03: The Diner

ROXANNE POV

The cool evening air brushed against my skin as I walked down the block, grocery bags in hand.

My car—a dented old sedan I was still making payments on—sat a few blocks away.

A nagging feeling crept over me as if someone was following me and I glanced over my shoulder.

Something felt off.

Instead of heading toward my car, I kept walking, tightening my grip on the grocery bags.

The block wasn't completely deserted, but it was sparse enough that help would be hard to find.

Then I saw it—the small diner where I've been working the night shift, its neon sign glowing faintly in the distance. It was tucked into a quiet corner of the block.

I headed straight for it, quickening my pace without breaking into a full run.

As I neared the entrance, I caught sight of a few people inside, their voices faintly audible even through the glass.

Relief washed over me. Pushing the door open, I was greeted by the familiar clang of the bell above it.

The owner, Gladys, stood behind the counter, chatting with a man in a uniform—a cop I hadn't seen around here before.

"Evening, Roxanne." Gladys called with a wave, her plump face lighting up in a warm smile.

I waved back, offering a small smile of my own and slid into an empty booth by the window.

Setting the grocery bags on the seat beside me, I stared out at the street, my eyes scanning for any sign of movement.

The street was quiet. No one was following me.

My gaze stayed fixed on the sidewalk until Gladys joined me a moment later.

She plopped down into the seat across from me. "Everything okay, hon? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"Yeah." I said, quickly, forcing a laugh. "Just a long day. Grocery shopping wears me out, apparently."

Her eyes softened, but I could tell she wasn't entirely convinced.

"You've got to stop working so hard. When's the last time you did something nice for yourself?" She asked, furrowing her brows.

"I do plenty of nice things for myself." I mumbled, glancing the other way.

It's been a year since I fled to a town on the other side of the city, piecing my life together by working at the diner for a few months and scraping by on my own.

"Uh-huh." Gladys leaned back, folding her arms. "And I suppose you're just here for the view?"

We both laughed.

"Well, let me know if you need anything. You've got to take care of yourself." She smiled, warmly.

I nodded, feeling a little bit of ease as she lowered her voice. "And you see him? He's new around here."

I followed her gaze, watching as the Cop stood, adjusted his belt and nodded politely to Gladys before leaving.

"He seems...interesting." I teased, raising an eyebrow.

Gladys rolled her eyes, standing up with a playful huff. "Get out of here. I'm giving you a meal on the house, but you're working early tonight."

I chuckled, nodding. "Thanks, Gladys. I owe you one."

The meal was warm and comforting, just like everything Gladys made.

After finishing, I left my groceries with her behind the counter and headed to the bathroom to freshen up before leaving.

The lights buzzed softly as I stood in front of the mirror, brushing back loose strands of my dark curls.

For the first time in a while, I actually liked what I saw.

I was washing my hands when a muffled pop echoed through the dining area. A gunshot?

I froze, my breath catching in my throat. Slowly, I crept toward the door and cracked it open just enough to peek.

Gladys was slumped over the counter, a masked man pressing a gun to her head. The patrons who had been inside earlier now sat motionless, their heads pressed down against the tables.

Before I could react, heavy footsteps approached the bathroom.

I barely had time to move before the door yanked open, a man in a mask lunged at me.

"No!" I screamed, kicking and clawing as he grabbed my arms.

I twisted my body, driving my knee into his side. He cursed, his grip loosening just enough for me to break free.

I bolted for the exit, but another man blocked my path.

He grabbed me by the waist, dragging me backward as I thrashed and screamed, but it was no use.

"Stop struggling!" He growled, his voice muffled by his mask.

They dragged me through the diner's back door and into the alley behind it. I kicked and twisted, but one of them pressed a gun to my temple, freezing me in place.

"Move." He ordered, shoving me forward.

As I stumbled into the alley, my heart plummeted. Standing there, leaning casually against a car, was Kendrick.

His smug grin stretched across his face, his eyes gleaming with the same malice I remembered.

"Roxie, Roxie." He drawled, his voice as smooth and taunting as ever. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"

With a casual wave of his hand, he motioned for the masked men to leave. They obeyed without question, heading back into the diner, leaving the two of us alone in the alley.

"I've missed you." He continued, his voice dripping with mock sweetness as he stepped closer.

I stepped back, my heart pounding in my chest. "How did you...find me?"

Kendrick sighed, circling me like a predator sizing up its prey. "I will always find you."

He smirked, the kind that made my skin crawl. "Besides, Garry's been missing his little pet. He really wants you back home...but then again, so do I."

His gaze slid over me, deliberate and invasive. He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from my face.

I flinched.

"It's been dull without you, you know." He continued, his tone dripping with mockery. "Wiping out a whole gang, that easily? It was a bold move, even for a puppet like you. I'm still a little impressed."

My stomach churned at his words, but before I could respond, he moved closer, shoving me against the brick wall. His hands gripped my arms and I twisted, shoving at his chest.

"Don't you dare touch me!" My voice came out sharp, a defiance I hadn't felt in years.

Kendrick only laughed, stepping back as if amused by my resistance. "Why not? You were supposed to be my future wife."

He yanked my hair without warning, pulling me so close I could feel his breath on my skin. "You've grown so much, haven't you? I wonder if Garry will even recognize you."

Pain shot through my scalp, but I refused to let him see my fear. Gritting my teeth, I drove my knee into his groin with all the force I could muster.

He doubled over, groaning in pain and I shoved him hard, making him stumble. His laughter turned into a wheezing chuckle.

"You'll regret that." He snarled, his voice rough with pain.

I didn't wait for his next move, I turned and bolted down the alley.

"You can run for now!" He called after me, his voice echoing in the narrow space. "But you can't hide, Roxie! You'll be sorry, whether Garry likes it or not!"

I didn't look back. I sprinted toward the end of the alley, darting into the open and heading toward the area where my car was parked.

Relief washed over me when I saw him—a cop, standing nearby, beside his cruiser on the block. It was the same cop who'd been sitting in the diner earlier.

"Please, help!" I gasped, grabbing his arm. "There are people—hostages—in the diner. Armed men."

The officer's eyes narrowed as he steadied me, his grip firm.

"Take a deep breath." He said, his voice calm. "I'll handle it from here."

I nodded, trembling. His gaze lingered on me a little too long and his posture wasn't one of urgency.

As I stepped back, preparing to leave, he reached for the radio on his shoulder.

"Got her." He said into the receiver. The static crackled, followed by a voice that made my blood run cold.

"Good. Keep her there until I say so." Kendrick's familiar tone echoed through the radio and my heart dropped.

The officer's eyes met mine, his expression unreadable but dangerous.

Panic gripped me. I stumbled back, my mind racing as the horrifying realization hit me.

He wasn't here to help. He was working with them.

Without a second thought, I turned and bolted toward my car, which was in sight just ahead.

The cop's shouts echoed behind me, but I didn't stop.

People on the street watched as I ran past, their faces blank, as if seeing a cop chasing a girl down was just another random part of their day.

Nearing my car, I fumbled through my pockets for the keys, my heart pounding in my chest.

Just as I reached the driver's door, I screamed as the cop tackled me from behind. His hands gripped mine, trying to pin me to the ground.

"It doesn't have to be like this, Roxanne." He growled, wrestling with me as I fought to break free.

"Fuck you!" I yelled, my nails catching his eyes. He cursed loudly, rolling off me, clutching his face.

I didn't hesitate. I shoved him away, rushed to unlock the door and threw myself inside.

Slamming the door shut, I jammed the keys into the ignition, my hands shaking as I sped off.

As I merged onto the main road, thoughts raced through my mind.

The idea of starting fresh somewhere far away began to feel like my only option—but if I planned to leave the country, I'd need a fake passport and I was already low on cash.

But before I could process it fully, a figure appeared suddenly in the middle of the crosswalk.

I slammed on the brakes, honked the horn, my eyes locked on the green stoplight, but it was too late.

My heart jumped into my throat as the man rolled off the hood of my car. I froze, my body still as I stared.

Did I just hit him?