Back Home

                                    

                                          


                          
     Four days had passed and I was on a train heading back to the city. Raven kept in contact with me asking if I was doing alright and making sure that I was staying in a hotel or someplace warm.  
                          
     On the morning of the fourth day I was finally informed that Tom had been looking for me. Which, didn't surprise me and honestly, I couldn't care less. Then Raven told me what had happened to not only my house, but what Tom had did to Derry.
                          
     After being delayed for five hours I was finally walking into Raven's Diner. Of course, Raven was there serving coffee to the usual bunch. Looking over her shoulder when the door chimed, she smiled lightly at me. A smile that I had come to know as worry and concern. Returning it with a light smile of my own I took a seat at the bar.  
                          
     "Welcome back." She greeted me.  
                          
     I returned it with a nod. I for one, was NOT happy to be back. Outside the city and away from all the noise and angry people I was able to somewhat relax. Most of the time was spent sitting by the lake watching the waves crash against the rocks. Other times I was walking around a small town; who's name I couldn't remember. 
                          
     Raven placed my cell phone in front of me as well as my usual drink. "Your phone blew up the first three days. And yes, it was mainly Tom. He finally quit when I answered and told him to knock it off and that you were not to be bothered. Then showed up here thinking that I was somehow hiding you. So, told him that you left your phone here and I didn't know where you had gone." 
                          
     "Bet he just loved that." I scoffed then downed the drink. My thirst was so painful that I felt physically sick to my stomach. Without having to ask, Raven continued to make me one after another. By the time I reached my limit, I had downed about a weeks' worth of blood. My stomach, was royally pissed but the pain began to slowly subside. 
                          
     "Did you not feed while you were away?" 
                          
     "No." I responded by shaking my head. "Too small of a town for that. Didn't want to risk being caught." 
                          
     "Responsible yet irresponsible like always." She said before sipping her coffee. 
                          
     "And that surprises you still to this day?" I sided glanced at her. Out of everyone in the city Raven knew me the best.  
                          
     "In a way yes and also no. You know how dangerous it is for you to skip meals for too long. Or do you need a reminder of what happened last time?" 
                          
     "No, I don't. But, you also know that I only drink from those who are on my list. The last thing we need is for someone to catch me." 
                          
     "Yes, but you need to take care of yourself. By not feeding, you put not only yourself in danger, but the rest of us as well." 
                          
     There's that mothering side again. "Raven, stop. I know my body and its limits. You don't need to worry about me. Alright? If I was found out I would up move to a different part of the city or go to the west coast." 
                          
     She studied my emotionless face well. I knew what she was doing for she did it every time I walked in. When she released a sigh, I knew she had either given up, or she had found the answer she was seeking. "Just, promise me that you won't put yourself in harm's way. There are a few of us, that would be devastated to lose you." 
                          
     "If you say so." She huffed and smacked me with her rag. 
                          
     "If you only knew Rennie. You are surrounded by people who love you."  
                          
     I snorted at that. Yeah, right. I give them all a room for decent rent and split the bills. Raven cleared her throat making me look up at her. The anger rolling off of her was strong enough to affect everyone in the diner. I could feel their eyes drilling holes deep into my core.