Hello, wonderful people! I do have to say that I'm excited about the next few chapters. Just saying. They probably would all be uploaded by now if it wasn't for my newfound determination to learn the entire Hamilton track on piano...
Aaaanyways as always y'all have done AMAZING at voting and commenting and even following! Keep it up!
The picture for this chapter is a man named Remmy, who you will meet. (Yes, you're welcome Harry Potter fans :))
I have a question for future chapters - would you like to see songs attached to each update/chapter? I was thinking about putting them in, but I wasn't sure anyone would listen. I've put one in this chapter and have a few I can put in previous ones. Let me know!
Also another question. Would you all prefer shorter, more frequent updates? Or longer, less frequent? (We're talking either a few days in between or a week or so in between.)
Love you all!
Mquistey
***
I opened the wooden door and a bell rang above my head, signaling my entrance.My head was still pounding from the encounter with Samuel, but I pushed it to the back of my mind. I wouldn't make any more mistakes. Quickly looking around, I noticed there weren't too many people inside the restaurant today. I sighed. At least something was on my side.
I quickly darted to the edge of the room, avoiding the circular tables that were normally filled with varying cheap meals. I dropped my sack in a corner next to the checkout counter, praying no one would get curious. Once I reached the back room, I quickly clocked in and headed to the washing station. I greeted my co-workers as I walked by, though there were only a few of us.
My head was bent low, and I began to cough. It was small and I pretended I was trying to hide it. Of course, people still took notice. They shot me glances varying from worried to annoyed. I paid them no mind though, and finished the short walk to my station. I prayed I would see my boss on the way over so I wouldn't have to work for too long.
Sure enough, as I was opening the door to the back room, a tall, old, and lanky man appeared in my vision. I looked up to meet his face, noting his look of concern. I smiled to myself. He was one of the good ones.
"Samantha, what are you doing?" His voice was a surprisingly low tone, but I was used to it by now.
"Going to wash dishes?"
His wrinkled features became more defined as he frowned. "I heard that you were coughing. Now that I'm seeing you, you don't look very chipper." His mustache followed his words, angling down at the end of the sentence.
I sighed. Maybe fighting with Samuel had been an advantage. I didn't have to fake being shaken up.
"Word travels fast here," I smiled lightly. "But, I'm fine. I think it's just allergies."
"Allergies don't attribute to the pale and clammy skin." He gestured to my frame.
I was startled, but looked to my hands. Sure enough, I was pale and sweating. For the first and last time in my life, I silently thanked Samuel. I wasn't going to have to fake very much.
My gaze traveled the room as I thought of what else to say, but it landed on my coworkers who were now watching the scene play out before them. Usually, no one wanted to be sent home, so they were anxious to see if our boss would actually do it. For many, a day without work was a day without food.
I pretended to hold back a cough. "Really, I'm fine. I won't bother anyone."
I had to put up a good fight, though I knew he would send me away. We all did. However, if I acted like I wanted to leave, or got too anxious, he would know something was up.
"Really, Samantha, you're not. I can't have you getting the customers sick."
I looked into his crows feet eyes, lowering my voice so the others couldn't hear me. "Please, Remmy," I pleaded, sounding desperate.
He looked away and seemed to debate for a moment. I would have been worried, but I knew what Remmy would ultimately do. He wouldn't risk his business.
"I can't risk you spreading your sickness to anything." He stressed the 'anything,' referring to more than just the people that came to his restaurant. Though they didn't publicly reveal themselves, if you were paying attention it wasn't hard to spot a werewolf.
I sighed, choking on my words. "I understand. I'll go."
Remmy patted me on the back with his unusually large hands before leading me to the front of the building. I stopped outside the kitchen doors and went to shake his hand, but he pulled me into a hug. I froze momentarily, before reluctantly hugging him back.
He whispered softly into my ear. "Good luck, Samantha."
I pulled away immediately, shock and fear lining my features. He glanced around, patting my shoulder once more. When he saw no one in earshot, he smiled and again spoke softly.
"You know, not everyone gets the chance you do. I tried, but they told me I was too high of a risk to go missing. But, I was able to convince them to take you."
I stared at him, dumbfounded. I'd found someone to take me across the border months ago, but when I stated my case they refused me. I never heard from them, or anyone like them, again. I was heartbroken. I couldn't understand why they would refuse me. A month went by and I 'd almost given up until one night I returned home late. I found a hastily written note with a date, time, and place. I could only assume it was them, but I could never figure out what changed their minds. Now, here it was, standing in front of me.
"You-what? How?" My voice stuttered.
He smiled warmly. "Well after they told me 'no,' and they saw I wasn't going to go crazy on them, they sort of included me on a few things going on around here. You were one of them."
I couldn't find the words to speak. This man, who I had worked under for at least three years, was a complete mystery.
He ignored my blank look, speaking faster now. "Samantha, just be careful. If Emily and the kids could go, I'd send them with you in a heartbeat. But, I know they wouldn't make it. It's not easy out there," He grimaced. "Things have changed. But, I know you're smart. You just have to remember to be smart. Now, do you have all the supplies you need?"
I nodded, but he could see my hesitation. "I have a bit. I had to give most of what I have to the hospital."
"Do you have enough for their payment?"
My heart stopped. Mistake number two. "Payment?"
Remmy's eyes widened. "Yes, the payment. They don't exactly do this for free."
"I hadn't even thought of that," I started. My mind was racing, trying to calculate how much I could spare. It wouldn't be enough for any form of payment. "H-how much do they want?"
Remmy looked my small frame up and down, biting his cheek. "Wait here."
I watched Remmy's tall frame disappear. His black hair was pulled into a ponytail at the base of his head, and it swung as he rushed off. Not too much time passed before he was back in front of me, holding a grocery sack of something. I peered inside, taken aback by the amount of food a single plastic bag could hold.
"This was what I was saving up. I don't need it anymore."
He thrust the bag into my hand, not letting me refuse him. My gaze moved between the bag and Remmy, eyes wide.
"Sir, I can't take this," I began. I tried putting it back in his hands, but they were placed firmly on his hips.
He cut me off. "You can and you will. Now, you need to get going and I have to get back. Do you have something to carry that in?"
I nodded slowly, my mind trying to catch up with the situation.
"Good. Don't be late tonight. They won't wait for you."
Before I could breathe another word, Remmy began pushing me out the door. When his hands left my back I turned around to thank him, but he was already gone.
I stood in place and gawked again and the supplies he'd given me. However, I soon felt a gaze on my back. I turned around and met curious onlookers, all of whom were sitting at various tables. I silently swore to myself, glancing at the clock above the door. I'd spent too much time in there.
Rushing past the suspicious glances, I grabbed my sack from the corner and headed out the door. The bell rang once more, welcoming me into the fresh air.
***
OK, ALSO GUYS WE ARE PAST 3,000 READS AND #416 IN WEREWOLVES. WHAT WHAT! (Seriously just excited cause I didn't think anyone would read this thing in the first place...)
That's all.
Next update should be pretty soon. I just have to plan it...and write it...and edit it...and post it....