Avenging Angel

((1))

Monroe clutched her bag to her side as she struggled to unlock the front door of her cafè. Even after five years of owning the place, she still wasn't used to being up before the sun. It was four thirty on a Sunday morning in Willisborough, New York. A small town outside an even smaller town. There wasn't a whole lot to do in Willisborough, aside from going to her cafè, the library, or the run-down community park next to the ancient church. But, Monroe loved it just the same.

She plucked a stray hair away from her face and entered her office, stowing her bag and keys in her desk drawer, she prepared herself to begin preparations for the breakfast rush in a few hours.

Satisfied with the day's specials and how the counter and displays were arranged, Monroe flipped the sign on the front window from closed to open it wasn't long after that, that Mister Aimes strolled in for his morning coffee and bear claw.

"Morning Mister Aimes."

"Morning Roe. Anything new to try?"

"Even if there was, you'd still get that bear claw of yours."

"You know me too well."

"I would sure hope so. But, I do have chocolate chip pumpkin muffins."

"They sound sinful, I'll take one and a chocolate bear claw. Along with my usual coffee."

"Anything for you Mister Aimes." Monroe bagged his selected pastries and fixed his drink.

"I'll see you at lunch." Monroe smiled and waved goodbye. The usual customers filed through her door until the usual staleness that was the three hours before her lunch rush. She sat on a stool after refilling the displays and updating the lunch specials.

The bell dinged. How odd. Monroe placed down the newspaper she'd been perusing and went to the front. A man she'd never seen before stood in front of the display of muffins, he hadn't seen her yet. It was uncommon for Monroe not to know someone. Who was this man?

"Welcome to Reid's Cafè, how may I help you?"

"Oh yes, hello. I was wondering if you were hiring? I'm new to town."

"Oh, well I could always use the help... what's your name?"

"Azrael Wilkes." He had an accent she couldn't place. It wasn't southern, nor British...and it didn't sound European or Asian.

"Where are you from?" Monroe questioned before she could stop herself.

"Everywhere. I've picked up almost every accent imaginable and made it my own."

"Well, if you've been everywhere, what are you doing in such a boring town?"

"Hmm, boring isn't the word I'd describe, Miss-"

"Monroe Reid. Baker, reader, cook, barista...the town's black sheep."

"Really, pray to tell, why are you a black sheep?"

"I'm one of two of the only orphans and the youngest businesswoman in the county."

"How old are you then?"

"Twenty, twenty one next week. I inherited the shop at fifteen."

"How did they die?" Azrael already knew this, but Monroe wasn't ready to know that.

"They went to the city, to see some play, I think it was Shakespeare or something classic like that. They were in a car accident, two minutes from the town line, two measly minutes. If that drunk hadn't if he hadn't left the bar when he did, if he waited two minutes, my parents would still be here with me. Two minutes changed my life."