Raven steals five packets of sugar, tearing them open to pour them into her cup. Frowning at the creamer, she snags one. Sniffing her cup, she grimaces and takes another. She’s never liked coffee.
It’s laughable, watching her. It always has been. Every laugh ends with a sigh, though, ruining the humor.
If we give ourselves up, it’ll be better this way. How many years can someone be locked up for first-degree attempted murder, anyway? If we’re locked away for life, then at least we’ll get a place to sleep and food to fill our stomachs.
Could we get less time since Dale lived? I mean, Raven didn’t mean to miss, but a bullet to the thigh is a lot better than to where she tried to shoot.
Instead of drinking my cup, I draw my knees to my chest and sigh into my thighs.
“We can check out the grocery store after this,” Raven hums, already planning our next steps. She’ll see what she can sneak into her bag before we make a run for it. “Pen, it’s going to be okay.”
“It’s not going to be okay.” Muffling my words against torn jeans, I shake my head.
Telling myself not to cry, not to make her feel bad, it’s hard not to soak the fabric once my eyes start watering.
I’m tired.So tired.
Eva’s sweet enough not to make a comment during her refill rounds. The next time she swings around, it’s not the smell of coffee beans that gives her away.
“Here you go, you two.”
Lifting my chin, I’m surprised by the savory scent that hits my nose. My eyes double in size at mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and a greasy burger that makes my mouth flood with hunger.
Eva plants down the food with confidence, despite our immediate rejection.
“We didn’t—” Raven swallows, even her expression faltering. While I know a big part of her wants to accept the mistake, she tears her eyes away from the steam. “This isn’t ours.”
The woman nods before she throws a thumb over her shoulder. “Those two ordered it for you.”
Turning my head to where she’s pointing, I see two men engrossed in their own meal. One of them smiles wickedly and talks with his hands while the other simply listens. They look a little older than us, at least by ten years.
With the leather wrapped around their shoulders, they look dangerous. The kind of people I’d avoid.
“Perverts.” Raven grumbles the insult under her breath, but she doesn’t think twice about digging in. “Eat before they want something in return.”
She’s right. Over the last two months, it’s become pretty clear that no one does anything out of the goodness of their heart anymore. The world is cruel.
Thanking the waitress, I turn to my plate. Wiping my eyes before the emotions can set in, I eat without chewing. It’s delicious. The best thing I’ve eaten in a long time.
When the woman returns to refill Raven’s coffee, she offers another smile when spotting our cleared plates. “Are you two in the mood for dessert? We have a fine selection of pies.”
My sister jerks, staring at the men across the diner. Eva laughs, finding amusement in her displeasure.
“John’s a little strange, but Samuel is a sweetheart, though he might not look it.” She looks between us. “If it’s any reassurance, they’ve taken plenty of runaways over the last few months. They don’t have bad intentions, not as far as I’m aware. Let them buy you a slice or two.”
While my sister scowls, I look past the woman and realize that one of the men is now looking our way.
My heart flutters in my chest when I meet the heavy gaze. It’s not a pounding from fear, but light and airy. My stomach clenches at another new sensation.Butterflies.
“Apple pie.” The words leave my lips, much to my sister’s dismay. “If you have it. She’ll take cherry.”
Eva nods, scribbling it down on her notepad.
“Bring mine to their table, though, would you?” Heart still going rogue, my legs join the party as I move.
“Penelope.” Raven panics when she realizes what I’m doing. “Penelope.”
Leaving them both behind, I’m walking across the diner. Something twists in my gut, demanding I see him up close.
