“There’s a thought.” She tilted her head to once side and looked back down the hall. She could still hear her friend snoring, not as loudly from the distance, but clearly he was still asleep. “He’ll be hungry when he wakes up too. I could go into town and get breakfast for us and have it back before he gets up...” She was bored, restless, this seemed like as good an occupation as any. Grabbing her jacket and scarf, she headed out the door and began the trek into town. A sign near the road had mentioned it only being two or three miles, she couldn’t remember specifically so there was no need in wasting the gas they had left in the car. It was too hard to fill the tank as it was without wasting it on such a trivial drive. It was a lovely morning anyway, not quite cold enough to see her breath and the sun was shining brightly. The walk would keep her busy and do her good, she wasn’t used to sitting still.
Yorketown was lovely. Small and rustic, it had a sort of Hallmark movie appeal to it. She wondered if she’d see a camera crew filming around some corner at any minute. Old brick buildings lined Main Street, giving it an antique look as if it hadn’t changed in decades. Her first stop had been the corner store where she purchased a box of brown dye to re-color her hair with. All the while being stared at by the cashiers and customers.
“New in town?” the checkout boy asked. She simply nodded, keeping her eyes on the magazines and candy around the register.
“Enjoy your stay.” He said as he handed her the bag with her item. She left as soon as she gave him the money with a mumbled, ‘Keep the change.’ About a mile into town, she found a small diner and went inside. It was quaint, holding to the style and feel of the old diners in the 50’s movies. She took a seat at the bar and scanned a menu, ignoring how she was being stared at here as well until a waitress came rolling up on roller-skates.
“What can I get ya, honey?” The lady asked, smacking on chewing gum loudly. It was all the girl could do to keep from smiling. They were really playing the old 50’s diner part thoroughly.
“Pancake breakfast and bacon and eggs breakfast please?”
The waitress raised one brow. “For here or to go?” It was clear the woman couldn’t see her eating that much alone and she laughed
“To go please, my friend is home and I thought I’d surprise him.” The waitress face softened and she nodded.
“Got’cha, kid. Comin’ right up.” She turned to go, but paused. “You’re new in town, aren’t ya?”
She bristled a little, but forced herself to relax, tucking a loose strand of hair behind one ear and slouching in her seat a little. “Is it that obvious?” She asked, remembering the store from earlier.
“Mhmm, not every day we get a stranger in this diner. See that fella over there?” The girl followed the finger pointing under her nose and nodded. “He’s been here every morning, ordered the same breakfast, for going on twenty years now. What’s your name?”
“M-” She began but stopped, “Tess Summers.” The waitress, Marie, by her name tag, smiled again and gave the counter in front of Tess a pat.
“Well, its nice to know ya, Tess. I’ll have that breakfast right out so you can get back to your beau.” Tess’ eyes widened and she choked on her own air.
“He’s not my-” but Marie was gone before she could argue. Slapping a hand over her eyes and leaning her elbows on the counter, She groaned. The whole town would think she was on a honeymoon and he’d kill her when he found out. A television on the wall to her right caught her ear as the news anchor related a story and it didn’t escape her notice that every eye was glued to the T.V. as the man spoke.
“It has been reported that a series of events in Washington have law enforcement on high alert. A young couple were reported to be part of what has come to be known as “The Kaminski Virus.”’ he shuffled some papers around on his desk and then looked at the camera, Tess sank a little lower in her seat as two images appeared on screen. “The two young people as you seen on screen, are in their late teens to early twenties. The male is around 5’11” with red hair and multi-colored eyes, the female is 5’ even with oddly pale skin, white hair and blue eyes. Unfortunately this is all the information we have on hand at the current time. If you see or hear anything about these two, please alert your local authority immediately. They are assumed deadly.” She looked away from the T.V. the salt shaker before her suddenly fascinating. A few minutes later, Marie returned with a bag in hand. She set it down and smiled, leaning on the counter.
“Here you go, hon. You enjoy and bring that fella of yours in sometime before you leave, all right?” She winked at Tess and the girl stood, forcing a smile as she took the food and hurried out the door. The sun-shine was being covered in grey clouds that seemed to thicken as she walked. By the time Tess made it back to the cabin, it was drizzling with rain and even colder than when she left. She pulled the front door open and called out to the house, “I got some breakfast!” |
