Run

Chapter Two

It was the day of the Purge, the day that Rowan dreaded the most, her mother had already called her that morning before she had left for work. Her mother had warned to her to stay safe and that she had a terrible feeling that something was about to happen to her only child. Rowan still carried the weapon that her mother had given her on the day that she had left, it was not only because of the Purge that she had it with her. It was also that she heard that many people in that neighbourhood had been held at gunpoint and mugged. She had often worked in the diner late at night and did not want to walk outside without something to protect her.

However so far Rowan had only been cat called as she worked home and grabbed by horny old men in the diner as she worked. She had put up with it as she needed the job to pay her bills, she had to try so hard not to slap them in their stupid ass faces. But the creeps were good tippers and she had to pretend that she was none the wiser to their wandering hands.

Rowan had not yet dated since she arrived at LA, although she was not short of admirers, Carlos had tried many times to persuade her to go on a date with him but she had heard rumours that he was a bit of a male slut. Tanya had even tried to convince her but she did not like him in that way, she knew that once he had her then he would soon lose interest. He had asked her several times to give her a ride home, but as she lived close by Rowan would refuse; she did not trust his intentions. Rowan was no virgin she had been with men before but she never had the best luck with them. The last relationship ended badly after she found her boyfriend in bed with her so called best friend, she had not trusted men ever since. Friends had warned her that she should not tarnish men with the same brush, but inside she was scared to open herself up again.

That morning at the diner it was busy than Rowan had first thought it would be, she had blamed the preparation for the annual Purge. People buying supplies to secure their homes against looters and intruders, it would be the first time that she would spent the night alone. It made her nervous thinking about it that she found herself becoming distracted as she worked. It caused her to make small mistakes on orders and getting yelled at by the manager.

Rowan was moved behind to behind the counter, serving coffee and drinks to the customers. Eva had walked behind the counter to speak to her, she had noticed that the young girl had plenty on her mind. They had become close friends over the months that Rowan had moved next door, she was worried that something may be plaguing her.

'Everything okay Row?' Eva asks her, pulling Rowans attention away from the customers.

'Yeah I'm good. Why do you ask?'

'You look like you have your head up in the clouds'

'I'm sorry. It's this dam night, I hate it' Rowan tells her as she puts away the coffee jug 'It's the first time I will be on my own and I'm worried about my mom'

'Why don't you come and spend the night with me and Cali? my dad will be there too'

'Are you sure, about that? I don't want to be in the way or anything'

'Yes. If you want to, I'm sure Cali and my dad would be okay if you stayed over' she tells Rowan 'We are friends and I would worry if you were on your own'

'Thanks Eva that's kind of you'

'It's nothing. I don't have an extra room but you could crash on the sofa'

'That's okay by me. Are you sure this is okay?'

'I'm sure come over at four. I have to stay late and talk with the boss but Zoe and my dad should be at home'

'Thanks, so much Eva. I appreciate it'

Rowan wraps her arms around Eva's neck and hugs her, grateful to be sharing the night with her friends.