Sorry for the late update! I've been vigorously working on Solstice lately, especially because I'm finally reaching the climax of the story, so I haven't had much time to work on this. I'll try to get the next chapter out sooner, but in the meantime, you guys are welcome to check out Solstice.

The sky was just shifting into the pale orange of dawn when I left the alley. Though I knew that Jasper wouldn't be meeting me for hours, the excitement of finally seeing him was too great and I decided to leave early.

Sunshine Diner had a faded yellow sign on the front, though the rest of the restaurant seemed to be in good condition. Red and yellow accents decorated the space and two or three people sat inside. One waitress was taking a man with a leather jacket's order, and another was bringing out a coffee for a woman.

Once she set down the drink, she approached me with a smile. "Mornin', how are you?" She had a thick Southern accent.

"I'm well, thank you." I realized I haven't spoken in weeks, so the sound of my chiming voice startled me.

"Go ahead and take any seat. We aren't very crowded this early. Can I get a cup of coffee for you?"

"Yes, thank you."

She nodded and walked back into the kitchen, and I decided to take a seat at a black leather stool at the bar area. The woman with the coffee was three seats down and the scent of her blood wafted into my nose.

I stiffened my muscles and distracted myself from the enticing smell with the images of Jasper in my visions. Even with my previous hunting rampage, the customers made my throat ache.

A bell rang and I turned my head to the door. Two men walked in, smoking cigarettes and talking loudly. They both stared at me.

"Why hello there, pretty thing." One of them said.

I grimaced. "Hello."

"Aw, why don't you smile? I bet you look so pretty when you do." The other one added.

The waitress stepped behind the bar and gave me my steaming coffee with a nervous expression on her face.

"Wow, you two are sight for sore eyes, I'll tell you that!" They both laughed.

An image flashed into my mind - the two of them forcing the waitress and I outside, cornering us.

She cleared her throat. "What would you two like?"

The one who called me a pretty thing stepped forward and said, "Well, both of you." He erupted in laughter and his friend joined him.

The man with the leather jacket from across the diner stood up. "Hey, is there a problem here?"

"No, no, not at all." One of the men said with an evil grin on his face. The man in the jacket sat down, obviously intimidated.

My mind reeled. I could have easily killed them, of course. But I couldn't just reveal myself. And I didn't think I could bear having another person's blood on my hands.

"Please leave." The waitress said with a shaky voice.

"I don't think we will."

"Oh, you don't think so?" My temper lost control momentarily and I leapt up from my seat and grabbed the man's arm. He tried to pull his hand away, but his strength was no match for mine.

"What the hell?" He murmured and looked at his friend, who had the same incredulous look on his face. I would be lying if I said that I wasn't satisfied by it. "Ok, geez. Sorry."

I reluctantly let go.

"What a bitch…" The other man whispered to him as they both left.

"Woah. What was that?" The waitress was shocked.

"I don't know. Good arm strength, I suppose." I hid my smug smile with confusion and sipped my coffee in triumph.

So, what do you guys think of this little diner scene? I kind of threw it in here last minute, but I thought it showed off Alice's strength and bravery well and added to the affect that her perspective adds to the story. Leave a review to tell me what you thought of it!