~Avery's POV~
I had been to the grocery store, to the post office, and was now heading to the small cafe down the road from where I was staying. I had walked past it for the past three days now when I took my evening strolls. The only thing that kept me from losing my mind. I had been a week since I left the pack and I hadn't heard anything from anyone except Natasha. She and I were the only ones who stayed in touch.
Nature always had this way of calming me down. Of bringing me comfort and slowing my thoughts. Something I was much in need of at this point.
This week since I left James and the others, since I left my home felt like a year. I was doing fairly okay, everybody at the B&B was welcoming and nice.
For some reason, even though the thought of war scared me to my core, I wanted it to come. Nothing can end before it starts. I wanted this war to be over so that our lives could resume as they had. Only this time, it would be honest, real, and genuine. I wouldn't have a wizard in my head controlling me.
I made a right turn and drove up to the small, secluded cafe on the side of the road. Natasha had left me a small red Fiat for me to drive. I've had a license since I was sixteen but never had my own car. I never drove much in general. However, I picked it up quite quickly.
The cafe was colored pink on the outside with a large neon sign on a pole that read 'Tasha's Take Away'. They also served food; breakfast, dinner, and sometimes held functions, according to too the lovely people at the B&B.
As I walked in, a bell on the door rang indicating someone's presence, but I had been so jumpy lately that the doorbell made me turn around in shock.
The inside of the cafe has the same pink theme. Albeit a little darker than I would assume seeing the sunshine brightly outside. The round tables were chocolate brown, while the adjoining seating areas were pink leather. The bar desk was pink as well but a lighter shade and where the counter opened, there was a brown wooden lid. There were pictures of Audrey Hepburn and Elvis along with countless other icons hanging on the walls. There was a blue and black acoustic guitar hanging beside a clock. The guitar had different autographs on it. I couldn't believe it when I walked in. The feeling of time traveling had never been this distinct for me. I absolutely adored it.
I walked up to the cashier. She had big puffy hair that reminded me of the movie 'Hairspray'.
She wore a big smile showing her teeth and I noticed a golden star on one of them.
"How can I help you, dear?" She asked me as she brought up a pad and a pen.
"Could I have a vanilla latte please?" I asked her politely. The woman smiled sweetly at me before grabbing a menu and passing it to me.
"We ain't got none of those fancy beverages here, sweetheart. Here is what we have. We're big on milkshakes and breakfast so you're gonna see a lot of that on the menu. However, if you want something easier going, we have regular coffee or hazelnut brew. We also have some different teas if that's what floats your boat." The woman said in a southern accent I hadn't noticed before.
I skimmed through the menu and decided to try something new.
"Alright, I'll try the chocolate ice swirl with a plate of pancakes please." I said, a little unsure of myself. The cashier whose name I read to be Wendy, took the menu from my hands.
"Great choice." She said with a wink before handing over the note through a hole in the wall. Behind which I'm assuming their kitchen was.
"You can just relax and sit down darling and I'll bring your food when it's ready." She said and pointed to the empty seats behind me.
I thanked her and walked over to one of the tables next to the window. I sat down on the pink leather sofa and took off my jacket, making myself comfortable.
I'm not sure why but I've always favored sitting next to a window and overlooking the crowd. I feel more in control that way like I'm seeing everything.
As I was admiring the pictures and accessories hanging on the wall, the doorbell rang once again. I looked toward the door and saw a large-built man walk in. His arms were two times the size of James and his stature was bold and intimidating.
He had tattoos along the base of his throat as well as on his chest. His arms were covered as well and through the t-shirt he was wearing I could tell that there was something tucked inside his jeans.
"Baby!" Wendy called as she jumped over the bar and into the arms of the man. He wrapped his arms around her and they looked so very loving. He reached down for the object in the hem of his pants and pulled out a box.
"Here you go baby, happy anniversary." The man said in the same loving voice. Wendy squealed and kissed his lips before returning to her station. The man stood there, looking around the empty venue before his eyes stopped at me. He took long and quick steps towards me until he hovered over my head.
"Excuse me, Ms. Is it okay if I have a seat?" He asked me and pointed to an empty seat on the other side of the table. I nodded my head and squirmed uncomfortably where I sat. Not because of him, but because this was the first time I'd had to interact with anyone.
Natasha firmly told me before we left that I am not to trust a single soul. Her exact words were, 'No one is who they say they are'.
"So," the man started.
"What's a young girl like you doing all the way out here, alone?" He asked me with a stare that gave me chills. He licked his lips and kept his sleazy-looking glare locked with mine.