There was a rush of movement and my heart began to race; I knew who it was. He’d come back for me. “Ethan?”
Someone grabbed my shoulders and started digging their sharp nails into my skin. I was shoved roughly to the ground and the shadow jumped on top of me. “Amy?” I whispered in horror.
Amy’s eyes were filled with hate. “He’s mine,” she growled, her slit wrists bleeding onto my white dress. She opened her mouth and her pointy fangs closed in on my neck.
I opened my eyes and let out a shaky breath. Just a dream.
Someone rapped on my door.
“Hey, twerp!”
“Yeah, come in,” I mumbled, sitting up.
“Get ready,” said Nathan. “I have to drop you off early at the diner. Mom needs the car as soon as I get back from purchasing a battery.”
I looked at my alarm clock. It was already after two o’clock. “Okay,” I said.
His eyes narrowed. “Are you doing okay?”
“Just a little tired.”
He pointed at me. “Don’t leave the diner after dark unless Duncan is with you.”
“Yeah, okay.”
He stared at me for a minute and then nodded. “Then, I’ll be outside waiting for you. You have a half hour to get ready.”
“Okay, I’ll hurry.”
I took a quick shower, put my uniform on, and spent a little extra time with my makeup. Then I pinned my damp hair up and stared into the mirror. I had to admit, I was definitely beginning to look more like my mother every day. I decided it was a good thing and smiled.
Nathan laid on the horn outside and I rushed out to meet him in mom’s car.
“Makeup, huh? Trying to get more tips?” smiled Nathan.
I shrugged. “I could certainly use the money.”
“I hear you. So, what do you think about last night? Pretty crazy, huh?”
“It was freaky, that’s for sure. I still don’t know what happened, exactly.”
“I’m starting to think we really do have ghosts lurking around the cabin. That could be the real reason why mom’s renting it so cheap.”
“Makes sense.”
We drove the rest of the way in silence and he dropped me off in front of the diner, warning me to stay put when my shift was over.
“You worry too much,” I said. “I’m not going anywhere. I’ll wait for Duncan.”
“Here’s Duncan’s cell phone number,” he said, handing me a slip of paper. “If there’s a problem, call me or him.”
“Okay, thanks.”
When he finally drove off, I went into the diner and ran into Rosie in the back room.
“How’s it going, Nikki?”
I smiled. “Pretty good. We were really swamped yesterday so Susan didn’t get a chance to show me too much.”
“Yeah, I heard. Since you’re early, I’ll go over some things with you, myself.”
“Thanks.”
Rosie went over the menus and showed me how to write up meal tickets. Then she gave me some pointers on how to juggle multiple tables and get them in and out as quickly as possible. When we were done, my head was spinning, but I felt like I was starting to get a little handle on things.
“Don’t worry. It’s going to take a while, but you’ll get used to it. And, honey, don’t be afraid to tell the customers you’re new. They’ll have more patience and might even tip you better.”
“Oh, I’m all for that. Thanks.”
“You’ll do just fine here,” she said, patting me on the shoulder. “Just do your best, and eventually things will fall together.”
“Thanks, Rosie.”
When Susan showed up, I shadowed her for half the day, and then I was given a couple of my own tables.
“You’re doing great,” said Rosie, after I served a large platter of food to one of my tables. “Keep it up.”
“Thanks.”
The time flew by quickly and by the time my shift was over, I’d made almost thirty dollars in tips. I was so giddy that I texted Nathan, who was happy for me.
“Listen, is there any way you can work a little later tonight?” asked Rosie, as I was about to punch out. “We could really use you until eleven o’clock. Darlene called in sick and I need all the help I can get. Since it’s Friday night, we’re going to get slammed soon.”
“Okay. Let me call my ride and let him know. I’m sure it will be fine.”
I grabbed my phone and called Duncan.
“Okay,” he said, after I explained why they needed my help. “I’ll be there promptly at eleven, though I’ll expect a tip.”
I giggled. “I think I can manage that.”
We had a rush of customers around nine o’clock, and I was running ragged, trying to keep my orders right and not piss anyone off. By the time it was ten-thirty, I heaved a sigh of relief; the diner was finally clearing out.