(Back to Chloe's)
The next day, Chloe realized when she awoke, was Saturday; which meant even more work. She rolled out off the couch to land roughly on the side of Magdalena's coffee table. Chloe rubbed her side and slipped into her uniform. Every minute of her days at the diner, she thought she would explode from the anti-climactic tension.
After the big escape scene, it's supposed to be the big ending, Chloe thought bitterly as she helped Devin flip chairs. The protagonist isn't supposed to get stuck bussing tables in a diner.
"You ok?" Devin asked her. Chloe looked up to see him being studiously nonchalant.
"Fine."
Devin didn't say anything more, as Magdalena had just come bustling in. Chloe noticed she'd rather help the chefs in the kitchen in the morning, rather than clean.
"'Morning," She greeted them. Magdalena power-walked over to the door and flipped the "CLOSED" sign over with a flourish. "Opening time already?"
Almost immediately, the multitudes came pouring in through the door, a dinging announcing each one. Soon, there was a line forming outside. Chloe rushed from table to table as each group left and came. The day was exhausting, but she was glad to put another day behind her.
As the last customer left, Magdalena grabbed her purse and apologized to Chloe,
"I'm sorry to leave on your second day with us, but I've got to go to the store."
Even if Chloe had wanted her to stay, she couldn't have said much to stop her. Chloe watched Magdalena walk away down the street. She felt tears prick her eyes, but not for the loss of Magdalena.
How long do I have to live like this?
"Chloe?" Devin asked nervously.
"What?" Chloe snapped unnecessarily as she turned.
"Can you sit down? I have to ask you something while I have the chance, and I'm not sure you'll like it."
Oh, no! He's going to tell me he likes me. I can't let this happen!
"Devin, please! I'm not interested in a relationship right now."
Not exactly the truth….
"A what?!? No! I have a girlfriend!" Devin and Chloe both blushed. He motioned at the chair in front of her, and she took it without another word. Devin sat on the table a couple rows over, still looking uncomfortable.
"Like I said," He began. "I'm not sure if you'll appreciate what I'm about to say, but I've got to say it: Are you Chloe Saunders?"
Chloe's heart pounded in her chest. Her silence was enough of an answer for him.
"I'm not going to say anything, I mean, I don't know why you left your dad, but…"
"It wasn't like that," Chloe whispered.
"I'm sorry."
"No. Don't be. But can you promise me not to tell anyone? Not even Magdalena?"
Devin snorted. "Not even? You mean especially not? Like I said, I'm not telling, but I'll help any way I can."
They both sat in silence. Chloe wanted to say, Thanks, but no, but instead she knew he could help. Chloe didn't want to take advantage of him, but what if he could get word out to Derek somehow?
"Actually…" She began against her will.
"Yeah?"
How could he help her without knowing? How could he get word to Derek without alerting the Edison Group, too?
Impossible. But was it?
An ad, or poster, or message. But any one of those things would show her face…or maybe not.
"Chloe?"
"Let me go get something real quick," Chloe said absently. She flew upstairs and grabbed her Jeans. Inside the front pocket was the message Simon had drawn for her. In the upper corner, there was a picture of a ghost.