Angelica "Freak Two" Munson

Chapter 30

As to be expected, Angie didn't sleep nearly at all that night. Her baggy eyes and ratted hair proved that she spent the night tossing and turning.

It was currently 9:47, and Angie decided that it was time to finally check out of her motel room. Her baggage was limited, so it wouldn't be a big hassle to take it with her to breakfast.

When she sulks into the diner, it goes unnoticed by the sparce costumers.

The larger woman from before hands her a menu and escorts her to a table in the back corner.

"What would you like to drink?"

"Can I do a coffee and a water?"

"Sure thing."

Without much to do until noon, Angie sits in silence at the wooden table.

When the woman comes back with the beverages, she orders a waffle and decides that's all she can stomach.

As she waits, she fumbles with her hands in thought. In all honesty, it's something she hasn't done for a long time. Angie's been content enough to keep herself from the stress. Now, she's lost her method of grounding: Steve.

The longer Angie ponders the idea, the harder she fiddles with her hands. Frustrated, she throws her elbows onto the table and her head in her hands. Tears rise to her eyes once again as her thoughts swallow her whole. She tries to contain it and take a deep breath. Besides, this whole thing is her fault anyway.

"You're not allowed to be upset." She thinks, "This is all your fault."

The thought occurs over and over again.

This is all your fault.

This is all your fault.

You pushed him away.

You're useless.

This is all your fault.

Suddenly, she stands from the chair and quickly stumbles away from her table.

"You haven't even gotten your food yet, hun." The waitress calls.

"I'll be right back. I just need some air." She mutters out, surprised she was even able to form words.

All she could think was the phrase: I need out!

As she bursts from the door, her vision blurs from the lack of oxygen.

Breathe.

Breathe!

Angie forces air into her lungs as the panic stops. She hasn't experienced anything like this since she was a kid.

Usually, it was a one and done kind of thing, and then she was over it. She just needed to get her feelings out.

Angie takes one more breath and heads back into the establishment. The only recognition of the disturbance was the waitress awkwardly leaving the plate of food onto her single wooden table. She quietly thanks her and begins nipping at the toasted waffle.

I'm fine.

I'm fine.

Don't be a baby.

You're fine.

By then, it's close to 10:30. She continues to sip at her coffee and water until 11:42. Her only entertainment is the passersby in the small window pane.

Angie pays the woman, making sure to grab her backpack and change before heading out the door. It's only a few blocks from the decided meeting place. Her best bet is to walk until she finds Jack McCain, and then she'll load into the vehicle.