The Shadow

Chapter 1

Hey there! This is my very first creation on Wattpad, and it's actually not too bad, so if you could literally give this story 2 minutes of your time to see if you like it, I'd really appreciate it! I promise that you'll like it...well actually I can't completely promise that because I don't really know you...but still, 2 minutes! Thanks :)

"...reports of gunfire in Debbie's Diner last night. When cops arrived, they found a hostage situation resolved, thanks to The Shadow. Looks like Casadee Falls has its very own superhero. In related news..." 

"June!" The shrill voice from the kitchen had me scrambling to shut off the news, and I had just managed to bring the soapy rag to the counter when Julia, my boss, came bursting into the eating area. "Did I hear the television?" she accused, her eyes glaring daggers at me. 

"No, my phone was ringing," I lied, smiling sheepishly at the plastic grandma in front of me. Julia was about sixty, but she insisted on trying to look like a teen with a few too many surgeries and botox treatments. Her face was caked with makeup to the point where I wondered what she really looked like, and cheap acrylic claws were stuck on the ends of her fingers. The woman desperately needed help...and an attitude adjustment.

"Why was your phone on?" she interrogated, and I struggled not to roll my eyes at her. No one was even in the diner considering it was nine and the winter sun had already set. Why the hell would having my phone on even matter?

"My car isn't working so my mom has to pick me up and I was waiting for her call."

Convincing enough, I guess. She studied me critically for a moment before pointing one long red nail at me. "Shut the damn thing off and get back to work," she hissed before turning back to the kitchen.

Now, why would I want to work for such a b*tch? Well, I've asked myself that a lot for the past year I've worked at Dee's Stop, and quitting has crossed my mind a few times, too. But the truth is, I need the money. I'm already sixteen, but I have hardly any money saved for college yet and it'll be here before I know it. The good tips I get are enough to get me through the days full of her whining and mood swings. Which is every day. Like all the time.

"Reagan!" God, that voice will be the death of me. "Yes?" I responded, trying my best to keep the annoyed edge out of my voice. "This had better be spotless when I come in tomorrow morning."

She was wearing a large fur coat and holding her snake skin purse, and I immediately felt bad for whichever poor animals died to be worn by her. It was literally punishment after death. My boss headed for the door, turning the sign to "closed" before swinging it open.

"You're leaving?" I asked, completely unbeleiving. She was the owner of the place, and she wouldn't even see to it that her workers had left before she did. 

"Yes. And like I said: spotless." The small bells on the door chimed as it closed behind her, bringing in the cold air from outside. At least I wouldn't have to deal with her Royal B*tchness while I cleaned.

I let out a long breath as soon as her car was out of sight, glad that I was finally free from her constant nagging. I wiped down the counters quickly before sweeping the floor. Satisfied with my job, I grabbed my things quickly, eager to get home and go to bed for school tomorrow. It was a Sunday night and already 10:30, and I could tell it was going to be a long week.

I sighed, turning off the lights behind the counter. "Keys. Keys. Keys," I chanted, patting down my pockets before digging through my purse. "Damn it. C'mon," I muttered, beginning to panic as I couldn't find them. I emptied the contents of my purse on the counter, spreading them around in a now frantic search for my keys. I could hardly see a thing in the dark, and I reached for the lights, frustrated. It was then that I heard the familiar chime of bells coming from the front door.