Hidden Truth

Claire The wind blew softly across my face, carrying my hair back behind me. The sky, a swirl of pink and blue, as the sun slowly fell in the horizon, and the full moon rose to take its place. I sat there on the edge of the small mountain overlooking my neighborhood. This was my peaceful spot. Nothing around me existed anymore and I could focus on my thoughts. I sat there watching as the wind blew the changing leaves across the landscape as the beginning of fall started. "There you are Claire." a soft voice spoke behind me. I jumped from the sudden interruption from my thoughts and glanced over my shoulder at my friend Brooklyn. Her long black hair glistened as the bright rays from the sunset hit her. Turning back to my view I sighed, focusing on an orange leaf intertwined with a bright red leaf as they blew across the ground. Deep down I was always a little jealous of her, but I'd never admit that. As cheer captain she had no problems with the guys, with her tiny waist, long legs, and fair complexion. She took a seat next to me and waved her hand in my face, yelling, "Claire, are you there?" Snapping my head to her I pushed her hand away. "Yeah, yeah, I'm here. What," I asked. "The party is about to start. We have to go get ready." Brook said as she stood and reached down for my hand. Letting out a sigh I let her pull me up and I brushed off the dirt from my butt. Standing up straight I shook my head at her, "I'm not going Brook." Her calm expression dropped as she looked at me annoyed. I had a habit of canceling plans when parties were involved. They were not my thing. I didn't have many friends at school, so I didn't want to be the loner in a corner while people got drunk. "What," she asked in a deadly calm voice. "What do you mean you aren't going? You always do this Claire. Its time you got out of your shell." "I have to work Brook. I'm sorry," I softly spoke and looked at the ground, kicking my foot in the dirt. I knew she wanted more from me, but I just didn't belong at those parties. None of those people liked me much, they only tolerated me because of Brook. Shifting in my spot I looked up at her and asked, "Can you give me a ride home?" Letting out a deep sigh she nodded, "Sure, what kind of friend would I be if I left you here." "Thank you," giving a small smile to each other we turned and headed down the hillside in silence to her car. *** The entire car ride to my house was filled with Brooklyn's latest guy problem. She was telling me about her boyfriend, Derek, and how she caught him cheating, again. This time it was with her friend. I tried to pay attention to her ranting, but I was sick of hearing about Derek issues. I sat up all night helping her through the first time he cheated. All it took was a dozen roses and some begging, and they were back together. I warned her, told her not to take him back, but she never listens. I just played the part of supportive friend and told her to leave him. I saw my house come into view in the distance. It was a run-down red brick one-story house with a chipped white front porch and fence. The grass was overgrown again, and weeds overtook the yard. She pulled into the empty driveway, and I sighed with relief. My mom's shitty boyfriend was gone. He was always trying to force himself on me whenever she wasn't around. As I climbed out, she asked me, "you sure you can't ditch work?" "Yeah, sorry Brook. I need the money," I smiled weakly and waved her off. She backed out slowly and I made my way to the front door. I prayed my mom was asleep as I pulled my keys out. Quietly I opened the door, I slipped my shoes off before entering and walked in. The tv was blasting in the living room as she slept on the couch. Softly shutting the door, I tiptoed to the back of the house to my room. Shutting my door, I walked over to my closet and pulled out my work clothes. I made my way quietly to the bathroom to take a quick shower. Stepping out, I stood in front of the mirror, taking myself in. I was never impressed by my looks. I was thicker than Brooklyn, and my golden-brown hair was thick and wavy as it dripped down my back. Grabbing my towel, I dried my hair as best I could and put it up in a messy bun. I slipped on my faded blue jeans and pulled on my black work shirt with the restaurant's name and logo on it. I walked back to my room and looked at my clock to see it was already five o'clock. I slipped on my black gym shoes and put on a fleece jacket. Grabbing my bag, I left my room and headed down the hall to the front door. Walking into the living room I glanced at the couch to see my mom was gone. Looking in the kitchen I didn't see her, so I quickly tried to leave the house before she came out of the back of the house. As I opened the door, my mom came down the hall and slammed the door shut from behind me. "Where do you think you're going?" she slurred. "I have to go to work." I softly spoke, my hand remained on the handle waiting for my chance to escape. She leaned in closer to my face and I could smell the alcohol on her breath. She had bags under her eyes and her face seemed more sunken in. "Where's my money," she seethed. "I pick up my check tonight." I slowly turned the knob and cracked the front door to try and slip out. "Where are you going?" She staggered back a little and brought her hand up, striking me across the face. "Don't back away from me." Staggering back a step I grabbed my stinging cheek. I looked at the ground as I pleaded with her, "Sorry, can I please go to work?" "Fine whatever," she sneered and moved out of my way. I opened the door quickly and slipped out. As I walked down the steps, she poked her head out the door and yelled, "and don't come home unless you have my money." The door slammed shut, making me jump as I slowly walked to work. My eyes started welling up with tears as the streetlamps started to turn on, illuminating the road. The road was empty, no one ever really drove down this part of town. I lived in the run-down area where a lot of drug dealers lived. If I had my way I wouldn't walk down here, but it is the only way to work so I had to suck it up and walk fast. About ten minutes later I saw the lights of the restaurant in the distance, I was almost there. I have been a waitress at a little old country restaurant called "Woody's Round up" since I was sixteen. Ever since my dad left and with my mom being a drunk, I had to find a job. The place looked more like a shack with chipped off paint and the shutters hanging off the hinges. I heard a noise coming from the distance near the woods, but when I looked, I saw nothing. Speeding up my pace, I walked through the front doors of the small building. "Hello Claire," Frank, the owner of the restaurant, greeted. He was around fifty, with a big gut and greying hair. Frank was a nice guy, but you didn't want to get on his bad side. "Good evening, Frank. How is business tonight?" I gave a small smile to him and took a seat on one of the stools at the bar. "It's going good," He smiled back and handed me my note pad and pen. "Now off to the tables." I grabbed my things and slid off the stool, heading to my first table. "Hello, my name is Claire," I smiled at the older couple. "I will be your server for the evening, what can I get you?" *** Today was busier than most nights so the time was flying by. A lot of our customers were older gentlemen that have been coming around for years. The last two years I worked here I developed a few close relationships with some of the regulars. They would only sit in my section to talk, and they tipped decently. "Hey Claire," Dana came up to me as I walked towards the kitchen. She was a petite woman who worked nights with me while she attended college. "Frank asked me to go on break, can you cover the table that just walked in?" "Yeah, sure," I gave her a smile as I finished wiping off the countertop. "Thank you," she smiled back and slowly walked off to the kitchen. Placing the rag by the sink I pulled out my notepad and pen, and made my way to the back booth. It was in the more dim, quiet part of the restaurant. As I approached, I didn't recognize the three men sitting at the table. They looked to be in their twenties, and all related to each other. Two of the men were twins, the only difference between them was one had their hair buzzed and the other had it a few inches long. I stopped in front of their table and smiled warmly. "Hello, what can I get you guys tonight?" The guy across from me leaned forward, he was one of the twins. His light green eyes stared intently into mine as he spoke, "Well I would love to have you." He had a flirtatious smile on his face, and it was hard not to stare. A part of me wondered what it would feel like to run my hands through his short black hair. I snapped out of it and leaned forward, resting my hands on the table. All their eyes drifted down to my cleavage. "Oh really," I softly spoke. Slowly he lifted his eyes to meet mine, "yes, so when do you get off beauty?" I stood up, crossed my arms, and shook my head at him. "That doesn't really matter, now does it." "And why not, beauty," he asked, leaning back. He crossed his arms over his broad chest, and I couldn't help but take him in. Wonder what it would feel like to run my hands down his chest. I mentally slapped myself before replying, "because I wouldn't go anywhere with you." I smirked and the other two men let out a laugh as his face dropped a bit. The guy sitting to my right spoke up, "can I get a beer? Bud light, from the bottle." I nodded and glanced at him. I froze, entranced by his bright blue eyes. They drew me in to him, and I lost my train of thought. "Same for everyone," The guy to my left said, breaking me from my trance. Nodding, I quickly left the table. I went behind the bar and grabbed the three bottles and popped the caps off. Who were those guys? I thought to myself. Something about them didn't seem normal. "You okay Claire," Frank asked as he stepped around the bar. "You seem lost in your head." "Yeah, I'm good Frank." I smiled and grabbed the bottles. Placing the bottles on the table I asked one last time if they needed anything else before heading to my other tables. Dana would be back soon, and she could deal with those men. The rest of the night I stole little glances at them; mostly at blue eyes. They were joined by a few drunk college girls, who didn't hide the fact they were trying to go home with them. I felt a little envious. A part of me wished I was sitting with those guys; hanging on blue eye's arm. Maybe even going home with him and having my way with him. But I knew that would never happen. I shook those thoughts away and focused on finishing my shift. When midnight hit, the bar was starting to close up. I started wiping down the tables and putting chairs up. While I swept the floors, I noticed the three men heading for the doors with the girls. At least someone would be getting lucky tonight, I thought as I threw the debris from the floor in the trash can. "Hey Claire, your check is sitting in my office. You can grab it on your way out tonight." Frank called from the bar. I gave him a nod and headed for the back office. Opening his door, I walked over to his desk in the middle of the room. Finding the envelope with my name on it, I slipped it into my pocket, and headed out. Letting the last customer out, I locked the front doors, and went to the kitchen for the mop bucket. Dana was drying some dishes as I wheeled the bucket out of the closet. "I can do that Claire. Can you take out the trash, and then I can give you a ride home." "Yeah, no problem." I sighed and gave her one last look," Thank you Dana." She gave a soft smile back and left the kitchen with the mop bucket. She was the only person who knew what my living situation was like. She offered me her couch if I ever needed it, but I couldn't leave my mom alone. She was the only family I had left. I grabbed the two large bags from the kitchen and went through the back door towards the dumpster. From around the corner, I heard a muffled noise. Placing the bags down, I slowly walked towards the side of the building. For a brief second, it sounded like someone moaning in pleasure, but then everything went silent. Slowly I peered around the corner and saw the three men from the bar with those girls. The girls had their backs against the building and their shirts were off. The men stood flush against them; their heads down by their chests. They seemed to be sucking on the top of their breasts. Squinting my eyes, I thought I saw red slowly dripping down the girls' stomachs. A scream rang out in the silent night air, and I realized it was coming from me. I put a hand over my mouth, but it was too late. All three of the men were staring right at me. Blood was dripping from their mouths as they all smiled at me. I'm a dead girl, I thought as they advanced towards me.