Outlawed (Cole Pendery)

Anticipation

Anticipation

"Morning Landen, Emi!" I said through an impolite yawn, walking into the kitchen. Emi must have woken early, oh God, or I must have slept in. This isn't even my house!

"Did I sleep in? I'm so sorry!" I added before Landen could say anything, once again, being impolite.

"It's OK, Alana. I want you to feel comfortable here until you get your own apartment." Landen said, sending me a 'boss's' smile.

"Thank you, I promise I won't be here too long, I already have a few apartments in mind." Apartment? I haven't even thought about moving out...

"Oh, also, work starts in half an hour." He said, changing moods.

"OK!" I faked enthusiasm, scared that Landen might catch on to my sarcastic remark.

I gave Emily a morning hug before disappearing into the bedroom and changing. From the closet, I picked out a plain blouse, midnight skirt, and a pale buttoned blazer. My shoes were brown leather, and my blonde waves tied in a tight, high bun. I walked outside the house with my leather bag only to find that the chill is twice as cold as Sydney, so I waddled back into the house and put on thick black stockings.

Once I started to wonder the streets I took seize of some papers from my bag, scared that they'll wash away with the intense wind. Reading the location for the interview I have to take notes for, my eyelids began to feel heavy. Did I even sleep last night?

Starbucks.

I need Starbucks. Does Melbourne even have Starbucks? Oh my God, what if there is no Starbucks here. Three years without Starbucks. No, no, no, no, no! There has to be one of the coffee shops here.

"Excuse me?" I kindly approached a couple of middle-aged ladies who looked nice enough, desperate for my morning caffeine.

"Yes, darling?" One of the ladies asked.

"Hi, I’m Alana," that was the right thing to do, yeah? Tell her my name.

"My names Jen and this is my cousin, Jess." The lady with purple lipstick said.

"Oh, um, okay, thanks? Where is Starbucks?" I said, the only rational excuse for my awkwardness is that I'm from a different city.

"Starbucks?" The other lady, Jess asked. She doesn't know what Starbucks is. They have never heard of Starbucks. No Starbucks. Oh, world, please let the wind whisk me away somewhere green and filled with coffee.

They both burst into hysterics, leaving me in utter confusion.

"Starbucks is right behind you, dear." Jen said and my cheeks flushed.

"Oh, thank you." I quickly walked away; I was just humiliated by two old ladies, sure that I made their day.

I sighed in relief when the familiar green sign cleared in front of me.

I ordered my usual pumpkin spice Frappuccino and sipped the beautiful coffee in awe.

Walking in the busy streets with my Starbucks and directions, I finally found my way to Sheen's Bakery.

No one was there when I arrived, only a few people setting up the camera and such. I took this as an opportunity to inspect the place. Ducking under the yellow tape, I reluctantly walked into the terrorised bakery.

It looked horrible, but not scary. I could tell this place was once pretty. There was a huge amount much damage done, the windows smashed, glass and plaster shattered inside.

Behind the counter, my eyes widened in shock. I shoved the papers back in my bag and reached out for the silver necklace that seemed so familiar to me. I grimaced at it, there was some sought of symbol carved onto it, the symbol was complicated, lines coming from different directions. Two words were written on the top and bottom, Leachane and Pendery. Names, I think. They are both completely unfamiliar to me. But the symbol...