diner open in Tendorlin because you never know what can happen. Isa was the only one left behind had to close it off. By this time, Gabriel had already left with his friends leaving behind a generous tip for Isa. 

The day had passed by gracefully, and Isa had forgotten all about the strange text. She was happy working double time. As she was walking  near the parking lot,  the hair at the back of her neck stood up and a shiver went down her spine  as if alerting her about someone's eyes.She rushed to the parking lot and thankfully there were some people there and she noticed that Gabriel was smoking there along with his friends. She hurriedly rushed to him to say goodbye, and also because she couldn't be alone where there was no one. She sensed danger. 

She greeted goodbye to him and his friends but Gabriel insisted on dropping her off at home and a part of her was thankful that she didn't have to walk alone at night in the streets of Tendorlin. They were always unsafe, especially at night.

Monsters and ghosts are real, they live inside us and sometimes they win. 

She soon found herself in walking towards her trailer and as she arrived at her front door, only to be greeted with her next nightmare for the upcoming weeks.