Strings Of Fate

Chapter 13: Pushing away

                                 Angel quickly ducked under the table, nearly hitting his head. His heart raced in his chest as he backed up against the wall under the table and up against the shadows attempting to conceal his body in the darkness. He could hear the boots of the prissy man as they moved against the floor, walking closer...fuck fuck fuck fuck!

Everything in the diner froze, it went silent in Angel's mind as he tried not to tremble or breathe too loud. He could hardly breathe in fact, his breath catching in his throat.

Why is he here!?

His mind questioned in pure fear. Brown eyes catching sight of the black heeled boots from under the table but Angel made no movement knowing it would just make it worse. His breathing was nearly nonexistent and he held his breath as his arms wrapped around himself, nails digging into his arms as his lips quivered.

He always messaged, so if he was personally seeking him out...then he must have done something wrong. That or...he was trying to stalk him for his location.

He saw the pair of boots standing at the counter and another pair of footsteps from behind the counter. Angel listened quietly trying as best he could to keep his presence unknown.

"Can I help you." Joy's voice, she sounded annoyed. Her words hardly sounded like a question and more like a statement on 'how fast can you get the hell out.' He could practically see her frowning and giving that look despite not being able to actually see her from here.

"Yes, has a certain blonde-haired slu-er-man come in recently? Looks like a woman half the time." The deep southern accented man spoke.

"The only people comin' in and outta here are old men like ya'self." Her response was quick, no hesitation, that was good.

There was a click of the tongue from the other. "You best be on the lookout then."

"Excuse me? Are you orderin' me around?" She seemed intent on going forward with that statement and a brief 'uh' registered from the other but Joy didn't allow the man to speak. "Look, pal, you might own everything else in this shithole but you sure as well don't own this damn place or me."

"M-Madam, I didn't mean any-"

"Oh, I think ya' did. In fact, I don't want you in my diner so you can get the hell out." A silence followed and Angel's heart raced in fear...he saw the boots turn slightly in his direction and he wanted to move further against the wall, but he knew he'd make a sound.

He just sat still, not moving an inch trying not to tremble.

It felt like hours had passed but only a mere minute had before the black boots finally turned away and began walking away. "Well, you have a good day then." The voice said before the sound of a bell followed and a door closing.

Angel still hadn't moved even after that point, he was only left shaking...but strangely, being under the table and in the shadows that it made felt...oddly comforting. He felt warm in this spot, almost like an invisible blanket was draped over his shoulders.

He wanted to stay here a bit longer...

"He's gone kiddo, you can get up now." Joy called softly from her spot behind the counter. Angel felt paranoid to do so, but trusted joy and slowly crawled out from under the table before slowly standing up. He still held himself and there was an obvious tremble to his body, he could already feel the blows to his body and his eye ached even with the makeup covering it...He knew he would be punished the next time he stopped by.

"Are you okay?" Angel jolted; he hadn't even realized Joy walked over to him and the small contact of her hand with his shoulder was enough to make him yelp. The others in the diner looked at him strangely and Joy was quick to wrap an arm around him and pull him through the small metal door into the kitchen that wasn't all that active right now.