Chapter 30 [Cherry Plain—Hanson's Diner]
Peter chugged gulps of coffee. Despite Dark Roast's flavor, Distraction kept himself from tasting the hot drink. Appetite didn't stir at all. Fear kept his eyes riveted on the woods outside the window….
…as if looking for a certain antagonist….
They say the creep won't attack during the day. Yet how can we explain what happened at the high school? He stabbed at the ham omelet on his plate. I can't give those creeps another shot at Gwendy. How could Dubois and the others just sit them so calmly last night?
"Mr. P?" Gwen put a forkful of pancake into her mouth. Adjustment to Peter's no longer secret lifestyle had its difficulties. She'd seen him hurt. Worse their stalkers took aim at her too in Vengeance's name. She watched potential enemies just avoided such as Dr. Connors' inner Lizard and Mr. Osborn's Green Goblin. How does he deal with this? How has he kept this from Aunt May? Did Dad suspect? She saw Lex walk through the front door. I need to know. Peter can't answer me right now. "Peter, I'll be right back." She got up. Her mind doggie paddled through Threat's rapids and rushing water around herself. "Lex? I'm sorry to disturb you."
Lex jumped. As with Peter, he'd thought about the hovering threat from the night before. His mind returned to the cancelled concert months earlier. Support and Encouragement wanted to give Sam the best chance at a scholarship and career. Unfair as it was though, Survival mandated Caution yet again. "Gwen? Good morning!" He saw Peter sitting quietly across the area. "Everything okay?"
"Sorry but can I sit down?" She glanced back at Peter.
"Of course. You two didn't have a fight or anything. Did you?" Lex rubbed his forehead. "Gwen, what happened last night wasn't his fault. In fact, it's a good thing he was alert to it."
"I know that. Neither of us could sleep." She slid into the booth. "Thanks. I know you've got a ton of stuff going on."
"I'm never too busy for my friends. What's going on?" Concern raised Lex's eyebrow. "The fireworks went great. Dave and Angie put on an excellent dinner I thought. What's wrong?"
She sniffed. "We were there to watch a show not be stalked. Peter's spooked. I can't say I blame him." Worry shifted her eyes back toward her husband. "He's not even doing the snappy patter thing right now."
Lex nodded. "Gwen, Peter's dealing with massive PTSD issues. Has he talked to you about his trip to Salem?" He signaled to the waitress. "Two coffees please. Also I'll take the Parkers' check as well."
"Okie dokie, Sir. A coffee coming up. You want your breakfast over here, Ma 'am?" The heavy set salt and pepper haired woman looked at Gwen over the tops of her glasses.
Gwen raised an eyebrow. Discomfort stiffened her. "I'm heading back to check on my husband. Thank you."
The waitress nodded and headed off to get the coffees.
"He's told me a little bit about it." Gwen made a face. "I can't imagine seeing those people hanging."
"Hate to say it but I can." Lex tapped his fingers on the counter. "The Rider and its coven have quite a tab of grisly scenes over the years. And to that creep, it's a sick game. That's part of what last night was about. We enjoyed the fireworks. We had our get together. We watched. We were ready. I'll admit that I was hoping you both would've stayed at the farm last night. I wanted you both to talk with the Cranes. They've seen a great deal too."
"So he really is that Revolution guy? That is so weird!" Gwen looked around to make sure nobody heard her.
"Magic and joys of suspended animation from what Katrina says." Lex felt his phone buzz. "Just a sec." He glanced down at it. "Angie?" He raised a finger while answering it.
I hope nothing else freaky is going on! Gwen looked back at Peter. I think he's had enough personally.
"Hi, Alex. Just wanted you to know, Lana's out riding the back forty with Winter. They're looking great out there!" Angie announced. "Maybe we can spring our surprise later?"
Lex's face brightened. "I'll take any good news right now, Angie. You bet we can. This is going to work out for everyone. Can I get back to you? Peter, Gwen and I are in the middle of a conversation right now."
Angie heard Seriousness loud and clearly in his voice. "Sure. Come by when everything's good. Remember Ichabod's willing to talk to them."
"I just told Gwen that. I think you guys may make a road trip to Sleepy Hollow or the City. They need an experienced person for advice." Lex gave Gwen the thumbs up. "Tell everyone we'll be by this morning. Thanks, Angie."
"Of course. Please remind them we're here for them, Alex." Angie signed off.
"Is everything all right at the farm?" Dread bleached Gwen's face. She winced and shook her head.
"Hmm? Everything's great. In fact, we have some good news. I'm about to spring a surprise on Lana. The Kents are helping. We can go into that later. Right now your situation's got my complete attention. I think Peter needs someone to talk to. Dave, Angie and Ichabod are the three who know the Creep Squad the best. You might talk with Jenny Dubois as well. The important thing is that you aren't alone. Neither's Peter." Lex motioned toward the booth. "Come on. Let's join him over there." He caught the waitress' eye. "Sorry we're rejoining him over there."
"That's fine, Sir. I wish I could do something. Sorry. Don't want to pry." The waitress set their coffees on the Parkers' table.
"You're great just by caring. Thanks!" Gwen grinned. She sat down next to Peter. "Hey, Mr. P. You all right? Lex wanted to join us."
"Okay." Peter managed to stir from his reverie. "Hi, Lex. Sorry. Long night."
"You don't have to apologize to me, Peter. I grew up with my father's personal horror show. He found that land for Dave's Dad in Rowenshire. The games get old fast. Watch a few people die from that blue fire cancer and you'll get the picture. You two probably think we're just brushing that off? We aren't. We just refuse to let those creeps ruin our lives. We were ready last night." Lex shook his head. "My Mom would've wanted it that way. Lichtenfeld killed her with the blue fire. Even as she fought the cancer, Mom still kept brightening everyone's world. The coven couldn't beat her. They couldn't beat Janet Dubois or Lorenzo Alvaro either. Those were some strong people. Still they were smart too."
"I wish I understood that." She sipped on her coffee and ate from the remains of her pancakes.
"Look at your Dad, Gwen. He was a hero to the end from what you've told me and I've read. He gave his life for a little boy." Lex smiled at them. "There's a lesson in it though. Be mindful of your surroundings. Peter, do me a favor?"
"Hmm? What's that, Lex?" Peter ate a spoonful of lukewarm oatmeal.
"Dave had the stuff in his lab for your…" Lex motioned toward his own wrists. "If it's not offered, next time please ask him for it. Preparation."
Peter nodded. "I'll definitely do that. Thanks, Lex. I would've felt better with that stuff. I still don't like the Rider being so close. Sorry but it almost seems like a game to Dave as well."
Lex exhaled a sharp breath. "Don't put it like that to him. You'll get the Big Kid out faster than even you can react, Peter. Trust me. Maybe ask Strange about that? Because of his failure, Lichtenfeld killed Mr. Alvaro right in front of Dave. He ran into the Rider the first time at your PTSD spot. Before that, he dealt with Lichtenfeld since he was four years old. There's a lot more. Dave is obsessed with keeping those things at bay. He just wants a life finally. Be careful, you Two. Know your surroundings. Live cautious but well." He stopped as the waitress set their coffees down. "You two want those warmed up?"
"We're fine, Lex. Thank you." Gwen took another chunk of pancake.
It was some meal….