Chapter 7
But those with an evil heart seem to have a talent
for destroying anything beautiful which is about to bloom.
~Cynthia Rylant~
Waking up she takes a minute to just lay there staring at the yellowish ceiling. Turning around to face her nightstand she looks at the one thing she has left of her family, their family picture. A bit crumpled, imperfect… like they had been.
Getting up she goes to the bathroom and takes a long, hot shower ignoring the bumps of her scarred body and refusing to look in the mirror. Getting out she quickly gets dressed in the new clothes she got yesterday after her stint at the library. Going downstairs she grabs some leftovers and finishes them off, she should really do some grocery shopping today.
Strapping some boots on she makes her way outside, heading into town. She should've gotten a car, could've too with the huge pay out of the bearer bonds she'd borrowed, but she hadn't driven a car in so long it would take some practice before she could comfortably drive it on the open road. So for now she'd stick to walking and or running.
Jogging along the path she already felt so much better, whether it's the food, rest or just being here where her family is still alive, she feels more alive than she has in years. The sounds of the woods, the vibrations in the road, the sound of people living their day to day, all the sounds she used to take for granted and even those she despised are now like music to her ears.
Reaching town she heads straight for Sheila's diner. A bell chimes overhead as she walks through the door, walking further into the establishment she takes a seat in one of their red booths. The diner is mostly empty, a few deputy's sipping coffee at the bar, an old guy reading the newspaper and an old couple conversing. The owner, Sheila rocks up to her as she had a hundred times before. Or well in her own time anyways, guess it's Sheila's second first time serving her.
''Good morning dear, what can I get for you?'' Sheila asks her with a warm smile as if she truly knew her still.
Looking at the woman before her, Malia smiles back observing her brown hair noting the distinct lack of gray streaks and face lacking some wrinkles that she had become accustomed to.
''Honey? You need a minute to decide?''
Shaking her head she answers, ''4 coffees, 1 black, 2 with milk and 1 with a mountain of sugar. Oh and four serving of pancakes, please.''
Smiling Sheila cocks her eyebrow, ''Should I wait until your companions join you or is that all for you hon?'' she asks teasingly.
Panic clammers into Malia as her heart starts to pound erratically in her chest. ''Uhm…'' Breathing becoming louder.
''Dear, are you alright? I was just joking.'' Sheila tries to reassure the stiff young woman.
Laughing nervously, ''Uhm yeah, I mean kinda. It's hard to explain really. I'd like to order it all if you don't mind, no need to wait.'' Malia finishes, swiping a lock of her hair behind her ear.
''Sure thing. Four coffees, one black, two milk and one with a heap of sugar. Four servings of pancakes, coming right up.'' Sheila says smiling kindly, though her eyes linger a bit on Malia's exposed neck where a thin line spans across the right side of her throat.
Heaving a heavy sigh Malia rubs her eyes, dispelling the stress as best she can. Before she knows it her table is filled with plates and cups. She pours syrup on only three of the four pancake stacks and proceeds to sip her milky coffee, savoring the warmth it brings. If she closes her eyes she can almost imagine Scott, Stiles and Lydia sitting here with her like they'd done so many mornings.
The doorbell chimes signaling the arrival of a new customer. Two kids and their mother enter.
''Vernon, you keep an eye on Alicia alright?'' The mother says already knowing the answer. Stepping behind the bar the woman straps on an apron.
Sheila welcomes the woman warmly, ''Good morning sweetheart, how'd your exam go?''
''Good, I think. I get the results next week and then it's time to match with a residency program. Hopefully in Beacon Hills.'' The young woman smiles excitedly.
''How wonderful! Sad to be losing you so soon.''
Harper laughs at Sheila's antics, ''Now, now Sheila I'm not gone yet. And I have been working here of and on for years now, since high school in fact.''
The older woman waves her hand, ''Dante would be so proud of you right now,'' throwing a glance over the children's booth, ''of all of you. For living your lives to their fullest, like he would've wanted.''
''Come now Sheila, don't make me cry in the middle of my shift.'' Harper sniffles a bit, tracing her late husband's dog tags. Getting back to work she starts cleaning the counter a bit.
...
''Hi, how come you are eating alone but have lots of food?'' A small but bold voice asks from behind her.
''Alicia, don't you're not supposed to talk to strangers.'' Another young voice hisses.
Turning around she is face by a boy and a girl, clearly related. ''You should listen to your brother Alicia, have you never heard of stranger danger?''
''Just askin a question…'' The little girl says a bit perturbed.
''Ya, asking a stranger.'' The little boy responds scoldingly.
Taking pity on the young ones she answers, hell maybe it would be good to talk about them even if it's just to some random kids. ''It's for my friends and my husband, we used to eat breakfast together at a little diner just like this one all the time.''
Whispering softly as the boy sensed the sadness in her voice, ''So why didn't they come this time?''
Smiling sadly she answers, ''They can't join me anymore.'' She'd come to like children, it was a surprise to everyone but after Alexander was born something protective just came over her. That protectiveness never left.
''Are they in heaven too?'' the little girl asks. ''Our dad can't join us anymore either cuz he went to heaven.''
Willing away the tears she responds, ''Yeah, I suppose they are.''
Getting up the little girl followed by the little boy come to sit across from her in her booth. The girl sticks her small hand out towards Malia, ''My name's Alicia, I'm almost 6 and this is my doofus brother Vernon, he's 7.''
''Nice to meet you both, my name is Malia. Malia Stitch.'' She lies smoothly, getting accustomed to the fake last name she gave herself. It's not like she could claim being a McCall, Tate or Hale without attracting a lot of unwanted attention in the small town of Beacon Hills.
''Funny name'' the boy called Vernon laughs softly.
They get interrupted as their mother, Harper hurries to their table. ''I'm so sorry ma'am, were my children bothering you?'' Worry written all over her face.
''Not at all, Malia. You see my friends couldn't make it today and it'd be a waste if these delicious pancakes had to be thrown out, so I was hoping your kids could help me with that with your permission of course.'' Malia replies smoothly, having overheard her and Sheila's conversation.
''Oh sorry, where are my manners!'' Sticking out her hand in greeting until Malia shakes it, ''Harper Boyd''
Boyd? Looking at the small boy at the table she can't imagine the gentle giant described by her pack.
Seeing Harpers hesitation to let her kids eat breakfast with a complete stranger she quickly responds, ''Yeah I was just leaving anyways, Nice to meet you though Harper.''
''You too, Malia. Thanks for the pancakes.''
Just as she is about to leave the diner she hears one sentence that makes the gears in her head turn.
''Eat up quick guys then I'll drop you guys at the skating rink. Keep an eye on each other as promised guys, I'll come pick you up in an hour and a half.''
''He was awesome, the only way to describe him would be a gentle giant. Though he'd fight for what was right. He became a little rougher around the edges when Erica died but overall still the same as before.'' Scott whispered. ''I didn't know him that well, wish I had gotten to know him more before he…'' his voice trailed off.
''How'd his family handle it? Did they know about his, our world?'' She asked him, raking her hand through his hair.
''He was somewhat in the same boat as me. Only his mom around, dad died when he was young. He had a sister but she disappeared when he was young. Presumed dead after she was taken from the ice rink downtown, he was supposed to be watching her. He was a child himself but he still blamed himself for it.''
Change of plans. She had a slight detour to make on her way to the department store.
...
Why did it have to be an ice rink of all places? She runs cold under normal conditions, this is the last place she'd voluntarily go. It was for a good cause though she thought as she observed Alicia and Boyd play around on the ice along with a surprising number of other kids and adults. Must be a snow day or something considering it being a normal Thursday if you asked her.
Locking in on Alicia's scent and voice, she observed the other people around the rink carefully until her eyes landed on a white man with brown hair. Approximately 35 years old, wearing regular clothes, nothing out of the ordinary. Except the fact that he keeps following Alicia with his eyes and only Alicia, no other children. None have approached him nor has he paid any attention to the other children.
She can't afford to be wrong, so she waits. She waits until Boyd steps away, waits until the man approaches Alicia. She listens as he coaxes her into following him, talking about her father like they were old buddies.
Then she approaches them right before they leave the ice rink. Yelling at the top of her voice, ''Alicia dear! Come on, you need to drink something sweetie.'' Looking straight at Alicia and the perv. Alicia skates over to her all smiles, unaware of the danger she was in.
''Malia! What are you doing here?''
Looking at Alicia she smiles, ''You know, enjoying the coolness. Go to your brother and have a drink kid. I am afraid I have to leave, have some work to do.'' She says winking at the kid.
As Alicia skates towards Boyd she yells something after her, ''Remember Alicia, stranger danger!''
The creep that spoke to Alicia already vanished into thin air, smart. Too bad for him she already got his scent.
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