Anne openned her eyes and found herself lying down on her bed in her room. She saw her dark room. It was dim with the light only coming from the open window. The wind blew softly, swaying the curtain. Anne wiped her sweat. The breeze from the window was not enough. Anne still felt warm and wet. She aroused and sat on the edge of her bed. She, however, realized that the thing waking her up was not the warmth. The thing waking her up was the dream she had this night. The same dream she had had for couple nights lately. She felt the dream so real. She even still remembered the wet grass she treaded on and the cool air she breathed in.
In the dream, she was in a field near the forest surrounded by people whose pale face and people whose hands rose toward her. All of them seemed hunted her. She ran to the forest while the folks were still running after her. She was so scared when she could not run anymore. In a short, she was surrounded.
" She is ours. One of us...!" Those people mumbled as they were surrounding her. She felt dizzy when she had to see the faces changing, pale faces and hooded faces.
Suddenly a hand grabbed her and took her away. A curly brunnete woman dragged her gently. She said some words like spells. From her fingers aroused blue spark that made those people make a way through.
The pale face people screamed in anger while the hooded faces was growling in anger. Anne tried to run after the woman. The woman, however, ran fast but elegantly.
Anne and the woman arrived in the field full of roses. The woman turned around. She was so beautiful. She seemed translucent in her white gown. Anne saw her and felt so missing her. Anne approached her and touched her " I miss you.." Surprisingly, Anne said that. Anne felt so close as well as so strange. She hadn't met the woman before but she felt knew her.
" Don't forget your past, my dear. There are some chores that you must accomplish. Trust your heart, it will guide you..." The woman spoke in whisper. The voice was so gentle that Anne closed her eyes to enjoy it. When she opened her eyes, she had laid down on her bed.
Anne thought about the dream as she was walking to the openned window. She swayed the curtain and saw the dark outside. No one was outside. There wasn't any sound to hear. It was just wind blowing.
Suddenly, Anne saw shadows behind the tree on the yard. Anne pinched her eyes to make sure. There were about two or three people there watching her. She felt goosebump when she saw those people got out from the tree and walked toward her.
They were one woman and two men. They were so pale, like the people in her dream. They smiled, showing their sharp white teeth and seemed saying something to her.
"Anne !!!"
Robert Parker stood next to her and directly closed the window. He looked so worried. Anne could see his father glance to those people then closed the curtain.
" Honey, it was not good to see outside in the middle of night like this. You know...the news about the kidnapping and murder " Maria Parker talked to her, dragging her to her bad " it will be save if you close the window next time "
" Dad, did you see three people on our yard? " Anne asked.
Robert scratched his gray hair pertubedly. He glanced a flash outside then walked to the bed and sat beside Anne " No..... Just the shadow from the trunks "
Anne shook her head " No. I can differentiate the shadow and people, Dad. Those are people! Clearly!!!"
" You're in half dream, Anne...." Maria said, pushing Anne to lie down on the bed.
" I'm not dreaming, Mom " Anne asserted, averting Maria's hand " I know what I saw...". Anne got up and walked to the window. She swayed the curtain and scanned the yard. The woman and the men had gone. There were only the darkness and silence left.
" What....." Anne mumbled confused " I'm sure......" Anne turned to her parent. They were staring at her worried.
"Let's go back to sleep. We talk about this tomorrow " Robert said and walked out from the room. Maria came to Anne and dragged her to the bed.
" You believe me, don't you? " Anne asked Maria
" Just like your father said...tomorrow " Maria answered and covered Anne'swith the thin brown blanket
*****
Canteen
11 a.m
"So, you had had the same dreams for couple nights? " Larry asked as he scooped his lunch, mashed potatoes and french fries.
Anne nodded. She was playing her lunch, a bowl of cream soup and garlic breads. It had been few days she had lost her appetite. She used to pass her breakfast, lunch or dinner. Since yesterday, She even hadn't had anything but an apple and mineral water in the morning. She didn't feel hungry.
" Wanna take mine? " Anne asked Larry
Larry knitted his forehead. He knew that Anne hadn't had anything since yesterday " Eat it, Anne"
" I'm not hungry " Anne pushed the bowl and saw outside the window. It was dark outside. It was going to rain. The lamps in the canteen were even turned on to illuminate the room.
Larry was about to push Anne to have her lunch when some girls screamed franticly. He turned his head to the scream and found the couse. Mr. Federico Bavard, accompanied by Mr. Jacob, PE teacher, entered the canteen.
As usual, Federico Bavard was wearing the black suit that made him so mysterious. He smiled a little to the screaming girls and took a seat in the corner,right in front of Anne.
Anne touched her chest. She could feel her heart pumping fast. It was not pain. It was a longing that Anne didn't understand.
Federico realized that Anne had felt the connection that he had feel too. He nearly had ran and hugged his little girl. But, he had promised to hold his impulse and waited the right time to really meet Anne, his Ariadnee.
" I need to go to the toilet " Anne said and got up from her chair. She glanced a little to Federico and found the eyes of Federico was being set on her. Anne turned her eyes away and walked out of the canteen.
Anne was walking out, holding her chest. She barely kept the sadness she felt when she saw Mr. Bavard's eyes. There was something bursting in her heart and she felt "connection" between them. She, however, didn't know what it was and was not sure with what she felt.
Anne looked around her. Unconciously, she had arrived the locker room. No one was here. Everybody had lunch in canteen. Anne heard the rain began to fall down. There was strange feeling striking her suddenly because of the silence. Anne made her steps quicker.
Tak.
Anne heard something and stopped her steps . She looked around to check out. But, there was nothing. She was still alone.
" Good, Anne!! Now, you become a paranoid because of silence and rain " Anne mumbled and continued to the restroom..
The restroom was small soft-green room with four caches in row. There was three wastafel faced the caches and a large mirrow on it.
Anne turned on one of the faucets and washed her face. She faced the mirror and exhaled her breath.
" There's something about Mr. Bavard..." Anne bowed her head and put her hands on the wastafel to endure her body.
" Ariadnee....."
Suddenly a whisper blew softly to her ears. Anne raised her head and looked around. " Hallo.."
" Ariadnee...."
Then a hand grabbed her neck and pushed her against the wall. " Ahhkk....."
" Finally, we've found you, Ariadnee..."
Anne looked the one who attacked her. That one was a woman. She was so pale, like some people who were in Anne's dream. She smiled fiercely and tighten her grab. Anne could feel the sharp nails that stuck on her neck and cold flesh that stuck on her flesh. .
" Easy, Claire...." Suddenly a man with black shirt showed up. He sat on the wastafel in reckless style. " She's not our part "
" How....." Anne tried to say something. She wondered how these people came. They just popped in. Anne shuddered. It was hard for her to breathe.
" This weak girl had shattered our kind badly.... I really want to chop her before she reaches her 17 and gets stronger " the woman, called Claire, threatened.
" Riliso...." A splash of blue light struck Claire and made Claire get dragged to the corner of restroom.
Anne saw Dreg and Zack dashed in and spelled some charms that shot to Claire and the man. The man growled angrily and disappeared suddenly followed by Claire. They showed behind Dreg and Zack each and grabbed the neck of Dreg and Zack.
Four of them were brawling in the side to side of the restroom. Anne couldn't help to shudder greatly. She had to move to different sides to get away from the brawl.
Suddenly a hand grabbed Anne from the back. Anne turned around and faced the handsome ovale pale face of Mr.Federico Bavard. " Mr. Bavard..." Anne screamed a little.
Federico set Anne away from the brawl and directly joined the brawl. He pulled the pale man from Dreg and spoke something that Anne hadn't understand.
" Bavard...." The woman, Claire, said in whisper and stepped back a little. Anne could have time to see the fangs in Claire's mouth.
" What the hell...." Anne mumbled in shock.
" Well....well...." The pale man said, smiling crookily " Federico Bavard.... You've been here already. What a surprise! "
Federico just stared challenging. He glanced to Anne who was shuddering badly.
" I guessed she hadn't known what she is..." Claire said, pointing Anne. Claire laughed a little. She made a bat voice in her laughter.
" She will..." Zack said as he threw something silver to the man. The silver thing was a knife that stuck on the left chest of the man.
Seeing what Zack had done, Claire screamed angrily. She gripped the knife and pulled it out. The man turned into black dust and dissapeared.
" Zack ! " Federico held the hand of Zack which had been ready to throw other silver knife to Claire.
" One vampire...one witch " Claire growled angriliy. She stood up and pointed her finger to Federico " You let them kill your own kind, Bavard ! "
" Claire...wait...."
Dreg was to throw other knife when Claire suddenly had been on the neck of Zack and bit his neck.
" Son of bitch !!!! " Dreg stabbed the knife to Claire. But it was too late, Claire had ran away. Zack moved back in weak. He dropped in front of Anne with bleeding neck.
Anne just stared Zack in horror. She closed her mouth with her hand and sobbed.
" YOU!!!! " Dreg pushed federico and dashed toward Zack " Zack...."
" Take him to my room, now ! " Federico commanded and grabbed Anne's arm. He dragged Anne to Auditorium. "Move fast!! The students are gonna start the noon class "
Dreg held Zack on his shoulder and took him slowly to Auditorium. They had to move faster in order to avoid meeting any students.
They directly got into the room in the back of Auditorium. They laid Zack down on the floor and placed shocking Anne on the couch.
" She hadn't had time to bite him. It is only scratch. Take the alcohol in my cabinet "
" If you hadn't prevented me or Zack to kill her, he wouldn't have been bitten " Dreg reprimanded to Federico as he threw a bottle of alcohol to Federico " Now, she will spread the fucking news about you are here, Ariadnee....and us! "
" I just wanted to interogate them. We could have just got information from them " Federico asserted as he cured Zack " Bandage...."
Dreg grabbed it and threw it to Federico. Dreg was still annoyed with Federico. He thought that it would have been better if he had just killed those two vampires.
" Done ! " Federico stood up " No poison... Just a scratch " He turned his head to Anne and smiled gently " Are you okay, dear ? "
Anne looked at Federico in scared. She turned her head to Dreg who exhaled his breath in tired " let me explain, Bavard..."
Federico glanced Dreg unhappy. He had the dislike feeling at Dreg and Zack who didn't have any respect to him. Dreg and Zack considered that their pure witch blood made them more valuable than any race or clan, human or vampire.
" What you have seen was real. Well, you are not reading Twilight or Harry Potter. It was real. Just see Zack..." Dreg explained " I and Zack are witches and Mr. Federico Bavard is a vampire...."
Trying to chew what Dreg was trying to explain, Anne knitted her forehead. " Why those..things...what are they? "
" Vampires....like him....." Dreg nudged his chin to Federico.
Anne turned her head to Federico who seemed tired. " Witches ? Vampires ? What the hell is this?" Anne shook her head and stood up " am I being punked ?" She looked round to make sure.
" Anne...take a look at Zack ! " Dreg said in helpless.
" It's just a dream " Anne still couldn't believe. "Oh my God...I can't believe it. The pale people...the lights....like my dreams..."
" Your dream ? " Federico asked in curious
Anne looked at Federico and nodded " I had some same strange dreams these couple nights...about...people who can pull out some lights from their hands...the pale people....." Anne stopped and stared Federico " ....as pale as you..... And a woman...."
" A woman...?" Federico looked surprised
" Yes.... She guided me to a garden...lots of roses ...she's so beautiful...." Anne explained " I feel relief with her...safe...and affected "
Federico stared at Anne and exhaled. He glanced to Dreg. He knew it was the time to tell the Anne the truth, yet he hadn't known how to tell her.
" Ahhkkk..." Zack groaned
Anne got closed to Zack and helped Dreg to raise him up. Zack had himself sat on the chair.
" Is there any other dreams? " Dreg asked
" No...I don't know....the dreams were so real...I sometimes could feel the grass I treaded on...."
" We need to take you home....." Federico said "Take her to the Parkers. I'll take care of the school...."
Zack and Dreg nodded. Dreg held Zack and helped him to rise. " Let's go, Anne..."
Anne gulped her spittle and looked at Federico. Federico just nodded to convince Anne. Anne knitted her forehead and followed Zack and Dreg in confused.
*****
The Parkers' Home
2 pm
Anne, Federico Bavard, Dreg and zack stepped inside the antique house where Anne had been living for 16 years more. Anne was staggered at once to see the condition she was seeing. When she openned the door, She used to see a nice big table with a vase full with fresh flowers in it. But, this time, she was looking the flowers scattered around with the upside - down big table in front of her. The books which were packed on the shelf along the stairs had been dropped and laid down on the floor.
She directly remembered what she had been through. The terror attacked her. She ran to the living room - on the right of the front door - and found the same condition. All the couches, standing lamps, books, magazines, picture frames and small things which used to be decorated well were scattered around and upside down. There was also the scrap of glasses on the floor. The terror was more rising when Anne saw some blood stain. " MOM!!!! DAD!!! " She ran to the doorway on the right corner to dinning room. The sound of cracking glasses, from the broken picture frame, she treaded on made her more terrified " MOM!!!"
As she passed the doorway and walked into the dining room, she saw her parents along with Mr. Paul Walker, Zack's father, Mr. Greg Youngston, Dreg's father and some strangers, three women and two men, whom she hadn't recognized. Maria Parker was leaning against the fridge and directly came to Anne when she saw her. Robert Parker was standing numbly on the corner. He stared Anne in sorrow.
Paul Walker dashed to Zack when he saw Zack injured. He checked the wound on Zack's neck and exhaled relief. " I'll take him home. Diane knows how to deal with this " he took Zack from Dreg and carried him out. Zack and his father were alike. They had same black hair, suntan skin and big body. They had different colour of eyes. Mr. Walker had black eyes and Zack had blue eyes. He took the blue eyes from his mother, Diane Walker, who was a doctor.
" So, they'd come to the school already " a black man who was bald said in a calm voice
" Yes " Bavard Federico answered " Oleg and Claire Grobart found her.."
" Yeah!!!! We killed the man...Oleg I guessed " Dreg erupted " We could have just killed the bitch...but...Bavard prevented us and it caused Zack got bitten..Thank God it was just fucking scratch !! "
" I wanted to get more information from Claire then I would...kill her " Federico replied in defense
" Really, Bavard? " Dreg said in disbelief tone
Federico stood up and stared Dreg. He looked so upset with Dreg. " Greg, I have great respect on you and Paul. But, I've had it enough with your son and Zack. Well,...Paul can't listen this but I think you can..." Federico said " Make them behave with me "
" Dreg..."
" Dad, we don't know if they still protect their fucking kind or not " Dreg cut his father's word "We're still human..well..not really human...better even...we are still fresh meat for them "
Federico shook his head in helpless. Suddenly a red light flashed in the room. Dreg touched her throat. He wanted to say but no word came out from his mouth. He looked angry. He looked at Federico and the bald man and dashed out.
" Dreg!!! " Greg Youngston yelled out and ran after Dreg. When he was passing Anne, Anne could hear he mumbled about the danger which Dreg could have got if he got out in this condition. No charm could he spelled.
The Dining room became silent. Maria held Anne's hand and rubbed it gently.
" You should have killed Claire, Federico " a skinny woman said. She took a wisp of her straight short-cut blonde hair and put it behind her ear. She shrugged her shoulder and got closer to a man looked like 17 years old boy. That boyish looked boy held the hand of the woman." Now, she must have spread the information about Ariadnee...."
Federico exhaled his breath and closed his face with his hands " I'm sorry. I just thought...." He didn't continue his sentence. He just raised his hands showing he had been despaired.
No one spoke. Everybody was drowning in their own mind. Then a woman with a short-wave brown hair got closer to Anne. Her V neck t-shirt showed her butterfly tattoo on her neck. She looked more human for Anne as her skin was reddish. She smiled " It had been a long time not to see you, Ariadnee "
Anne just stared the woman confused. She glanced Maria. Maria held Anne's arm tighter. Anne touched Maria's hand holding her arm. She turned her glance to Robert and found him staring at her. He smiled a little.
" I think I ought to introduce my self and my friends to you..." The more human-alike woman continued talking " I am Keyra Cornwell. And the bald man is Robert Patt. Next to him...is his wife, Annatasya Patt..."
A black skin with shoulder long straight black hair woman came closer to Anne. Smiling, she reached Anne's hand " Nice to meet you...."
Suprised by the cold she got when she touched the skin of Annatasya, Anne reflected pulled her hand " Nice to meet you, too "
Annatasya smiled understanding " Nice to feel the warmth " then she returned to Robert Patt.
" I am Dimitri. Dimitri Yardlord... Nice to see you again, Ariadnee " a straight short - cut blonde hair man said " And this is my wife, Claudia" the straight short-cut blonde hair woman beside him smiled.
Anne responded all the introduction flat. She stared the faces of those people confused.
" Yes " Suddenly Annatasya stood beside her and spoke gently in her ear " We are Vampires...but Keyra isn't . She is a witch "
Anne jerked away from Annatasya. She looked terrified " How could...."
" She can read your mind " Federico explained
Annatasya smiled. " You will find out, dear. Very soon..."
Anne shook her head in confused. " Who did this? " She asked slowly, turning her head to the living room.
" Well.... Some vampires.....they've got your track " Robbert Patt answered " We had made enough attempt to put you in secure but....as you've grown up and you are almost seventeen, it is not easy to shield your aura....They can smeel it then track it...."
Anne knitted her forehead. She was getting more confused " Why Vampires are after me ? Afterall, can they show up in the middle of the...day?"
Federico smiled " Remember my class. It's dark. I've shielded it with the black curtains. So, no Sunshine comes to the class. Today, they could attack you in the middle of the day... Because it's raining. No Sunshine. Dark "
" Why Vampires wanna catch me? "
Federico exhaled his breath. " So long explanation....." He added " We can't explain to you but...something can explain to you..."
" Something ? "
Keyra approached Anne and stretched her left hand to the front of Anne's face. She openned the palm and mumbled something like emerjo. A blue light, a ball-size, arose and adrifted on her palm. " This is the something...."
Anne looked at the blue light ball astonished.
" What is this? "
" The light of your mother's memories "
Anne turned her head to Maria Parker " Your memories ?"
Maria was staggered. She bit her lips and walked backward surreptitiously. She held the chair near to her and used it to keep her stand. Robert Parker directly approached Maria.
" Mom? " Anne demanded.
Keyra closed her palm and the blue light ball disappeared.
" Mom ..? Dad...?" Anne demanded. She was scared seeing her mother and her father nervous.
Robert Parker exhaled his breath. "Anne....we.. How I...we...explain...." He spoke in shaking "When you were infant...they came bringing you... And they asked us to look after you... We..."
" But we do love you...." Maria Parker cut Robert Parker's word. She was wincing, trying not to cry. She approached Anne and touched her hand. Anne, however, step backward and averted Maria's hand scarcely.
" What is this? " She said, almost whispering "Vampires came attacking me... Witch thing....and I am the fostered child..." She shook her head "What next? I am a vampire? A witch ? "
No one responded. They just stared Anne.
" I can't believe this " Anne mumbled. She move backward slowly. Then she turned around and walked to the front door.
" What are you doing ? Where you're gonna go ? " Federico snatched Anne's hand " They can track you ! "
" Let me off, Mr. Bavard " Anne screamed and jerked her hand off from Federico's grip.
" It's dangerous outside!!" Federico demonished of Anne " it's cloud and dark outside! They can just track you and catch you.... The witch... The shield covering you have been thinner. You are insecure....."
" Move off, you freaking teacher !" Anne pushed away Federico. She was so confused and angry. She just wanted to get away from her house. She still didn't believe what had happened even though she had watched the weird things with her own eyes.
Federico moved backward. He looks so tired and helpless. " I'm sorry... You must be confused "
" You came to the school in purpose...."
" Yes, to meet you. To protect you " Federico explained slowly " I've been watching you... From you were a child. Now, you're gonna seventeen... The shield is thinner. The witches... The vampires ..who chase after you, now, can easily get you...."
" Why? Why they are after me? "
" The recollection of your mom's memories can explain better that I do .... "
Anne turned her head back to Maria Parker who was sobbing on Robert Parker's chest.
" I'm sorry to say... Mrs. Maria Parker is not your...well..she is your mother, the one who has looked after you well for this long, but she is not your real mother..." Keyra said slowly
Anne stared Keyra confusedly. " This is crazy..." Anne shook her head and turned around. She walked to the front door..
" Federico, we can't let her to be alone now. In this situation...they're gonna catch her...." Claudia said as she was staring Anne had reached the front door.
" Just follow her... " Federico commanded. He understood with the reaction Anne had given. Anne must have been very confused. All her life seemed to turn around to be something which she didn't understand.
*****
The Corner Cafe
5 pm
Anne took a seat at the corner of the The Corner Cafe. The Corner Cafe was the cafe where the teenagers in Anne's city used to hang out at. It was named The Corner Cafe because it was on the corner of the intersection. It was designed minimalist with the row of the chair which was placed face to face forming letter L.
Anne looked around. The cafe was nearly empty. It could have been caused of the rain which was getting heavier. There was only one man sitting in the other corner. Anne closed her face desperated. She ignored her condition, wet.
" Hey Parker, you look so mess " Gloria Leigh, the waitress, greeted her. She stared sympaticly. Gloria Leigh was Anne's schoolmate. She used to do part time job for living and school fee as she was an orphan. Anne barely interacted with Gloria, however, she liked Gloria for her indifference.
" Yeah..."
" You're wet...." She said in sympatic whisper. She tied up her kinky black hair into ponytail. She put the coffee pot and took off her wool sweater "for your warmth...."
Anne stared Gloria and took the sweater "Thanks...." She gratituted and put on the sweater on her wet black short sleeve T-shirt.
Gloria flicked her finger to her friend at the bar and gesture a mug " And... Here is your coffee milk. Special for you. On my buck..." She pour the coffee milk in to the mug " Enjoy it..." Then Gloria left Anne alone for the pantry.
Anne looked at the coffee milk and sipped it a little. She took out her mobile phone and dialed Larry.
" Anne....? Where are you ? " Larry directly shot Anne with the questions " You didn't return to canteen... I waited after school you didn't show up. I came to your house...Your mom told me you've not come home. Hei...your mother looked so mess...Anne, hallo? "
" Larry, can you meet me in the corner cafe? "
" Sure. You're there?"
" Can I borrow Cellia's clothes? I'm wet "
" Wet? You've got caught into the rain, honey?"
" Yeah. Just come here.. I'm waiting "
" Okay ..."
It was almost a half an hour when Anne saw Larry coming it through the window. He held plastic bag contained the clothes Anne asked. He sweeped the Cafe then stopped when he saw Anne sitting alone in the corner. He dashed toward Anne and took the seat next to Anne.
" Honey, you are soaked... Don't you feel cold? "
Anne didn't answer. She hugged Larry tight. She had been confused with the attack and the story behind it. She was more confused when she didn't feel any cold eventhough she was so wet.
" You're cold...."
" I'll change the clothes, first "
Larry nodded his head. A couple minutes later, Anne got out in a blue white stripped shirt and a pair of black jeans. She had asked Larry to bring Cellia's clothes. Cellia was Larry's sister. She was a year younger than Anne. She looked like Larry in female form. Anne and Cellia were close enough. Cellia always supported his brother's relationship with Anne.
" Gloria, thanks for your sweater " Anne said and gave Gloria's sweater " I'm sorry it's little damp...."
Gloria smiled " Never mind "
Anne was about to return to Larry when suddenly Gloria snatched her hand and jerked Anne aside. Anne saw a flash of red light passed right in front of her face. Anne turned her head to the attack came from. It was two men in the brown coats whose hand was toward her.
" Hey!! " Larry darted and got up to reach Anne.
" Trouwus !!" One of the men said a charm to Larry and made Larry flown back and hit some chairs and tables.
" Larry !!! "
" Draggious Ariadnee " Anne got herself dragged toward to the men. They directly grabbed Anne "Vaenius!!" Anne and those two men disappeared.
Larry lay down on the floor numbly. He stared at the place where Anne got lost. He still didn't believe what had happened.
" Gloria! What's going on? " The friend of Gloria who was in the kitchen, dashed into the room and got supprised by the mess she saw. " Oh my God..."
Gloria ran to Larry and and helped to stand. She ignored her friend's question as she was still surprised with what had happened. " Are you okay?"
" Yes..." Larry answered then turned his head to the hand which touched his shoulder. A blonde hair woman stood beside him and smiled. Larry was to ask how she could be beside him as he didn't see anyone a minute ago; however, he suddenly felt his mind clear and turned to white.
" Hi...."
" Hi... " Larry looked around and felt confused as he saw that he was in the corner cafe. He remembered that he was at his room, waiting for any information about Anne. He stared the woman who was standing beside him.
" Do you still want to order or what? " She asked, motioning Larry to the counter.
" Order? " Larry said in confused and turned his head to the counter. Gloria was smiling and asking Larry to get closer. Larry got closer in confused. " Ehm...a sandwich and coffee, please "
" Okay!! Right away " Gloria answered and wrote his order and sent it to the kitchen.
Larry stood dumbfounded. He felt something missing but he didn't know what it was. He turned to the blonde woman but she had been gone. Larry looked around the cafe. He still couldn't find the woman. She was just disappearing.
*****