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I reached for the utensils and tried to control my hunger and pace myself as I ate the hot breakfast before me.

It had been days since I had a hot meal, or any real meal, for that matter.

I’d been surviving off scraps in the street and leftovers people frequently tossed away into the trash.

The glorious life of being a vagrant. Always on the run and always searching for my next stop to crash.

I had spent years adapting to my current lifestyle.

It was the only choice I had and the only way to keep away from my dark past and its demons.

But I couldn’t stop. Not for long… Never for long.

I never dared to remain in one place more than I should.

It was too risky. He would find me… He always did seem to catch up, no matter how hard I tried to escape him.

Whether it was the next day or years later, he always found me.

Like a shadow sewn to the soles of my feet, I could never fully escape him.

And the longer I sat here, the closer he got.

I needed to finish this plate and get out of town.

I needed a new stop. The only problem was, I never knew where the next stop was. And I didn’t now.

The smell of cigarette smoke and coffee mixed with the static sound of music playing from the counter and filled the old diner.

The whole atmosphere was nostalgic and homey, comforting everyone who stepped inside, including myself.

If it wasn’t for the waitress’ judgy looks and underbreath scoffs, I’d almost feel welcomed.

Almost. I knew I didn’t fit in visually with the normal expectations of someone my age, but I didn’t care.

Life was too short to blend in, aside from the needed camouflage for survival.

A lesson I learned long ago. A new wave of smells from my food flooded my nostrils.

Forget everything for a moment. It’s time to feast . And I did.

My utensils clanked against the cleared plate as I finished the hot breakfast, feeling stuffed.

The old waitress finally returned with my coffee, a bit too late.

“Here’s your coffee. Oh, someone must’ve been hungry.

” She looked me up and down blatantly judging me.

It probably didn’t help that I was dressed in old, dirty and baggy sweats with a cropped hoodie that left my heavily tattooed hands and midriff fully exposed.

Her dark irises traveled up and down my body as they took in my appearance.

She grunted in a loud tone of disapproval.

I knew my overly pierced ears and two-toned striped hair didn't help with my rebellious appearance, even though they were tucked beneath my hood. “By the looks of you, I’d say you’ve been hungry for some time.

And nothing but a handful of trouble.” She popped her gum and slapped a small receipt onto the table.

“Leave the cash on the table when you’re done.

And don’t go stealing anything. We don’t need any problems from someone like you happening around these parts.

” The waitress scowled before she trotted off towards the kitchen with her nose high.

Someone like me, huh?

“Judgy old bitch,” I muttered under my breath before I snatched the receipt.

“Why don’t you go pop a mint and finish drawing in your eyebrow,” I scoffed.

I pulled the last bit of cash and change from my pocket and quickly realized I didn’t have enough to cover my meal.

I couldn’t even afford the one cup of coffee I had. “Shit.”

Just my fucking luck. My body slunk back in a heavy sigh. Now what?

I drank the hot coffee and observed the many older faces in the diner as they drank their coffee and ate their meals.

They were all unbothered and living such careless and free lives, untainted by their dark pasts.

Must be nice to be able to do as you please and not constantly look over your shoulder.

They were all lucky. So fucking lucky. I think I almost envied them and their basic, normal, boring lives.

Something I used to hate so much. Ironic.

An older man sitting behind me bumped the back of the shared booth seat as he scooted from it.

My coffee lightly spilled. “Hey!” I turned to see him toss a wad of small bills down and drop a folded newspaper.

He then wiped his mouth and threw the used napkin down as he placed a small hat onto his bald head and flashed me a smile.

I watched him scuffle to the front doors of the diner and waited until he had left before eyeing the cash and newspaper.

I could easily take the money and scram, but there was something I needed to do first.

I reached over the booth and gripped the folded paper when my eyes locked with the waitress’ from across the diner. She glared back at me as if she’d caught me committing a crime. I flicked my wrist and made a face as I showed her it was only the newspaper.

Not stealing, bitch.

The old woman scowled, and I rolled my eyes while she returned her focus to the table in front of her. I returned to my seat and I opened the worn paper.

Now, where are you?

I scanned through the worn black and white pages, only to stop and read a few random articles along the way.

“Focus. You need to find it.” I flipped the page and finally found what I was looking for.

“There you are.” My fingers ran along the obituaries as I quietly read the many names aloud to myself.

“Mary-Anne, beloved mother and grandmother… No. Too old. What else? Juniper—oh, now that’s a pretty name.

But let’s just see if there’s anything else worth considering.

Hmm. Joshua, William, JoAnne Flowers? Oh, that’s a mouthful.

Jinx, now that’s different. No. No. Not that one.

Hmm. Wait. Aster Finch, daughter of... Oh, she was old.

Aster. Now, that is a really unique name.

Not one you would hear too often.” I smiled at the old woman’s picture, wondering how her life must’ve been.

“Aster. I like that.” I flipped the page and froze.

My smile immediately dropped as I read the bold article title to myself.

String of Arsons Land Close to Home. The color of my face drained, and I continued to read, despite the growing fear in my stomach.

“Home fires have spread from the East Coast to the West, seemingly connected, as investigators noticed similarities. These string of fire engulfed, gruesome murders began with the tragic death of the Batista family—” I gasped at the photo printed on the page. Their faces… His face.

No. No, no, no, no, no! I felt sick.

My hands crumpled the newspaper, and I tossed it across the diner table. “No,” I whispered as I sank my head into my hands. My heart began to race. It pounded against my chest as my breathing echoed the rapid rhythm.

Why did they have to say their names? Why did they have to print their picture? Why? Fuck! Breathe. Breathe dammit! Screams echoed in my mind as the smell of smoke hung in the air. No. No!

“Everything okay?” My head snapped up to see the same damn waitress back again. Did she have nothing else better to do than to fucking bug me?

I wiped my eyes and forced yet another fake smile. “Yes, just drank the coffee too fast.” She popped her gum again and nodded before moving past me to the next booth.

“Fuck,” I exhaled. “You’re okay,” I whispered.

Just focus. He can’t hurt you, not here. And the past is so far away. Don’t think about it. It’s not your fault. You didn’t know. Breathe.

A calm weight pressed against my shoulders. My breathing and heartbeat slowed and returned to normal as I shook the negative feelings away. I had more to investigate in the damned newspaper. And I needed to hurry. I was wasting time.

Just ignore that article and do what you have to do.

I reached across the table and carefully unfolded the newspaper before quickly moving past the same specific article. A chill ran up my spine, but I ignored it. My hand flicked through the remaining pages until I found what I was looking for.

Ah, there you are. My way out of here. Now, which one?

The classifieds had many listings for various jobs ranging from gas station attendants to babysitters and more.

I skimmed the ads and searched for something more…

Well, me . Something that was away from prying and wandering eyes, where I could exist for a brief moment, until I had to move on.

The only problem was I was extremely short on cash and needed something now .

My fingertip grazed the printed letters while I read over each listing and drank the rest of my bitter coffee.

“Pet sitter? No. In-home assistance for elderly needed—Hell no. Waitress wanted—” I glanced up to see the old woman smoking in the corner of the diner while still chewing her gum.

“Never.” I continued to look over the ads.

“No. No. No. Wait.” I stopped at the unique listing.

“Young adult camp counselors needed for the summer. Only six spots available.” Interesting.

I drank my coffee some more and kept reading the details.

“Room and board provided for all approved applicants as well as weekly pay. Immediate availability needed, call to apply. Oh, perfect.” I glanced around before I carefully ripped the small section of the page and stuffed it in my pocket.

There was no time to waste. Summer began in just a few days and if I wanted even a chance at this job, I needed to hurry.