Crash!

The tray and - thankfully empty - cups in my hands clattered to the floor upon collision between me and the person who'd just walked in. I immediately kneel down to pick them up, fumbling out apology after apology, embarrassed. The last of the cups had rolled out of reach. A bony phalange wearing a fingerless black glove catches it, offering it to me. I feel my stomach flip.

'Oh god..' lifting my eyes to peer through my green bangs, I felt my body go rigid, and had to remind myself how to breathe. I quickly grab the glass and rise to my feet, throwing a swift "Someone will be with you in a moment. Excuse me," before walking back into the kitchen.

~ ; ~

I hurried out the back door, ignoring any further protest from Opal. So long as she didn't burn down the diner, it'll be fine.

My heart was pounding rapidly. My breathing steadily increased in pace and grew ragged. Darkness peeked around my peripherals and the world spun lightly. Placing the back of my hand against my mouth, I felt warm tears run down my cheeks. I trembled with light sobs.

This was not supposed to happen.

I was not supposed to see him.

And neither was Opal—Oh god, I wasn't thinking! It's too late now. I can only hope he keeps quiet about it now.

Calming down, another thought crosses my mind. Did he recognize me? I surely hope not. I grew out my hair and dyed it for a reason. Wiping away the remaining tears, one of my eyes start to bug me. I sigh and fix my green contact. The green is a natural shade, and mixed my usually brown eyes, they make a nearly hazel color.

A few more moments pass before I deem myself calm enough to actually leave. Getting in my car and starting the engine, the panic almost comes back. The hairs on the back of my neck raise at the feeling of those all-too-familiar eyes on me and I struggle to swallow down the temptation to turn towards them. With a destination in mind, I pull out of the parking lot and drive away.

I make a quick stop at a nearby 11-7 to grab a thing or two and pay for gas. Waiting for the gas to finish pumping, I pull out my phone, dialing a number. A few rings later, I'm holding the phone between my shoulder and ear, pulling out the pump and putting it back. Closing the hatch, I hop back in my car. I mutter a curse, having been sent to voicemail. I redial the number and pull out thing one from my back pocket. A pack of cigarettes. Still balancing the phone between my shoulder and ear, I beat the box on my palm a few times before opening it. Reaching above the visor, I grab my red lighter. Sent to voicemail yet again.

I go to redial, but a honk behind me almost makes me drop my phone. I huff in irritation and toss the device in the passenger seat. I start the ignition and drive away.

Soon, I pull down a street - all too familiar for my liking - and park across the street from my stop. Hate would be a kind-hearted word for the shaggy, broken, one-floored, light brown house. Even kinder for the resident of such.

Pulling out a cigarette and placing it between my lips, I flick on my lighter, igniting the damned thing. Rolling down my window, I took a drag from it and blew the smoke out the window. I flicked the ashes from the end outside the window and dialed the number a final time. Finally, the other end picked up. "Goddamn it Lyn, what'd I tell you about callin' me this early in the morning?"

"It's urgent." I state, unphased by whether or not he got to sleep in.

"It'd better be. At this rate, you already owe me..something to make up for this "urgency"." He chuckled, his voice raspy from just waking up.

Rolling my eyes, I hum, "Yeah okay, anywhosit, we have a problem."

"You being too far aw-" I interrupted his corny flirtation.

"No. We have a problem." I try to emphasize my words more, hoping he'd catch on.

"Does it have to do with the whole time and space mumbo jumbo?" He sounded a little annoyed.

"Yeah, actually. It's Sans. He's back." I sigh.

"And?" He seemed to forget about the whole situation.

"And?!" I groan, "You do realize that if he spreads the word and a certain someone finds the pheonix, history repeats itself, right?"

"Nope. Not following." He stated nonchalantly.

"Caden!-" I was prepared to scold this moron.

"Chill, chill! I'm joking! I get it. But why are you calling me about this?" He questions.

"I need you to track someone down for me." I take a quick puff of my cigarette.

He sighs, "'Course you do. Alright, who?"

"G. S. Tanevier." A hesitate on the name.

"Oh fuck. What the hell is so bad about this "history" that you're keeping from me? Why him?"

I pause, "Just- are you in or not?"

Another sigh, a little more agitated than before, "Fine I'm in."

I smile slightly in triumph, "Thanks. Let me know when you find him."

"'Course." He assures.

I hang up, not wanting to give him any opportunity to finish flirting. Glancing at the house I huff. Only doing what needs to be done.

Priorities Cyndle, priorities. No. I'm Lyndce now. Not much different to those who know my real name, but that's just it. No one does. Funny, right? Falls in my favor anyways. Helps Opal too. That's what matters most.

Suddenly my head is slammed once, twice, and three times on the steering wheel. I hadn't even noticed the presence of another. Both items fall from my grasp and I feel something warm and wet on my forehead. My vision hazy, I try to lift my head.

"Couldn't call first? How rude." A female voice tsks, and my head is slammed again.

Lights out.

-

Anyone catching on?

Nah?

G o o d . *chuckles evilly*

I'll be updating frequently. Most likely a chapter or two every week. No set schedule yetttt.

~ Bub =x

Ps) If you have any questions regarding anything, feel free! I know things are probably HELLA confusing right now.