UnEarthed

Chapter 2

The diner is small and quaint with a fifties look to it. The booths are red with chrometables and the floors are black and white checkered tile. There is a long bar with a black and chrome countertop stretching the length of the diner. Wall to wall Coca Cola décor fill the room along with posters of James Dean, Marilyn Monroe and other iconic fifties celebrities. At the far-right end of the diner, sits an old, red jukebox playing an Elvis Presley song.

 "What can I get you, dear?" A thin gray-haired waitress walks up and pulls Kenzy's attention from the diner's vintage décor.

"Just a coffee for now, thanks." Kenzy answers and places her head in her hands.

 A burst of laughter from people sitting at a booth nearby causes Kenzy to look up. Even though she is slightly irritated by them, she finds herself feeling envious. Theyare having a good time and she is alone. She begins thinking of what she would give to have just one person near her, someone who understands what she is going through. Then maybe her future would not seem so bleak.

There is one girl, a petite light-skinned beauty with shoulder-length blonde hair and blue eyes sitting next to a darker-skinned guy with small eyes, wearing a beanie that covers most of his black hair. Across from them is a younger guy with dark hair and eyes, a soft, welcoming face wearing a fitted shirt covering an obvious chiseled chest. Next to him is a guy who has Kenzy completely captivated. His hair is short and brown, and his eyes are a beautiful hazel color. He is not wearing a shirt tight as the younger guy next to him, but Kenzy can still tell he is built. He has a light stubble lining his jaw which gives him a rugged look. The beautiful man catches Kenzy staring so she abruptly looks away. The waitress brings her coffee and Kenzy begins sipping it. When she looks up, the guy is just removing his gaze from her.

 Forty-five minutes pass and, at that time, the three guys and girl are still at their booth. Kenzy finishes the cheesecake slice she orders before tossing some moneyon the table and then leaves the diner. Walking past the window where the strangers sit, she notices all four pairs of eyes on her. Ignoring it, she heads back to the parking garage for her car. Wary and wide-eyed, Kenzy hurries down the dim, cold garage with her keys in her hand. 

As soon as she is in the car, the doors are locked. She takes a deep breath before putting the car in reverse. Retreating to the motel, Kenzy bolts the door shut, closes all the curtains, and tosses her bag on the bed. She pulls a black handgun from the bag and tucks the barrel of it into the back of her pants. She then immediately packs up her belongings and heads out the door. The red-eyed men have caught up with her again so she must leave town. She places her bags in the trunk of the car and then heads to the office to check out before speeding out of town.

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Pacing back and forth in front of the three guys sitting on a bright blue couch, Hope breathes heavily. She has been a hunter for the past few years, and it has taken a toll on her mentally and physically. It has taught her to have courage and endurance, but it has not completely eaten away at her conscience. "Am I the only one who is thinking clearly here?" she asks in an anxious tone. 

"Hope, why are you getting so worked up? This has been our plan from the beginning." Rob answers and stands up to calm her down. He places his hands on her shoulders, but she knocks them away. 

"No! Our plan has been to find the venom. I never signed up to murder anyone." Hervoice rises. 

"Who said we were killing anyone?" Max adds in, giving Hope a confused look. 

 Hope looks at Max and feels somewhat bad for him. He is the youngest in the group and can be so naïve. With his dark hair, buff body and easy eyes, anyone would take one look at Max and classify him as a pretty boy, the high school football star or even a model. It is his ability to fight and his lack of fear that gained him a spot in their group. Hope has always taken to him because of his big heart and soft nature. Max tries to see the good in everything and everyone. Rob thinks that part of Max's personality is a huge flaw that will eventually get him killed. Rob considers himself the "leader" of their posse because he is the one who got everyone together. Rob is focused, tough and sees no reason to show pity. He cares only for Hope, Max and Trojan. Everyone else is either an enemy or just in the way. He does not think twice about killing anyone who threatens him or his dysfunctional group that he calls family.