Ell Sadem

FOUR: THE SHOOTING

AN/ I applaud you if you've mad it this far and thanks are in order. So, thank you
Also, quick warning this one is violent as the title implies so uh... Idk what you want really, you have been warned.

I wander aimlessly down the dirt path taking in the quiet scenery, the warm air caressing my face comfortingly, the musty scent heralding rain.
Thunder rumbles in the distance, the heavy vale of dark clouds slowly moving on the high wind as it picks up.

I should get to Pop’s before it starts. It isn’t far from here. I stop and look up past the dark green canopy to see the overcast sky beyond; I don’t like the way it’s looking, the only thing I like about rain is the excuse it gives me to stay in and read a book, maybe even the smell.

A frigid drop hits my face, the temperature dropping.

Yep, time for me to get going, I can’t avoid Evan forever. I sigh casting one last forlorn look at the canopy and start on a light jog, my bookbag lightly tapping my back.

I reach the diner just in time, the sky breaking open as the door clicks shut and the bell chimes. It had even been fairly hot after school too, now it's so cold that there's hail. The weather here's freaky.

I carefully scan the room before taking a seat with my back to the wall and pull out my sketchbook to wait for Evan, my mind going to what I’m going to order. Maybe some pie… I’m not too hungry, so that and some coffee will do.

A waiter clears his throat and I look up to see a sunny smile in contrast with the depressing weather outside. “What can I get for you, ma’am?”
I hum giving the menu a quick once over before handing it back to him, “A coffee and apple pie, thanks.”

He smiles again and walks off, his rank green.
I sink into the padded bench going back to my sketching as he marches off; maybe if I’m lucky Evan will forget that he’s supposed to meet me here. While it's true the project might get us a bad grade if we don’t work on it together… I prefer not to be around him.

Halfway through my sketch the coffee and pie are slid onto the table and the waiter disappears without a word, leaving me to myself as he keeps busy with the other patrons.

I take a break, sipping the coffee to see if it needs the sugar and cream or not. It plainly doesn't so I keep it black, studying the rough lines that compose the early stages of a landscape.

The little bell above the door chimes and out of habit I glance over at the door and choke on my coffee.

There, soaking wet in a red T-shirt and jeans, is none other than Ritcher.

So my nemesis has arrived at last; I watch as the waiter and him talk for a moment.

The waiter glances over his shoulder at me then back to Evan talking a little longer before he walks to my table.

I do my best to keep my face neutral, the truth is it's become less and less of a fear factor and more of a dislike with how often I see him.

He sits down across from me, tapping his fingers on the table. After a long moment, he finally says something. “So, Elliana Mercy?”

I blink slowly, trying to figure him out. “Why'd you ask?”

He doesn't answer, just stares me in the eyes as if he's reading my soul.