One Cold Winter's Night

chapter 2

Chapter Two

"Did you hear the news? Stacy Everett was found dumped in the local woods, poor girl."

 I overheard this tasteless tragic gossip during my shift at Smith's bakery and diner. It seemed recently like more and more people were going missing and being found dead in some public part of town, but why? How were any of these people connected? I mean I had noticed that so far every person killed hasn't had the best reputation in town but then again that isn't saying much in this hypocritical place. 

I like to see the best in people but the town's folk here make it hard, they love their gossip. Especially with their hierarchy system set up in place, that the wealthier people are better than those who are poor. But that can't be true but poor and right need each other to survive and the ecosystem of the getting richer is the hard work of others and the poor getting just enough to support themselves. That's just the world we live in, sure needs changing but I don't think that will be happening any time soon.

My thoughts were so rudely interrupted when the gossiping women yelled out for my attention. I give the counter top one last wipe down before heading over to them, of course giving them a cordial and welcoming smile. They gave me judgemental looks that they didn't know I had noticed as the duo ordered their breakfast.

 Of course I stood there like a fool allowing these women to judge me off of where I work. If I wasn't here who would serve them their precious meals? But of course I would never say this out loud, why do I have to be such a pushover? This town will say so many sweet words to your face and then flip it all around in their little gossiping circles.

And calling them out, that'll only put you on everyone's radar. I don't even need this job, my parents had left me enough money to sustain myself for the rest of my life. But working gave me something to do that made me feel like I wasn't living off of other people.the women finished rambling off their order pinning me with one more judgemental look before I turned to place their order in. Hopefully this would be a quick shift with no more talk of death, of course it wouldn't go that way

.All of my shift people going on about Stacy dying and how it was a shame, funny that none of them liked her when she was alive. Finally about two hours into my shift the gossip died down and things went back to normal, the regulars coming in and getting the same old thing. 

 I thought the rest of my shift would be normal but no in my final hour a tall man walked into the diner causing everyone to go slightly pale and speak in hushed whispers, who was he? He had to be about 6’4 with sharp steel grey eyes and jet black tousled hair, he was certainly a looker. He took long strides sitting and the bar table right in front of me, crap now I have to talk to him. He didn’t look particularly scary or mean but his aura, the vibe he gave out something was sinister about it. Hesitantly I met his eyes, they were filled with amusement.

 I guess he found my hesitation funny, I shouldn’t be judging a stranger like this. I give him a bright smile while I flip open my notepad.

 “What would you like sir?”I kept my voice steady, masking all of the nervousness that I was definitely feeling, he raised a questioning eyebrow. “What would you recommend?” his voice was rich, deep and strong having no signs of ever wavering.

I don’t know anything about him so how would he expect me to recommend something good? I’d just have to make a guess, “ since it's midday I’d say have the double cheeseburger and rosemary garlic fries. Any drink you want?”

 He seemed satisfied with my chosings for him and ordered a glass of sprite to go with his meal. I again smiled at him before turning to give his order to the cook, his eyes I could feel them watching my every move. But my anxiety at his presence was gone, I peeked over at him and that strange vibe on him was gone now.

 He just looked calm and like whatever was bothering him before was no longer an issue, thank goodness he was an easy customer. Since his meal would take some time I went to check on the other customers, they were all still speaking lowly and giving the grey eyed man sideway looks of fear and disgust, just who the hell was he? I did my rounds to every table and then took my place at the bar in front of the tall man shrouded in mystery.

His eyes were still on me and I decided I needed to break this awkward situation, “do you like sweets?” I asked this keeping my eyes looking down at the counter, I hope he didn’t find it to be a strange question and just leave me hanging. I looked up expecting him to look disengaged but, he however gave me a curt nod eyes full of curiosity more than likely wondering where this was going. Smiling at him I walk over to the dessert display and take out a piece of layered chocolate cake, I turn back to him setting the cake down in front of him with a fork.

 “I hope this doesn’t ruin your appetite, since orders are backed and you have a bit of wait time I thought you might like a treat. Don’t worry it’s on me.” I give him a friendly smile which he returns after the surprised look leaves his face, “thank you. “His voice is low and thoughtful, “ no problem sir.” he shook his head while chewing his first bite of the dessert, when he finished chewing and swallowing the cake he spoke. “Call me Xavier, sir is too upity for me. And I can see from your name tag that you’re  Isabella. Nice to finally meet a good person in this forsaken town.”

I nodded my head in understanding, thanking him for the compliment, it’s true that these townspeople needed a personality adjustment. We were in a comfortable silence after that, finally his meal was done. He requested a to go bag instead, saying the wait was too long and the stares were becoming annoying. I did this last thing for him before clocking out of my shift, we walked out the doors together.

 “I’ll be seeing you around more often now, I'll be making sure of it.” And then with a wave he was gone, his parting words were a little strange but the only thing in my mind now was getting home and sleeping. He didn’t pop up in my mind again until that night, why would he be going out of his way to see me? Xavier, who the hell are you? Do I even want to know?