Chapter 3 The people

Those pitch black eyes continued to linger in her thoughts, as if it was right in front of her.

There was something about the way the young man looked at her that sent unfamiliar shivers throughout her entirety.

No matter how many times she tries to make sense of it all. She could not figure why she could not remove it from her mind.

Also, her consciousness did not wander off some place during the entire time. As if the guy had completely pulled everything around her.

She only returned to reality, catching the muffling sound of a sweet voice, together with a shadow waving at her peripheral vision.

Selene flinches, shaking her head to wake herself from the daze. Followed by an immediate gulp, because of the sudden dryness in her throat.

“You all right, dear?”

It was aunt Penelope, staring at her with a frown. Worry etched on her face, realizing she’d been dozing their entire conversation.

“Yes, aunty.”

Selene was quick to put on her smile, hurrying to finish the food in her place. Her coffee had also gotten cold from the length of her pondering.

“As I was saying, someone told me you got into a trouble yesterday.”

Aunt Penelope’s expression became more concerned. A crease now showing on her forehead from the deep frown she was throwing.

“Oh, that. It was just a misunderstanding.”

Selene tried to laugh it off, lowering her head to hide the reddening of her face from shame and embarrassment.

She did not think Lucas and his group were going to be so protective of her, escorting her all the way home after her shift ended.

Of course, she was thankful for what they did, if not for the fact everyone in town had their eyes on her all throughout.

“But I heard one of the local boys tried to hurt you.”

Aunt Penelope heaved a sigh, sensing the girl’s elusion about the topic.

That was when Selene looked up again, shoulder tensing upon catching the doubt in her aunt’s voice, causing fear. She’d been sensitive to it, remembering all too well what that meant.

“That didn’t happen. Lucas came to my rescue. And he and that other guy only glared at each other. Until the boss intervened, ending the whole thing.”

She came clean with everything that had happened, not wanting to end up being called a lier again.

That only made her aunt to let out another deep sigh, shaking her head in disapproval before looking at her with saddened eyes.

“You know, you don’t have to work if you don’t want to.”

Aunt Penelope threw in a half smile.

That put Selene at ease, seeing how the woman remained, giving out that kind and understanding gaze. Her shoulder relaxed as she leaned back in her chair.

“Don’t worry, aunty. Mister Ben said he’ll let me work the counter.”

She gleefully informed her, before munching on the last piece of bread on her plate.

“Wouldn’t that be harder?”

Her aunt frowned.

“It’s all right.”

Relieved, she could now lose the giggle out of her chest. But her reaction only causes a shadow of worry to graze the woman’s face.

Upon seeing this, she quickly thinks of another topic. Not wanting to leave a bitter taste on their meal.

“By the way, aunt Penelope. Is Lucas in the army?”

It was the first thing that came to her, thinking she might know something.

Aunt Penelope flinch, slowly backing away as her mouth opened to speak, but then paused at the last second to ponder.

“Why do you ask?”

She put on a weak smile, forcing a laugh.

“I heard one of his friends call him alpha.”

Selene purses her lips, bobbing her head to the side. It was the only thing she can think of from those words.

Again, this cause aunt Penelope to gape for a moment, but was quick to keep her composure, looking away for a bit.

There was this awkward silence that took over them, yet Selene remained waiting, seeing how her aunt kept muttering something to herself.

After a few moments, aunt Penelope finally puts on that warm smile, though her lips twitch while she tried to laugh it off.

“As far as I know, it’s a sort of nickname.”

She says.

Selene nodded again, agreeing with the idea with a playful grin.

The loud gong on the clock got both of them to turn heads, listening to the reverberating sound coming from the receiving area.

She nearly jumps out of her chair, realizing what that meant.

With a quick gulp of her drink, she finishes her meal and places all the plates and cups in one go, rushing to put it on the sink.

“I’m late. I’ll see you later, aunty.”

She waves goodbye.

Aunt Penelope remained in her seat, her smile turning brighter while watching her niece scurry for the door.

“Stay safe, okay.”

She calls out before the girl was out of the room.

“I will!”

Selene did not look back, her thoughts occupied by her need to run to get to work. It was only her second day, and she did not want to leave a poor impression on her employer.

Even if it hadn’t been that long, she had become at home there. It being the first place welcoming her with no qualms or request.

Mind racing, she hardly took notice of the indifferent glares being thrown at him by several of the locals when she reach the streets.

Her efforts prevailed, arriving at her workplace in the nick of time. She smiled, huffing, as she entered the diner with a sunshiny glee.

“Good morning, boss.”

She greeted the first person she saw with such energy and vigor, her radiance seem to scatter all over the place.

That put a simple smile on the elder owner’s face, sighing upon seeing her there.

“I didn’t think you’d still show up.”

Ben scratched her head in both astonishment and confusion. Yet relieved, the young woman came back after what had happened.

“Don’t worry, sir, I’ve dealt with worse.”

Selene let her chest out, hitting it to prove her resolved.

It was true she’d faced a more severe situation than yesterday’s confrontation. So such a thing did not bother or scare her the least.

That got a nod of approval from the old man.

“That’s good. But take Loraine’s place on the counter for now, better safe than sorry.”

He gestured to the area where another female employee was busy wiping the station clean.

“Not to worry, sir. I won’t make the same mistake as last time.”

Selene gave a playful salute, breathing a sigh of relief upon seeing the man chuckle.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s not your fault. Those boys are notorious troublemakers around here.”

Mister Ben wave a hand to dismiss the thought. As he was quite familiar with the said group.

“Thank you, boss.”

Selene ended up bowing her head to thank her employer, appreciating that she did not get the blame for what happened.

“You go on ahead.”

The elder gestured her to move. A wide and warm smile now radiated from him.

With that, Selene’s worries disappeared. Happy as she made her way to the long table.

A young woman with wavy brown hair and tired-looking eyes mending it was quick to stop to look at her. Her expression turning lively when she saw her go behind the counter.

“Hi there. You must be the new girl, I’m Loraine, it’s so nice to finally meet you!”

The female rush to her, clapping her hands while doing a few bit of hops, as she held on to her giggle.

“Selene, the pleasure is all mine.”

She could not help her own chortle, seeing how the girl’s long eyelids fluttered at her.

With her thin frame and pale skin, wearing their checkered short skirt uniform, paired with the white apron. The girl reminded her of those poster models in the late seventies she loved.

“Thank goodness they finally found another helper. I’ve been alone here for ages, and it’s so hard being the only person handling all the customers.”

Lorraine brush the top of her forehead with a sigh, rolling her eyes with a playful smile as she talked.

“Yeah, I didn’t know this place had so many people.”

She admits.

Even with the town being in the middle of nowhere. The number of patrons on that going in and out of the establishment was astonishing.

One would think it surrounded by lush forest, mountains, and large rivers wouldn’t have that size of a population.

“Well, silent ridge is quite a big place. Of course, you won’t see most of the folks around here, since they live far from the town, staying in their vast villas.”

Loraine gave her an understanding gaze, nodding as she explained.

“Wow, is this one of those hidden vacation places?”

Selene’s eyes grew wide. It seems her entire notion was wrong.

And here she thought the place was some kind of isolated town, a sanctuary for lost souls like her, and people who wanted to be away from society.

“You really know nothing about this place, do you?”

That got a laugh from Loraine, shaking her head in disbelief and amusement.

“I’m sorry. I don’t watch television and books were the only source of entertainment for me.”

Selene felt her cheeks turn red.

In her mind, she blamed her lack of knowledge about famous places. Of course, there was no helping it, considering she never had the chance to gain it in the first place.

“I like you.”

Loraine giggled, giving her a soft pat on the shoulders.

Their chat ended when they notice their boss waving at them.

“Loraine, customers!”

Ben called out when he saw them gawking in confusion.

“On it!”

With a quick swipe of her hand, Loraine grabs hold of her pen and pad that was underneath the counter table.

“Talk to you later.”

She whispered on to Selene’s ear when she passed by, letting out another giggle while rushing out of there.

That got Selene doing the same, unable to hide her laughter. For the first time in her life, after her parents died, she could say her happiness now was genuine.

“Hey, Selene.”

A deep and familiar voice greeted her, waking her from her moment of reminiscing.

Without a second thought, she puts on her most welcoming and joyful smile before facing the person.

“Hey Lucas, can I get you anything?”

She gestures to the large printed menu board behind her.

The young man wave a hand at her to dismiss her, cause she was already taking out a few plates at the ready.

“No, I just came here to pay up since Loraine’s busy.”

The guy gestured at the table they were sitting at.

Like before, Lucas had that same warmth in her gaze, giving out that sense of security.

Already knowledgeable about how the system works there, Selene immediately checked on their bill.

“That will be a hundred.”

She states after punching all their orders in the cashier.

“So, is everything good?”

He asks again, with a half smile and one raise brow. All the while pulling out his wallet.

“Yes, and I don’t think that person was going to hurt me. I think I just caught him by surprise.”

Unconsciously, Selene said her mind out loud, because of how relaxed she was right now around the man. She was quick to put her hand on her mouth, eyes widening from shock at why she admitted that.

“You sure about that?”

Lucas chuckled because of the reaction. But there the frown on his forehead still showed, intrigued by her idea.

For a moment, Selene became silent from the confusion.

“I have this hunch.”

She says, shrugging her shoulder to dismiss the conversation. But in reality, she couldn’t tell the young man about her third sense.

“Well, don’t go putting your trust on some whim. That can put you in danger, you know.”

Lucas’ face turned serious as he gave he slid the money onto the table.

A glint of warning appeared in his eyes, but for the first time, that was all Selene could gaze upon, nothing else.

This cause here to stare blankly at him for sometime, unfamiliar with the emptiness there, as somehow her ability had suddenly turned off.

She shook her head when she saw how the young man’s brow furrowed, needing to wake herself from the daze.

“I’m sorry. I’ll remember that.”

She gave an immediate nod to avoid looking stupid.

“I’ll see you around then.”

Lucas bids farewell, hearing his friends calling out to him. The group of youngster were already at the door, all of them throwing signals to the man to hurry.

Selene waves her goodbye, watching the fellow join the lot of young men who continued fooling with one another.

She heaved a sigh, pursing her lips from the solace the entire place was giving her. Not to mention, her powers seemed to have become weakened upon her arrival.

Though unsure, she remained thankful.

She was all smile as she took the payment on the countertop to put it on the register. But the minute she touched the piece of paper, a jolt came crashing into her head.

A loud scream, her aunt Penelope crying while on her knees, covered in blood as she embraced what looked like a large furred beast in her arms. And then the image of a young Lucas smiling flashed before her.

She froze, swallowing hard to calm her breathing, it seems her peace didn’t last that long, seeing that odd vision.