I met with Rose outside the cafe as the sun had come up.
"Hey." I said as she unlocked the door.
"Hey, did you need Tuesday off?" She asked as we walked in.
"Yeah, maintenance guy is coming to fix my thermostat. It's been stuck on low for the last few weeks and it's freezing me out." I turned on the light.
"What about your classes?" She asked as we put down chairs.
"As long as he's gone before 4:30. I told my professor just in case," I responded.
We turned on all the machines, checking off our list task by task.
Jesse joined us in the cafe, much to my surprise. He locked the door behind him, as we still had time before open.
He began wiping down the tables, barely paying us any mind.
I glanced at my sister in confusion, considering the fact he had been fired the day prior. She shrugged and I just shook my head. I hadn't even spoken to her about him, but I guessed he'd convinced her to give him another chance.
She went back in the storage closet while I helped Jesse finish setting up for opening.
"Not fired anymore, huh?"
He sighed with an empty smile.
"Thank God."
I smiled back, offering my support.
Rose finished whatever she'd been doing in the backroom and came out to the front. I looked down in thought for a mere moment going back into "work mode".
"Do you have an extra apron? I seem to have misplaced-"
My words paused as I swung my head up, seeing a familiar face through the glass.
Suddenly, a wave of memories washed over me.
I saw the woman, absolute terror in her eyes. And the blood on this familiar face, smeared and accompanied by hungry eyes. I shuddered, walking backwards towards the counter.
As I propped myself up, I recounted the crunching of the woman's knees crashing against the pavement. I could hear the blood in my head as I spiraled into my fear.
How could I forget? I didn't even call the police.
And here he was, in front of the store, as if nothing happened.
A new memory came back to me as I recounted his face through the car window. He did catch up to me. How could I not remember?
As if without a care, Rose approached the door, unlocking it. I was completely still, unsure if I was able to say something.
Jesse took note of my sudden change, whispering to me, but I wasn't listening to a word he said. I couldn't, my eyes and ears remained glued to the sight ahead.
"Will you stop coming by here? We're not even open yet." She said.
"Can I come in?" He asked, walking in before she answered. She sighed and locked the door behind him.
I tried to move back further, or to make myself invisible. I was sure the panic was evident on my face as my head began to pound.
He was...eating her...
He began to speak before she had even turned back to face him.
"Carson has another offer-"
"Not interested. Is that all?" She had no qualms about cutting him off.
I could barely focus on their quarreling. He made me feel dizzy, hazy, his presence consuming the atmosphere of the room.
This disgusting man, this criminal, was barely paying me any attention. But I remembered.
"Well, really, I'm here to see your sister."
I blinked out of my trance. What did he just say?
"Don't mess with Blair, Ian." Rose always sounded so absolute. She had taken the words out of my mouth.
My chest tightened once more, the same as the night before. A new, sickening feeling took hold on my body. Everything inside me told me to take my sister and run. I reached for my phone. If I could call the cops, if I could just get away.
And say what? What would I tell them?
No, instead, I began to plot an escape route. If I could get Rose and Jesse to follow me, the back door was an option.
I glanced to Jesse, who was looking at me with an unreadable expression in his face. He seemed confused, but something in his eyes was like he understood.
"I only want to talk," Ian responded confidently. I didn't dare look up at him, instead, I swallowed hard as I reached for the edge of Rose's apron.
From my peripheral, I noticed his dark, thick brows creased down and a sly smile on his lips. I tried hard not to hold my breath.
"Rose, Jesse..." I whispered, finally clenching onto her apron.
She twisted around in surprise, but before she could question me, she saw the serious look in my eyes. She sighed, and without another second of hesitation, began to speak again.
"We're a bit busy right now. Why don't you come back later, Ian?" She said politely, still keeping eye contact with me.
Within seconds, Ian was uncomfortably close, raising his hand. My breath caught in my throat as he tapped a single finger on Rose's head, causing her eyes to roll back.
She fell to the ground with a thump, and I scrambled to catch her. I was going to drag her away from him if I must.
Jesse lunged toward her, trying to lift her off of the ground. His brows creased in anger as he glared up at the menacing man in front of us.
Quicker than my eyes could follow, Ian darted in between us, prying Jesse away and letting Rose hit the floor without remorse.
Jesse was flung over to the side of the cafe, groaning as he hit the floor.
I looked over to Rose, and then Jesse, wanting to help them, but Ian kept me firmly pressed against the counter.
"I had a feeling you were going to remember the moment you saw me again. Let's fix that, shall we?"
His breath hit my face, and I felt the aura again, consuming the air around us. But I resisted the affect, feeling that if I didn't, it would incapacitate me.
I saw Jesse move from behind, but only to stir a little. I struggled as he pressed me against the counter, trying to pull my arms free.
He opened his mouth to reveal two shiny, sharp canines, his creepy smile to accompany them.
I focused on the snake-like pupils turning to slits in his eyes.
The sight made me want to freeze under his grasp, but my sleepless brain was somehow able to escape his influence. Finally, I freed my hands.
"Get... away from me!" I shouted, lifting my hands to his chest and clenching my eyes shut. I felt him move from in front of me and heard a crash a few feet ahead.
When I opened my eyes, I saw him flush against the ground in front of the door, which was now in pieces around him. Rose stirred, but I remained still in shock, a similar expression to his, I'm sure.
Tiny shards of glass were coated in the red from him, his tall form seeming small now. His eyes were wide, almost as if he was now scared, but I was the terrified one.
Did I do that?
He waited only a moment before running from the doorway, almost seeming to faze with his otherworldly speed. He disappeared down the block in a matter of seconds.
I took a deep breath, feeling my body shake and tingle, like electricity buzzing from inside to my fingertips. I studied my hands, swearing I could see ripples of energy pouring from them.
Jesse and I made eye contact, and though I expected to see surprise, he seemed unfazed. He pushed himself up and put his index finger to his lips. I furrowed my eyebrows, but said nothing.
I hadn't even noticed Rose had regained consciousness until she swore under her breath, reviewing the damage of the door.
"Call the police."