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Chapter 7 - Wren

Wren left the bar feeling hopeful for the first time in months. She would have skipped home if her body wasn’t still recovering from Nick’s abuse. She hadn’t had time to go to a hospital or see a doctor for fear Nick would find her. Hospitals always required real information and she couldn’t risk that.

But she didn’t mind. Things were starting to get better. She pulled out her phone as she walked the couple of blocks back to the motel.

Hi Jules, she texted her best friend. I’m okay…more than okay. I got a job!

Wren was about to slid her phone back in her pocket when it buzzed again. And again. And again. She pulled it out and dropped it immediately when she saw the messages on her screen.

Where are you?

You think you can get away from me?

Come back, or else!

Her hands were shaking. Her whole body lit up in goosebumps. She picked her phone up and blocked the number. She knew that wouldn’t be enough, but it was a start. She looked around nervously. There were some people walking around and she noticed more and more cars driving past as it got closer to lunch time. Her stomach rumbled.

I should try and eat, she thought. Wren turned down a street that led into the heart of the town. She gradually saw more and more people, a sign that assured her she was heading in the right direction. After another block, she started seeing some shops. She went into one call Black Fox Boutique that advertised, “affordable, trendy clothes.”

“Hello! Can I help you find anything?” A girl with dark black hair tinted purple stood near the front door folding jeans at a table. She was a little taller and much curvier than Wren, which Wren wished she could achieve. She had a septum piercing and was wearing a pair of pleather leggings and an oversized band sweatshirt.

“I’m just looking for some basics,” wren said, pulling at the ends of her hair. “But thank you.”

The girl eyes her a bit suspiciously. “I’ve never seen you around before, are you new or just stopping through?”

Wren wasn’t sure how to answer that. She hadn’t arrived with plans to settle down here, but she did just get a job. So maybe she was? “I don’t really know,” she said, walking to a rack of leggings of all types across from the girl. “I hadn’t really decided yet.”

She laughed, “I understand. This place isn’t for everyone, but it grows on you.” She said, moving on to a rack of sweaters behind her. “Do you want some help picking things out? I think this one would really compliment your eye color,” she said, holding up a chocolate brown cropped sweater with a mock neck.

Wren gave her a small smile. “I actually do really like that. I could use some help, it’s been a long time since I shopped for myself.”

The girl walked over and stuck her hand out, she had several rings on her fingers and bracelets on her arms. “My name is Maria,” she said.

Wren stuck her hand out and shook Maria’s hand. “I’m Ellie,” she said. I think I might make this place my new home, she thought.

After an hour, Wren was leaving the store with a bag in one hand and Maria had made sure Wren took down her number so they could hang out sometime. She had also pointed Wren in the direction of the diner everyone ate at so she could grab some food. Thankfully it was just around the corner, because Wren’s stomach was cramping she was so hungry.

She turned the corner and saw the diner across the street. It was an old school, 70’s building with metal siding and a big Open sign hanging in the window. She quickly crossed the street when the Walk sign came on and walked through the front door.

Thankfully it looked as though the lunch rush just ended, so there wasn’t many people in the restaurant other than a couple of guys in the back wearing jackets that matched Liam’s. They looked up when she walked in and she quickly ducked her head and sat down at a booth on the opposite side of the room, facing the door so she could see who was coming in.

The waitress came over and took Wren’s order, a chicken sandwich with mayo and lettuce and fries with a water. When she left, one of the guys in the leather jacket came up to her. He was young, maybe a year or two younger than she was, with short blonde hair. The jacket had no patches on the front, not even the skull and knife emblem.

“Hey, my name is Danny,” he said, sitting down across from her without even asking. Wren didn’t like the way he looked at her, and his pupils were pin points. He was definitely high on something.

“Hi,” she said, her voice shook. She sounded weak.

“What’s your name, beautiful,” Danny said, leaning in closer to her. The kitchen door opened to her right and she looked over, hoping it was the waitress bringing her food and saving her, but it was definitely not her plump, middle age waitress in an apron.

“Leave her be, Proby,” Liam’s voice was low, but filled with authority. He was wearing a flannel now over the white t-shirt from earlier at the bar, and his staple leather jacket over that. I forgot, he owns this place, too, Wren thought.

Danny stood immediately and walked back to the table where the other two guys were laughing. Wren sunk down into her seat as Liam walked over and placed her food down in front of her.

“Sorry about that,” Liam said. He rubbed the back of his head. He was standing close enough that she could smell whatever cologne he was wearing, it smelled like fresh pine and cedar. “He’s an i***t, but harmless. He won’t bother you anymore.”

“He wasn’t bothering me much,” Wren said. Liam gestured toward the seat across from her and she nodded her head at him.

“So did you meet Maria,” he asked. Wren had just taken a bite of her sandwich and almost chocked. Was he following me? How does he know, she thought.

“The bag?” Liam said, pointing at the bag of clothes next to me. “Maria owns the Black Fox.”

“Oh,” Wren said, taking a bite of a french fry. “Yeah, sorry. I did she helped me pick out some things. I didn’t have much when I left…” she trailed off.

“No need to apologize,” Liam said. He scooted out of the booth and stood up. “I’m actually wrapping up here. Do you want a lift back to the motel when you’re done?”

“You don’t have to, I don’t want to bother you for anything else,” Wren said, looking up at him. He wasn’t the type she typically went for, but he was definitely one of the sexiest men she had ever met. Something about his eyes drew her in and she couldn’t think straight when he was around.

“Not a bother at all, and again, my mom would kill me if I didn’t offer,” he said, again giving her a half smile she found extremely attractive.

“Okay, well… I wouldn’t want your mom to be mad at you,” Wren blushed as she took another bite.

“Okay, take your time and I’ll be finished up here soon,” he said before walking behind the counter and disappearing into the kitchen.