The warm sunlight beats on my neck. It is unusually hot for may and most people have taken to the inside of the diner today but for me, I love the fresh air. Something about being inside makes me feel trapped. Like I am surrounded by people that know the truth. I know it has been almost seven years and by now the story has been buried under the horrible stories of bombings and school shootings but the fear still follows me everywhere I go. Reaching forward I grab the cup of coffee off of the table, taking a long sip of the warm liquid before returning it back to the small white saucer.

I haven't been here very long only a couple of weeks but since I have moved here I have already found the people are unlike anywhere I have been in the past. They are genuinely kind and friendly. As nice as it is to have I know it is just going to make it that much harder to leave when I have too.

"Would you like your coffee freshened up?"

The cheerful voice of the waitress breaks through my thoughts. I glace up shooting her a smile. Her bright blue eyes light up her pale skin and a pile of light blonde hair is perfectly piled on top of her head. She can't be any older than 17 and she reminds me so much of my old self it scares me. She is so innocent to the world. She lives in a slice of heaven completely unaware of the evil that lurks out beyond this. I nod my head and smile politely as she fills up my cup. The rich aroma of coffee filling the air.

"Thank you."

I watch her walk to another table. Taking in one last glace of the girl I used to be with it. My once long blond locks have been dyed dark chocolate brown and cut into a stylish shoulder-length bob. My ice blue eyes are hidden under a thin plastic shade of emerald and my pale skin has been sun-kissed way more than it ever was in New York. I won't stay this way for long in six months to a year I will pack up without telling a soul. I will change my name, appearance, and start over yet again.

Quickly wiping the tear that has managed to escape. I take a final sip of my coffee, leaving a ten on the table and head for the exit. I don't even manage a full step out the door when a little girl on a bike with a light pink helmet comes barreling towards me down the hill. My initial response is to jump out of the way but there is a fear in her eyes telling me she can't stop. Bracing for the impact I plaster myself directly in front of the bike feeling the full force of metal against my shins as I wrap my arms tightly around her tiny waist hoisting her up against me. Her small arms grasp around my me for dear life as she sobs against my chest.

"Ava!"

Looking up to the direction the small child in my arms just emerged from to see a man only a few strides away. Though his face is pinched in fear it doesn't take me long to appreciate everything he is working with. I follow his long jean covered legs up to his tight black t-shirt. His tan muscular arms stretching the sleeves rather perfectly. His jaw slightly adorned with just the right amount of stubble up to a pair of perfect mossy green eyes, nothing like the fake color I was sporting. To a head of shaggy brown hair, the kind brown that without the glow of the sun could easily be mistaken for black. I zone back in from my trance of checking him out to see a cocky smirk pointed at me his eyes holding a knowing glint.

"I'm sorry, is this little girl yours?" I mentally facepalm myself for my extreme lack of composure.

"Don't be sorry thank you for saving my niece from my stupidity. My sister would have literally had my head on a silver platter had you not saved her. Not that I would really blame her." Pausing he reaches out and takes the scared little girl from my arms she doesn't resist clutching on to her uncle with pride and laying her head on his shoulder. "Ava, you scared the crap out of me I told you not to turn the corner because of the hill remember."

"I know uncle Brice, but Charlie from school told me that all the other kids are allowed to go down the hill and if I didn't I was a sissy pants." Her voice choked with tears throughout her sentence.

"Well, Charlie is an idiot." As the words escape his mouth I can't help the chuckle that escapes my lips.

"I am going to have to agree with your uncle on that one. My name is Anna Wilson. I just moved here a few weeks ago. I actually have someplace to be at the moment but it was nice meeting you both."I can feel his eyes following me as I walk away.

"Hey, Anna."

Turning on my heels I face him I am now a good few feet away.

"Thank you"

~~~~

Hello Brice! What do we think so far about him?

I hope you guys are enjoying the characters of this story. I hereby apologize for any future discrepancies they may face!

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