Chapter 2: Chapter 2

She groaned in pain as her arm burned yet again. Rolling onto her back, she pulled her arm up to get the weight off the burning arm. Her blue orbs were fixated on the glowing mark.

She would never get used to this pain. The burn increased as the days go by.

She sighed as the thought crossed her mind.

Kathy switched off the lamp as the light was beginning to bother her. She always loved the dark ’cause when it got dark she could no longer see the evil that she was cursed with.

Her mum called it unique but she saw it as a curse. She recalled her life as a kid, always having to hide and take a lot of precautions. Swimming, camping, and every other thing kids did were prohibited.

She climbed down from her queen size bed, her feet brushing against the soft black carpet as she sauntered to the bathroom.

Pulling off her clothes, she stood naked in front of the huge wall mirror. Dark blue orbs stared right at her. Her eyes were the weirdest part of her. They were the darkest shade of blue with tiny crystals floating in them. She would always tell people that she wore contact lenses.

She pushed back a stray strand of black hair trying to creep into her eyes. She knew how beautiful she was. Light skin, plump red pouty lips, with a petite figure that never failed to draw attention to her. Round perky breasts with a slim yet curvy figure, she sure was blessed with a nice body. However, beauty could not conceal the evil that she was.

She stepped into the hallway after her morning routine. The cold air hit her face generating goosebumps all over her body. It was going to be a cold day. She tightened her scarf, enjoying the warmth it brought.

She walked into the kitchen and poured some cereal into a bowl.

”Good morning, sweetheart.” Someone called from behind her.

Her mum, April Mallory was a beautiful woman, who at the age of forty-five didn't look a day over thirty. With black hair that was slowly turning grey with age, April could easily pass as Kathy's biological mother but Kathy knew that was not the case.

”Good morning, mum.”

”How bad was it?” Her mum asked.

”Not as bad as the previous day although it lasted longer this time.”

The episodes have happened frequently ever since her twenty-first birthday.

April nodded in understanding. ”Don't forget to take your pills and grab your coat. I love you, sweetheart.”

April kissed Kathy's forehead and left for work.

Kathy left the house after eating in a hurry to get to work. Her job at the diner didn't pay much but it was enough to get by. Entering the diner, she pulled her coat closer silently praying that nothing happened today.

”Hello, Stacy.”

Stacy was the head chef who Kathy looked up to.

”How are you today, dear?”

”Good. How are you?”

”I am fine, my dear child.”

Kathy shot Stacy a bright smile making the older lady smile back at her. The bell at the front door rang indicating a customer's arrival. Kathy grabbed her apron, pen, and notepad, it was going to be a busy day.

Many customers later, Kathy was exhausted. Her feet were swollen in her boots and all she wanted to do was put her feet up and relax.

”Bri, can you cover for me? I just need to rest awhile.”

Brianna was another waitress in the eatery.

”Sure thing, love, ” Brianna answered with a wink. Brianna was gay and had been hitting on Kathy ever since she got a job at the diner.

Kathy smiled at Brianna, then walked to the storage room. She removed her boots, coat, then sat on the floor. Leaning on the cool tiles of the wall, she closed her eyes.

”Kathy.”

She was walking in a forest, trees and shrubs were all she could see around her.

”Who is it?”

”Do not forget, my child, remember who you are.” she heard the voice say again.

All of a sudden, she couldn't hear anything else. It was all silent. Suddenly, she heard a crash, followed by what sounded like a group of horses racing towards her. She looked back to see that certainly, there were men on horses racing towards her. Not wanting to wait to know what or who they were after, she broke into a run, darting deep into the forest. She could feel stones slicing into her feet making her realize that she was barefoot.

Confused and scared, she kept running in no particular direction.

She wondered why she was being chased. ’Who had that voice and why did it sound so familiar?’

Her limbs were getting tired. She had no idea who was chasing her or why, but she knew that she had to run.

She paused to catch her breath, feeling slightly out of breath. She felt as though she had been running in circles. Everything looked the same.

”Over here.” she heard from behind her.

She dashed into the forest again, pushing her legs to go faster.

”Don’t let the kid get away!” she heard another voice yell.

Kid?

”Kathy.” she heard a distant voice.

”Kathy!”

She gasped and awakened. Her body was soaked with sweat. She could almost hear her heartbeat from how fast her heart was beating.

”What is wrong with you today? I've been calling you for a while now.”

Brianna frowned at Kathy's silence. However, Kathy was too disoriented to say anything. She got up and dusted her pants.

Flashing a fake smile at Brianna, she said, ”I’m sorry, Bri. I'll get back to work now.”

She ran out of the storage room leaving a stunned Brianna behind.

She continued working while trying to figure out what the dream meant. She could still hear the voice echoing in her head, ’Remember who you are.’

She wondered if that is supposed to mean anything or if it was related to the things happening to her.

’Who was that kid?’ She thought to herself.

”Thank you.”

”Would you like anything else?” she asked a customer.

”No, thank you. I'd like the bill, please.”

After serving the last customer in the diner, she walked to the back of the counter.

”Are you okay? You seem a little off today, ” Stacy asked.

”I’m okay, Stacy. I'll be better tomorrow.”

Stacy searched her face for any indication that she was lying but couldn't find any. Kathy had mastered the art of pretense over the years.

”Well you better be. We have a late customer tonight and you are the only waitress available now. Brianna had a bathroom emergency, so she is probably still in the restroom. Mr. Hunt called earlier to make a reservation for eight pm.”

”Who the hell still eats dinner by 8 pm?” Kathy quizzed, a little surprised.

”Rich white men, I guess.”

She chuckled at Stacy's slightly racist statement.

”Why would a rich white man choose to eat here when he can eat in an expensive restaurant?”

Stacy shrugged then say, ” It's not our business to worry about that.”

The bell rang.

”Oh, he is here.”

Kathy walked to the man to find him already seated and going through the table menu.

”Good evening, Sir. My name is Kathy and I'll be your waitress for the night. Would you like to order now or do you need some more time?”

The man raised his face to look at her. She couldn't stop the gasp that escaped her lips.