Chapter 5
He turned the key and the truck shut off. He clicked a button in the center console and the garage door quickly closed. He leaned against the steering wheel and began to think, what have I done? Sure they had it coming but at what price? “Ever since he began his new journey he struggled with keeping a low profile.”Who am I,” he thought “and how did I get here and more importantly what am I exactly?” He had a vague idea what he was and he knew what he was capable of doing. “Was Jess ok? Why do pretty girls in distress always get to me I’m no hero, this ain’t a fucking movie? “Can anyone find me here? I’m sure this location is quite safe and I’ve never been tailed. That blonde cop had been busy with Jess so she should be fine and the cops should be leaving me alone for the time being. Why can’t I just mind my own business? Why do people constantly push my fucking button? They fucking deserved it though, I was outnumbered but not out done, never once have I been out done.” Just then his phone rang. “Yes Padre, I’m still here, the location you found is good. What’s that? Really? Great! See you in a few days my friend” Then he hung up his phone and got out of the truck. “Padre will help me sort this out. He seems to have a knack for straightening me out.”
He awoke drenched in sweat. “Basically the same dream again,” he thought. “What does it mean?” It sure is annoying but despite this I feel pretty good. Maybe some fresh air will help clear my head I need to get a few things anyways.” He quickly got dressed and opened the door to the outside world where he was the stranger. The gentle breeze hit his face and it felt wonderful. He smiled slightly as he began his walk into town. The old factory had been abandoned for decades. It was a perfect location for the operation. It was just outside of town and the road towards it was seldom traveled, at least that’s what Padre told him and it appears he was right. He was almost always right, except for that one time he was mistaken. Stone chuckled to himself as he remembered Padre’s one mistake and his words. It had taken him little time and effort to make the place work for him. He continued down the road, thinking and kicking at stones when he wasn’t thinking.
The door to the diner swung open and all eyes turned. Stone eyed the scene and then saw a vacated table. It wasn’t cleaned off yet but the diner had just finished with a breakfast rush and he only saw one waitress. Everyone’s eyes still locked on him, he took a seat. He heard people whispering but he couldn’t quite make out all the words. He made out enough to know that just about everyone was talking about him. Having only been around for a few weeks and with all the moving from small town to small town he was used to the treatment. One table of six older gentlemen were talking about the incident at the bar last night. They were not whispering at all though. The other 15 people in the place were talking about him, except for the waitress; she was busy busing tables and pouring coffee. After about ten minutes she made her way to his table and quickly apologized for the wait. “The new girl didn’t come in this morning,” she said as she handed Stone a menu and poured him a cup of coffee. “Sorry but I don’t drink coffee. I will take a cranberry juice and keep them coming, “Stone replied as he winked and grinned at the waitress.”I’ll be back in a few minutes I hope,” she said as she smiled and winked back at Stone. “Thanks Amanda,” Stone replied as he read her name tag on her black shirt. Amanda returned a few minutes later quickly wiped the table and put down the tall glass of juice that Stone had ordered. “You clean up quick,” Stone said. He paused a bit waiting for a response. She sat down on the chair across from him. “Hope you don’t mind if I sit here,” she said. “Not at all,” was Stone’s response, “you probably earned a little rest. I’ll have the four way breakfast after you drink this coffee you poured for me” He slid the cup towards he and she took a sip. “So you new in town?” I’m just passing through, “replied Stone.”Did you hear about what happened at the bar last night? Story is some drifter waltzed right in there and beat George, Leonard, Hank and Ralph up pretty bad. They are in the hospital. Won’t get out for a week or five days. Hey didn’t you say you were new in town?” There was a slight pause as Stone sipped his juice. “I’m just bugging you, I have to bug the newbies. You are too small to handle George anyways let alone all four of them. How do you want your bacon?” “Soft,”" replied Stone. “Your eggs, “asked Amanda.”Sunnyside and rye toast please.” Coming right up sir, just don’t beat up all the old fellows in here,” she chuckled as she took her last sip of coffee and walked away.
“You new in town here?” Stone heard and he looked up to see an old man standing over him. “People around here call me Gus, I’m the oldest man here in Williamston,” Gus said. Stone motioned for Gus to sit and he slowly slinked down across the booth from him. “Mike is what some people call me,” Stone says as Gus sits in. “I helped Britain fend off the Invasions back in those days but I ain’t never seen anything like what you did last night…. Mike,” whispered Gus. “Don’t worry I won’t tell a soul, George and the boys had it coming.” Thank you Gus,” replied Stone. I don’t like talking much about my past though. I hope you understand Gus.” “I sure do. The war and fighting across our skies has affected everyone. I think it is getting worse not better too,” Gus whispered. “What brings you to Williamston though Mike?” “I’m not sure, just looking I guess,” replied Stone. “I hope she’s worth the trouble,” Gus answered after a long pause and a few sips of his coffee. Stone just smiled. “George is my only son and I feel so terrible for how he turned out. He has no dreams, no aspirations, nothing. Sure we all cause trouble when we are growing and learning to deal with life but that boy just continues to cause trouble.” “Sorry to hear that,” Stone replies. “Martha and myself couldn’t control that boy and we tried, lord did we try. We tried nurturing him; we respected him and his ways. Didn’t work. We disciplined him. Lord did we discipline him. That didn’t work. We loved him nonetheless. We even prayed but I guess the Lord had more important things to deal with with. He eventually was taken out of our hands. He moved out and never moved back. He didn’t move far mind you but his ways just got worse. We ignored him, but he always knew he could come back. Leopards don’t change their spots, ever. That man only cares about one person. Always has, always will.” Stone just looked at Gus as his story continued. “Then a miracle happened, at least that’s what Martha and I called it. We were blessed with a granddaughter and she was beautiful. Jessica was her name. I’m surprised at how well she turned out considering the man that attempted to raise her was. Well I’ve told you and no a daughter didn’t change anything about him. Jessica is really raised by the people of Williamston. She is our daughter not his. Despite the fact that she resides with him. She can’t leave either, there is some force keeping her here I guess. We all want her to leave and get a better life.” “Maybe she doesn’t want a better life,” Stone says. “I’ve seen…” Listen here Mike, don’t interrupt an old man when he’s telling a story, he might forget,” Gus cut Mike off and a sternness in his voice was heard throughout the cafe. The customers started to giggle and Amanda’s laughter could be heard over the giggles. Stone just leaned back with a shocked expression on his face as Gus continued on. “Jessica is only 17; she is still learning what she wants. She also needs somewhere to go, somewhere far away from this little corner. Moving her to Dugan, or Evans or Lithe won’t help her. The forest here holds mysteries that can not be solved. People come can go after hearing the legends and myths. Some have even disappeared. Nothing can be explained. Only the people here know. There are creatures here, big creatures. So I’ve heard. No one has survived after seeing one is how it goes. Surely someone has though but no one tells a tale about it,” Gus’s voice got eerie as his story continued. “This is the safest of the towns as the forest doesn’t run through it but Dugan, Evans and Lithe are surrounded by it.”What can you tell me about the creatures?” asked Stone. “Well this is all just rumor but they can walk on all fours or on their hind legs. They are the size of a bear, with its strength, but are no bear. They come in all colors. White, grey, black, and some are brown. They are aggressive and hunt for sport more than to feed. That is what I remember best of the myths at least.” “That is quite the legend Gus,” Stone responds. “They sound like bears.” “You ever seen a grey bear, Mike?” Gus replies. Stone leaned back and thought. His hand ran through the stubble on his chin. He took a sip from his juice and Gus took one from his coffee. Amanda came around and refilled Gus’s cup. “Don’t let legends scare you away,” Amanda stated. “If no one has seen one, does it exist? And besides, it’s just bears.” Here’s your breakfast and I’ll bring you another juice.” Thank you Amanda,” replied Stone.
After a few bites of his breakfast, Stone asked Gus a question. “So how is Jess after last night, you heard anything from her?” “Not yet but I was going to go drive by her place after my coffee. You want to tag along?” Gus responded. “I’m not sure if I should,” Stone stated. “I’m sure George won’t be poking around, I heard he was pretty beat up. Broken bones and everything, “Gus says.”Hopefully this will teach him a lesson and his boys. It’s been years since anyone has taken them down, even alone George can’t be handled. The police even leave him alone, well except for that new lady cop. She hasn’t learnt, yet. That boy has only done one good thing in this life, and he’s treated her like shit for years and years and probably still will.” “Well I would like to hear more about the legend. Can I finish my breakfast?” Stone asked. “Sure can, Mike. I’ll come get you after I’m done visiting with the boys and don’t worry, I won’t tell them about last night. Got more war stories to share with my gang.”