Read Online Forbidden Days (The Firsts) by C.L. Quinn - Free Book Online

several booths away.  When he saw she noticed him, he glanced away suddenly.  Dressed in a red plaid shirt like many of the locals, he looked clean, decent, but there was something about him that was wrong.  She could feel it.  He made her feel unsettled, and when she caught him staring at her again a few minutes later, her warning flags came up high.  It seemed her ability to read people was getting stronger. There was something off about him…badly…and she knew she had to leave.  She was looking toward him as Bernie came up from the other side of the table and startled her.  She jumped out of her skin, scaring the waitress too.
    “Sweetie, you got too much of a sugar high.  You alright?  You look pale.”  Bernie sat a steaming plate in front of her.  Park turned to her.
    “No.  Um, yes.  You know, I think you were right.  That shake was incredible, but it did fill me up.  Can I take that food to go?”
    “Well, sure.  Let me have Presley sack it up for you.  I’ll be right back.  Here’s your check, sweetie.”
    “I appreciate it.”  Park pulled out some cash, didn’t want to risk leaving any clues behind.  It was probably paranoia spawned by Bas, but she was smart enough to cover her tracks anyway, and to listen to her instincts.  Leaving a generous tip for her new friend, she got up and met her halfway across the diner and took the package from Bernie.
    “I put some forks and knives in there in case you feel up to it soon.  And I did include that alka-seltzer.”  Bernie laughed.  Park looked at her and paused.
    “Thank you.  This is weird for me to say, but I feel like if I could stick around we might be friends.”  Well, that was completely uncharacteristic.
    But Bernie touched her arm.  “You know, I think so too.  There’s just something about you…   I’m good with people and I sense you have an interesting story.  If you ever come through here again, look me up.  I’m here most of the time.”
    “I promise I will. Thanks again.”
    Park left quickly.  She kept an eye in the rear view mirror, but never saw anyone following.  She was careful to drive around several roads to make sure.  But she had no tail.  Maybe the creep was just a creep.
    After she arrived back at the cabin, she sat out on the porch swing and ate the entire breakfast concoction;  potatoes, egg, chili, cheese, onions, hot salsa, sour cream…every last bite.  Within ten minutes of finishing, she was gratefully bouncing the two effervescent alka seltzer tablets in warm water.  Thank you, Bernie.
    Since she knew she would be driving again all night, she laid back down on the cushioned bench and let herself drift off to a dreamless sleep.  The next thing she was aware of was someone touching her hair.  She came awake quickly and heard Bas.
    “It’s me.  We need to get moving.”
    Park drew a deep breath.  “Sure.  I need to hit the bathroom first.  Hey, do you guys…never mind.  That’s too personal and I don’t want to know.”  A quick glance out the window showed she had slept the rest of the day away.  It was deep dusk, just the slightest tinge of rose left in the sky behind the departed sun.  She went into the bathroom and closed the door.
    It was just a few minutes later, Park came out adjusting her shirt.  “I forgot to call work.  I hope they don’t send out a search party.  I’ll definitely call tomorrow.”  Bas was waiting on the bench, eating a banana.
    “Hey, where did you get that?” she asked.
    He grinned.  “Handy being a vampire sometimes.  Ready?”
    “I think so.  Hey, I just wanted to tell you that at the diner this…”
    She never got a chance to finish the sentence.
    Bas suddenly exploded up and was gone out the door in a movement so quick, Park didn’t see him move.  There was a loud shriek and something that sounded like a thunder boom.  She raced out at her normal human speed to see Bas leaning over a body lying on the floor of the