Haunting Past (Closed to BRIGHTWELL)

[AlwaysFaithful]

Her eyes opened slowly, dawn light flickering through the curtains. Sighing, Katherine Doyle sat up, rubbing her hands over her face. She'd been living here for a few months now, in this tiny town of Dutton, South Dakota. She stood, and with her massive dog stood up, tail wagging. "Morning, Romeo." She murmured, petting the wolf hybrid. Walking into the bathroom, Kat eyed herself, thinking for the hundredth time, she looked wrong. Her hair was black now, not it's natural mahogany color. Her eyes were green now, thanks to colored contact lenses, not the ghostly grey they were suppose to be. But she was still her usual height and weight, 5'6" an athletic 120 pounds. Her skin was still it's natural gold dust color, due to a native American heritage. Showering and dressing in a pair of jeans and a long sleeve green shirt. Kat headed downstairs.

She'd bought this cabin from the bank after the previous owner, an elderly man had passed away. It's exactly what she needed, a little two story cabin on the edge of town, plenty of forest surrounding her. With her gun at her hip, she grabbed an apple off the counter, slid on her boots and walked outside. "Let's walk." She murmured. Together her and her wolf mix hiked for the next several hours. She was getting tired of being on the run, but at this point, the 29 year old didn't think it was ever going to change. So for now, she'd be happy that she'd been able to stay here for the last few months and if she was lucky she'd have a few more months here before she was found and would have to move again.

After the hike they returned and Kat grabbed herself some breakfast and sat on the porch. She was still acclimating to life here, she was known as Caitlyn O'Malley, a woman with an unknown past who came into town only once a week, never talked more than she had to, always paid in cash and kept to herself. Sighing, Kat shook her head, finishing her breakfast and just taking a few minutes to sit on the porch, Romeo napping at her feet.

 

[BRIGHTWELL]

Dutton, South Dakota

Mike Futures leaned on the fender of his battered Ford. He tapped out an out of state cigarette from the pack. He swore for the millionth time, he was going to quit. It just never seemed to happen. Mike had been on the road for two days. He was hungry and tired, but more then anything else he was road wary. He pulled over to clear the cobwebs from his mind. And to look at something besides the endless ribbon of concrete he had driven through. It was a sorely need break.

He was on a county road that ran next to a small lake. He had parked under a tree to keep the sun off his face, now the sun was fading and casting shadows across the green carpet of grass that laid out in front of him. A breeze off the lake gave him a chill. And he starts to look around. He straightens himself up and walks over to lake edge to take a look at the water. He notices a small oil slick riding on the ripples that are caused by the breeze.

After a while, he realizes that it is almost dusk and the new found darkness is surrounding him like a cloak. Soon he would be able to see only the darkness. All he hears is the lapping of the water around his side of the lake. He turns and heads back to his car and crushes his cigarette with his shoe on the ground near his Ford. He walks up to the car door, but resists opening it. He crosses his arms a places his chin on the intertwined fingers and leans on the roof of the car.

Soon the darkness is upon him. Mike has yet to move from his temporary lakeside camp. He watches as the moon starts to cast a silvery glow over the landscape. His thought are interrupted by a splash of light that cut through the darkness at the far end of the grassy field. The sound of music echoes just for second off the trees.

He had found civilization after all and it took the darkness to clue him in. Isn't that the way it goes some times. He thinks.
He lifts himself off the roof of the car, and slowly walks toward the light he had seen from the lake. As he gets closer, he hears the music much clearer now and there is neon light blinking. Bringing attention to the place. The LAKE SIDE B & G.
The sign says.
Welcome to DUTTON

Mike smiles as he opens the front door and walks in.

 

[AlwaysFaithful]

Katherine grabbed her leather jacket and wallet from inside. "Romeo. Wait." She left the hybrid on the porch as she went to her Chevy Tahoe, driving it into town to do her shopping. She had her gun at her hip, she knew it made some towns people nervous, based on the looks she got. But those weren't a concern of hers. At the store she did her shopping quickly and within a half hour was driving back to her home. Parking back in front of her cabin she got out, carrying her groceries in, as she passed she murmured for Romeo to follow her.

Katherine took her time, putting everything in it's correct place and making sure everything was neat and tidy. Once that was finished she went downstairs ot her home gym, putting in about an hour there, giving herself a nice long workout. She showered up, enjoying the hot water on her now pleasantly aching muscles. Dressing again, sliding her holster onto her belt, she slid on her shoes and left the house with Romeo for their evening walk. Out into the woods about three miles, and back again. It was a nice long, relaxing walk for both of them. Despite being a good percent wolf, Romeo never wandered out of sight, he was bonded to Kat for a reason she didn't truly understand, but willingly accepted. His presence had kept her safe more times than she could count.

The sun was just starting to set and Kat knew it was time to get back. She made a point to never be out after dark. Mostly because she felt to vulnerable not being able to see her surroundings. So with a whistle she turned, Romeo loping to catch up with the direction change. There was still time until it was fully dark, Kat knew that she'd make it home and wouldn't have to hurry.

It was pretty close to dark by the time they got back. Once inside, kat set up about flipping the three locks then the dead bolt and finally the safety chain. Heading into the living room she started up her laptop and curled up on the recliner.

 

[BRIGHTWELL]

What a hole in the wall this is. To be fair it was not that bad. Road side joint like this one take on a life of there own. This one had some of the same signs that many road side bar and grills have. Fight poster, beer adds and smoke filled. Not all places observed the new clean air acts passed by many state houses.

Mike looks around, he wondered if the locals are always this surly. The place is strangely subdued. The music is pounding out some old 80's hits that Mike recalls were really popular back then. Maybe this place was locked back in that frame of mind.

Mike found a booth and slid in. The fake brown leather is tacky. What a surprise. The table is clean. The menu cover is old. He guesses it about 25 years old. That got him thinking.

He reaches over and pulls a menu from its holder. Opens the cover and looks over his options. The names are the same only the prices have been changed. They have been serving the same thing since....1983. Mike sees the date on the back.

A tall thin waiteress ambles over to the table."What'll it be,sugar?"
Mike looks up at her. "Ah no sugar tonight, how about a meat and potatos?"
"I'm Doris, I'm your server tonight, cash or credit, no checks, no free food, no handouts, no food stamps, pay before you leave.

Mike looks back at the menu. This one must of run away from home. Mike thinks. "Doris number 4 sounds delightful. And a beer."
Doris writes scratches away. "You want some bread with that?

"Doris that would be a beautiful thing, fresh if you got it." Mike adds slipping his face down below the menu and smurks.

Doris walks back to counter and calls out. Hey stupid, the guy at number 7 whats your dead meat platter with that puke sauce, seven day old potatos and that brick you call bread, and.....please can we have it before the next ice age!

Mike shakes his head and smile...nice place!