Violet

Two

I wasn’t really keeping up with the time but if I had to guess, I had made it about ten minutes down the road when I came across a dirt path. Silently I pulled out my phone and checked the map. The road curved towards the left and the dirt path cut straight through a clearing behind this street and then connected back to the main street further down towards the shops in this town. I could only assume some neighborhood kids had used their bikes through here to keep from having to ride on the street or maybe to cut the travel time down. Truthfully, I wasn’t interested in why as I shrugged my shoulders to myself and made my way behind the houses, being careful to stick to the dirt path when it began to lead me through some rougher terrain. 

I continued on. At this point, I could just barely make out the clearing and I gave a thankful huff, chuckling to myself, when I noticed my breath come out in puffs again. I shook my head at my own thoughts as I made it past the last of the tree line, into the clearing. According to the map, the dirt road cuts straight through this clearing and then stops when it opens out to the side of the street up ahead. I studied the map on my phone for a moment, noticing a diner to the right of the clearing, further down the street. With one more quick glance at the map, I put my phone away, and began my slow walk across the clearing. 

The November cold could be felt in every step I took. The ground was freezing, but it wasn’t quite cold enough to start snowing. I wouldn’t be surprised if, in a few days, the clouds would begin to drop flurries. I continued moving forward as I raked my eyes across the open space, noticing something in the distance that caused me to stop dead in my tracks. A few footsteps away, in the dirt, was a paw print. I blinked once then shuffled closer to it as I swept my eyes across the clearing once more. Crouching low to the ground I studied the large paw print and became increasingly aware of my being the only person out here. My eyes circled the space around it and found another paw print parallel to the first one. This one wasn’t nearly as prominent in the ground as the other one. I made no sound as I stretched to a standing position while trying to keep my nerves at bay. Looking at both prints as a whole, I realized, whatever animal had been here was massive. 

A frown found it’s way onto my face as I bent low again and ran my hands over the cold ground, running my fingertips lightly over the dented earth where the pads of the animals paws had been. Quickly, I pulled my hand back as if I had been burnt. I wildly looked around as I felt my heart rate spike while my anxious curiosity grew. The paw print had been warm to the touch, almost as if an animal had stood in that exact spot moments ago, but that was impossible. I didn’t see any animals when I walked out here and, given the size of the paws, I could only assume the animal was of larger stature which ensures I would have at least seen something of it before it disappeared. I narrowed my eyes and looked at the paw print again. 

It was shaped differently than a dogs. Logically, I knew it wasn’t a dogs paw print. But if it wasn’t from a dog, that meant it could possibly be from some larger, more terrifying animal, and I refused to believe that. I shook my head and chuckled to myself as I ran my hand over my face. 

“You’re being irrational, Violet, there’s no wild animals in this clearing, and if there were, someone else would have seen it. I mean, we’re right by the road and the houses.” I mumbled to myself. 

I straightened up and turned towards my original destination. I pulled my jacket tighter around me and picked up my pace as I made my way to the street. I could still feel my heartbeat pounding erratically in my chest. I exhaled a relieved sigh once I made it passed the trees again and onto the sidewalk. I had to walk on the side of someone’s house, in their yard, and I made a mental note not to do that again. I only hoped the owner of the house would not come out bearing a gun. It happened often in New York. People weren’t fond of strangers being on their property. 

I didn’t stick around long enough to find out if the owner was upset, instead choosing to pull out my cell phone and follow the map further as I made my way to the diner. After another ten minutes of walking I reached the front doors. The temperature had dropped some and I shivered as I made my way inside. I noticed there weren’t many people here as I skimmed my eyes over the “seat yourself” sign by the front door. I saw no waitress as I made my way to a table in the back left corner. The diner was quaint and there were only a handful of tables and booths with a front counter that held a large menu board on the wall behind it. 

By the time I had sat I noticed a women much older than I was stood behind the counter and we made eye contact as I sat down and pulled my phone from my pocket. The women had long brown hair tied off into a bun, I could just barely make out a few grey strands streaking through it, giving some indication of her age. She had honey colored eyes and somewhat of a frail, thin face. She gave me a polite smile and when I returned it, I noticed she was beginning to make her way over to me. My leg began bouncing under the table and I couldn’t help the slight anxiety that felt like it was creeping it’s way up my throat. 

“Get ahold of yourself Violet.” I chastised myself under my breath but quickly went quiet as she approached the table. 

“Hello, I am Regina, would you like anything to eat or drink dear?” Regina spoke up with a kind smile afterwards and her soft features and small voice helped to alleviate most of the anxiety I held. 

“Oh, right, I guess I had better order something. I am Violet by the way.” I responded with a chuckle and attempted to look behind her at the menu board. I hadn’t the slightest clue as to what I should order. Regina noticed my hesitation and once again gave a polite smile. 

“Why don’t I make something fresh for you, Lu…?” She spoke up but cut herself off, quickly falling into silence, before I had a chance to object and ask her any questions. She turned on her heel and made her way back to the counter. 

“You just wait right there and I’ll whip something up in just a moment.” She spoke again but left no room to argue as she made her way into the back of the diner. Once she was out of eyesight, I pulled out my phone and checked for any missed calls. Concern briefly coursed through me when my eyes landed on the missed call notification from “mom” on the screen. I dialed her back as I waited on Regina. She picked up on the second ring. 

“Violet, where are you? I looked outside but you weren’t down the street. Remember you have to be careful around here. We still don’t know this town very well.” Her words rang through the phone and when she paused to take a breath I spoke up, knowing that if I didn’t speak now, I wouldn’t get a word in edgewise. 

“I found a diner about fifteen, twenty minutes down the road. I figured I could come in and check the place out, maybe I could get a job here?” I questioned, more so to myself than her. 

“Well, why don’t we get your school and counseling figured out first and then we can worry about a job.” She responded sternly and I huffed quietly in response. 

“Well, can I at least eat something here before I head back?” 

“It shouldn’t take too long, if you’re okay with that.” I spoke up again. 

“That’s fine, just be careful coming home and please try and be home before dark sweetie.” She responded with a hint of urgency in her tone. I frowned at that but remained silent as I chalked it up to her being nervous about us being in a new place. 

“I will. I have to go now mom, my food is coming out.” I responded in a rushed manner as I watched Regina carry a plate with a bowl on top towards me. 

“Okay, I will see you tonight. I love you Violet.” 

My mother spoke up one final time but before I could respond the line went dead. I paid no mind to it as I quickly put my phone on the booth seat beside my leg. Regina had made it to my table by this point and I smiled cautiously at her as she placed the plate in front of me. 

“I made my famous homemade chicken and dumpling soup. I hope that’s okay.” She shot me a nervous smile. 

“Of course, I am happy to try it out.” I replied with a warm smile. Her response was a small smile and a head nod as I watched her turn and make her way back up to the counter. 

Without another word I began to eat the soup. It was delicious to say the least and I felt content as I continued eating, making subtle glances here and there out of the window to my right. It didn’t take me long to finish the food and once I was done I pulled myself from the booth and steadily walked towards the counter to pay. Regina took notice of me with only a few steps to spare and stepped to the register with a smile on her face. I began to pull out my money from my pocket but she stopped me before I could get it out. 

“Don’t worry about it, it’s on the house for you Lu-”. She stopped herself once again from saying that final word. I found it odd but dismissed it as quickly when I realized how dark it was becoming outside with a small glance to the front door. 

“Only if you’re sure.” I replied and noticed her firmly shake her head, smile still in place. With a nod of my own, I made my way out of the front doors of the diner, and down the street, headed towards home. I glanced back at the diner one final time to catch the name of the place only to instead see Regina, through the glass windows, staring wide eyed at me, phone pressed against her ear. A strange feeling enveloped me but I shrugged it off as I continued my route home.