"I guess it's going to have to hurt, I guess I'm going to have to cry, And let go of some things I've loved to get to the other side."
~ Carrie Underwood
She drove for what felt like days. It was amazing how well that burger she had bought had tied her over. And it was delicious. That cafe's food was truly something to glorify.
That cafe. The family, the girls...the demons...
Jane shook her head. There was no point in dwelling on the past, letting it slowly eat her from the inside out. That's not what she needed right now. She had to keep a level head. So she pushed all the hurt and regret deep down, somewhere locked away in her mind. A place where it wouldn't bother her.
She concentrated on the road and drove a few hours more, finally passing a sign that sounded promising: Chancellorville - 8 miles
"Chancellorville it is." Jane decided. She couldn't wait to finally sleep.
The day continued on without any incident, endless blue sky dotted with puffy white clouds that resembled cotton balls.
Cotton balls. Should probably grab some of those. And disinfectant, she figured, wincing at the thought of the gunshot wound in her leg. It had stopped bleeding, but only because of the rags she had hastily wrapped around it as a temporary bandage. It was almost healed, luckily. A gun could only do so much damage to her. All she had to do now was dig out that damn bullet.
A few hours more on the road and the sun had ceased its presence in the sky, leaving the faintly haunting aura of the moon and a beautiful rose and gold sunset illuminating the sky. It looked like fire, and it reminded Jane of her mother. She was beautiful and fiery, a spark of intelligence and humor ever present in her eyes. But along with intelligence and humor was wisdom, the kind of wisdom that her family needed, and now no longer had.
A flash of white and green in her headlights caught Jane's attention as she passed a road sign that read: Welcome to good ol' Chancellorville, PA.
Finally.
She slowed her Cadillac and crawled through the quiet little town, eyeing the old decrepit gazebo at the center of town. A couple of kids were hanging out on its steps, picking off the chipping paint. The lights of restaurants glowed through their high windows. A couple strolled along the sidewalk, laughing and smiling at each other.
The town was quaint, quiet, and inconspicuous, the perfect place to lay low for a couple of days.
Jane spotted a parking spot along the side of the street. She got out and hid her weapons bag under her jacket, stepping out into the open air, a slight breeze giving her relief from the warm evening.
She sighed deeply, taking in as much fresh air as she could. Jane smiled, feeling content for the first time in a very, very long while. She began walking down the sidewalk, her injury causing her stride to falter a bit, but nothing too hard to hide.
There was a bakery at the end of the sidewalk. It's arch-shaped windows softening the bright light that emanated through the artificially frosted glass. A customer walked out the front door, a small bell jingling as they exited. Jane could detect the scents of freshly-baked croissants and sugar cane.
There was no way she would pass this up. Jane dug her cold hands into her jean pockets and then her jacket, coming up with ten dollars in change. A smile grew on her lips as she started walking towards the entrance, her stomach now beginning to cry out in impatience.
The bell over the door jingled as she passed through, entering the bakery and allowing the hospitable warmth to surround her. The smells and quiet of the little shop were heavenly. Jane walked up to the counter, leaning on the glass like a small child would and observed all the deliciously appealing sweets. A miniature apple pie caught her eye, still steaming from the oven. It was about the size of a baseball, with a small dough apple baked on top to indicate its flavor.
"Hi there." The cashier said, leaning over the register and observing the strange actions of the customer before him.
Jane flinched, startled from the mouth-watering distraction, only to come face-to-face with yet another.
"Oh, um...hey." She hadn't flirted in a while, and it wasn't exactly something she had to do since she was practically imprisoned on the estate since her family found out she had developed her power. She may have gone out once or twice, but there was never a time to stop...working.
"Can I get you anything?" The handsome cashier asked her, his brown eyes shining in the soft light of the bakery. His hair shifted in front of his face as he leaned over to observe her, amusement tugging the corners of his lips. Jane stood upright, nodding and walking over to the counter to stand in front of him. He stood up, taking his position in front of the register and letting his smile light up his face. Jane could feel her heart beat a bit faster in her chest as she noticed the boy's light band of freckles over the bridge of his nose.
Sweet Jesus.
"I'd like to buy that small Apple pie there." Jane said, tapping the case with her finger.
"Alright, that will be," he sang as he typed something on the register keyboard, " $8.50."
"Here." Jane responded, handing him the numerous coins and bills that made up her ten dollars. She blushed at her disorganization.
"Are you just passing through? I don't think I've seen you around before." He looked back up from the cash tray and handed Jane her change.
"Yeah, I'm just...passing through." She replied, smiling more comfortably now. She watched as he bent down to unlock the pastry case and pull out the pie, setting it in a box and writing something on the lid. Then placing the box in a paper bag, he handed it to her. She licked her lips in response. She hadn't realized how hungry she was.
"I'm Max, by the way." He said, his smile bearing his white teeth as he held out his hand.
"Jane." She replied, taking it. They stood like that for a while, just watching each other, afraid to break apart in the moment.
Jane was the first to break the silence, "...Well I should be going," she said hesitantly, clearing her throat, "thank you..." She let go of his hand and walked to the door, opening it and making the bell jingle again. Before she left, she whispered just loud enough, "Max." He caught a glimpse of her smile as he watched her go.
Unlocking the Cadillac, Jane couldn't understand what had just happened, or what it meant. She thought back, remembering the entire scene. She slid into the front seat, placing the pie in the passenger side and fastening her seat belt.
He wrote something on the box... She remembered, biting her lip in curiosity as she opened the bag and inspected the box. In black sharpie, he had written a number, his name, and a "please come again soon :)"
She smiled at the gesture, a tear stinging her vision. A tear of happiness, happiness that maybe she had found proof there was still good in the world.
She picked up her phone and searched for some place to stay. There was only one inn in the area, and it was perfect for her price range.
The night was thick and dark as she made her way slowly down the entry driveway. Her headlights only pierced the black enough for her to see directly in front of her. She could barely make out the large oaks that lined the road. Eventually though, she pulled into the front lot of the old inn. Its features weren't very pronounced in the dark, besides the silhouettes of the arching roofs against the starry sky.
After turning off the ignition, she stepped out cautiously, pulling her flashlight from the bag in the back seat and resting a hand on her gun for reassurance. There was a flight of mossy steps that led to the front hall, their slippery surfaces almost causing Jane to fall on her face. Luckily, she regained her balance.
The front hall was dismal and dimly lit, but she could still see everything in the space. A fireplace, a desk, a manager with rows of keys behind him
"Hello." A grim voice said in acknowledgment. Jane strode up to the desk and payed for a room.
"Room 38. Up the stairs and down the hall." He said mechanically.
"Thank you." Jane responded politely. She trudged up the stairs, her back pack jostling with each step. She found her room near the entrance to the hall, and immediately made her way to the bed. Slinging her back pack on the floor, Jane flung herself on the mattress, sighing as she sunk into the soft sheets. She settled in the covers, letting herself drift from consciousness.
Her bliss was immediately interrupted by her rumbling stomach. Her eyes popped open, and she groaned as she slowly got up and walked over to the door. As she reached for the knob, she heard voices outside. She placed her ear to the door and listened, hearing a door open down the hall and two deep voices. She slowly cracked open the door, sitting in the dark as she focused on their words, observing them.
"...you get to drive the entire time next time." The first voice, a tall, ruggedly handsome man with dark blond hair and green eyes said to his partner.
"I guess I am a little hungry." The other responded, a taller man (who also was very handsome, in Jane's opinion) with long dark auburn hair.
"Thats the spirit Sammy," the first man said, "I bet at least one joint in this place serves pie!"
Sammy? Jane thought. She watched as the the man with the green eyes locked their room door and tugged on his jacket. As he did so, she caught a glimpse of some metallic object concealed in his pocket.
Shit, oh god please no. Have they really found me already?
"Crap." She cursed under her breath. At the same moment, her eyes locked with the taller one, her breath hitching. She immediately closed the door, the suddenness of the action causing the door to creak loudly. The sound was painful to her ears.
She couldn't leave the room to get her delicious pie now. She had to wait until they were gone. And what if she was wrong? Maybe they really were just tourists. But that thing under the man's jacket...
Jane immediately saw flashes of the scene at the cafe. Her chest hurt and she felt dizzy. She needed a distraction. Emptying her backpack and putting everything away seemed to do the trick. She looked down at her legs, the blood stains had become a sort of pattern of blotches around her mid thighs and knees.
There was one more thing she had to do. Pulling the knife she had strapped to her ankle, she made her way to the bathroom.
*Clink*
Jane dropped the dislodged bullet into a plastic glass and laid down on her bed once again. The pain had ceased to exist and she enjoyed being able to walk without a care again. Now the wound could close up.
Her stomach rumbled with need. She sat up and clutched it, remembering that her mini pie was still in her car.
Cautiously, she stepped into the hallway with her flashlight in hand and made her way downstairs. It was 11:45 pm.
The parking lot was even darker than before, but at least her flashlight was military grade. The pie was right where she left it. Her stomach began voicing its complaints as she grabbed the bag.
Yeah yeah I know I'm hungry! Now shut up, she thought irritatedly to herself.
She locked the Cadillac up again, and walked back to the inn, a black 1967 Chevy Impala catching her eye as she went. Jane smiled at it fondly, musing about its history. The car was in pristine condition, and she was polished, her hood clearly reflecting the shine of her flashlight.
Slowly, Jane made her way up the mossy stairs and back into the lobby, turning to the stairwell and reaching the top with ease. She really couldn't wait to eat her pie.
As she rounded the corner at the top of the stairs, she stopped, her eyes widening in surprise and shock. She was unable to suppress a gasp as the two men from earlier strode out of her room, tucking their guns in their waistbands.
"What...my room?!"
When they heard her, they stopped abruptly, and time seemed to slow as all three hunters stood in the hallway, staring at each other startled.
I knew there was something off about them. How many people must you send you coward, Jane thought, silently cursing her brother. Instantly, all the sadness and guilt she had been suppressing bubbled up inside her, morphing into an adrenaline-pumping rage.
And then she took out her knife and charged.
