Nefarious (4 Ch. Sample)

Chapter Two

When they were done and the Sheriff had left, Rylan went back inside and got to work. This time she put in earbuds and listened to music to keep her thoughts at bay. Hours flew by and she was pretty much done with the first level of the house when it came to dusting. She still needed to mop.

Rylan gathered her things. When she pulled her phone from her purse, she had a missed call from both her aunt and cousin along with a text from Marlysa. She read it out loud.

"Sorry! I ran into an old friend and lost track of time. Please don't be mad, Ry." Rylan rolled her eyes. So much for Marlysa feeling guilty about not wanting to come here in the first place. As she walked to her car her stomach let her know she hadn't feed it since her flight here. That was over forty-eight hours ago. That wasn't the best thing for her to be doing.

For the past four years she had been struggling with an eating disorder. It had all started her freshman year of college. She was bound and determined not to fall victim to the freshman fifteen. It got out of hand. Her food intake seemed like the only thing in her life that she could control. She had the power over the food and her body and the only time that the two could disappoint her or hurt her in anyway was if she let it. In the past year she had been seeking help. She had spent six months the year before in a program at a hospital. She was doing better this year. This was the first time in months she had gone this long without eating.

Rylan got in her car and drove into town. She found a small diner with Wi-Fi. The diner was new. It hadn't been there when she was here last. She hoped that she wouldn't run into anyone she knew. The bell above the door chimed when Rylan pushed opened the door. There was this small-town homey feel to the diner. And smelled of burgers and fries. And maybe chicken. Small wood tables with wood chairs filled the dining room. It was a seat yourself kind of place. Rylan found a table off to the side, away from the few customers that were there. No one seemed to pay any attention to her.

Rylan pulled out her tablet and connected to the Wi-Fi. She needed to check on her order of kitchen appliances that she had placed before leaving to come to Oak Harbor. The power would be turned on sometime the next day. Rylan was going through her email when she felt someone approach her table.

"Hi, I'm Anna, your waitress."

The color drained from Rylan's face, her stomach dropping. She couldn't bring herself to look up. Even though she knew that voice, she prayed – begged – it wasn't really her. Anna Lindley. Rylan tried to swallow. Her mouth and tongue felt like it had a layer of cotton. Her chest tightened with anxiety.

"Here's a menu. Can I start you off with something to drink?" Anna asked the girl sitting alone with her head down.

Rylan knew she had to look up. Knew she had to face another person from her past. It felt like she had a weight strapped around her neck forcing her to keep her head down. The seconds ticked by with Anna still holding out the menu and waiting for her drink order. You can't hide forever, Rylan. You knew it was bound to happen sooner or later. I was just hoping it would be later.

"Um, Miss?"

"Coffee." Rylan finally looked up, her eyes meeting with Anna's, her former best friend. Rylan took the menu form her. Anna didn't say anything. She only wrote down the drink order as she walked off to get the coffee. Did she not recognize her? It had been six years. But Mrs. Thomas had recognized her, and Anna had been her best friend. Anna should at least think she looked familiar. Rylan wasn't sure why she felt a little offend. She should be thankful Anna didn't recognize her. It was one thing she wouldn't have to deal with right now.

"Here you go." Anna sat down a cup of coffee. "I'll give you another minute to look over the menu, but may I suggest chili cheese fries with bacon and a side of mac and cheese, and bacon bits sprinkled on to."