B

The Present.

DAWN ATKINS POV.

Stepping into the warm cozy restaurant, I was surprised to see that some of the workers were already busy at work.

On normal days, I was always the first to arrive but I guess I'd overslept today, which was all due to my nightmare's return. I hadn't been able to get a wink of sleep through the night, but only got a few shut eyes which lasted all through my alarm noises.

The guys gave me the most dazzling smile before the leering, seductive glances kicked in. It was going to be another painstaking day of saying no to numerous romantic proposals. It made me sick, but I'd always had to deal with it all my life, so it was nothing new.

Avoiding their gazes, I walked toward the counter and threw on my apron.

The attention I got every time I walked into a room didn't bother me as much as it did before.

From a young age, I'd always been different. I was the beautiful girl with an innocent soulful face. A face that made people either love me or want to destroy me, or go to the extreme to do evil despicable things to me.

In school, it made me the center of everyone's attention. All the girls choose to hate me. You couldn't be beautiful, yet brilliant they said. I was both and because of that, I bore their resentment like a weight hanging around my neck. The bullying didn't stop until my mother pulled me out and had me homeschooled instead.

It got worse as I grew up. I'd get harassed every time I went out of the house and sometimes the cops had to get involved.

That was when the nightmares started, and they were always dark and vicious. I struggled with depression until I felt like I was losing my mind. I also couldn't get a job to keep busy because they always wanted something from me in return, even though I was qualified for the position.

It was a miracle I hadn't ever gotten kidnapped considering the level of depravity of some of the men and women that had been obsessed with me.

I had finally decided to leave the big city and move to a small town when It felt like everyone was out to hurt me. My mom agreed because she had been so sad, clinging to the edge every day, and worrying over me.

She had looked almost glad to see me go but I was keen to leave too.

This town was better. The citizens had morals and tho there was some occasional harassment, I found I could handle myself well here. I started taking defense classes to fight off men who didn't understand the meaning of the word NO.

The compliment and curiosity of People never stopped and they always had something to say to me or about me.

The people of this town were specifically enthralled with my eyes and were always gossiping about them, they also found occasion to talk to me and compliment them but I didn't see anything special in them except that were dark blue that changed shades according to lightning and color rays. My features were pretty delicate, and I guessed that was why people thought they could take advantage of me.

The rasp of Mason's hand against the counter broke through my thought and made me flinch. Choosing to Ignore his presence, I busied myself cleaning the same spot over and again.

I didn't like Mason because he had a shitty attitude, and even though he was very good-looking, worked out, had a perfect body, and knew how to charm everyone's pants off_ except me, I tried to put a distance between us. He also had a nasty temper which was a red flag for me.

Well, I and Men naturally did not get along. They were always trying to take advantage of me. My father left when I was young, and my Mom never had anything good to say about him so I became defensive and cautious of them. Wary of them would suit the term better.

Mason tapped the counter again and I forced myself to acknowledge him with a raised eyebrow. He leaned closer, his grey eyes probing into mine. A warm smile across his glossed-up lips.

"So how about after closing hours, you finally accept my offer and I take you out to show you a good time" he offered, proceeding to add what he considered a sexy wink.

It was not sexy, at all. I dropped the wipers with a sigh then forced a thin smile onto my lips which I made sure he saw was fake as daylight.

"I'd rather not. I have something planned for tonight"

His face screwed up. They all knew I was a loner, who didn't go anywhere but my home so he knew I was lying. His hands drummed harder on the counter as he leaned even closer.

"Come on I've been asking you out for two years now, are you seriously going to keep doing this" he rasped, his eyes probing.

"I think two years is a pretty long time for you to get that I don't like you that way, Mason. I don't want to go out with you", I said, staring him straight in the eyes. I needed him to know I was serious.

His gaze hardened, his expression becoming darker but I'd already seen it coming. They were all the same in the end, they resulted to being aggressive when their subtlety didn't work.

"You don't need to be a bitch about it, you're not all that you know" he sneered with venom. "You think you're some diva huh?"

"It's too early for your bullshit Mason. I came to work, and I think you should do the same". I suggested with a firm nod in the direction of his empty workspace.

He cursed, then his hands reach out to grab me

My heart flew into my throat. "Don't..."

"Yes Mason, stop pestering the best hard-working employee of the month" Gabriel's thick accent cut across the air and Mason froze. He whipped around like a deer caught in the headlights.

It served him right. Most guys have given up trying to pursue me but not Mason because he got all the girls. I do not see him being awarded any trophies for the trouble tho.

"Boss" he laughed. "I was just catching up with beautiful Belle here." He turned to face me, smiling like we were best buddies. "Isn't that right, Dawn?"

Gabriel interrupted before I could answer. "She doesn't like your catching up, so get back to work, or there'll be hell to pay," he warned in his usual authoritative manner.

Mason nodded, his shoulders sagging like an errant child that had been scolded as he walked back to his post.

"Sorry about Mason. I'll talk to him" he said reassuringly. I nodded. Not that talking ever worked with Mason.

"Thanks, boss." He waved my thanks off, then strode to the door, turning the sign for open. I couldn't believe that I had not noticed it when I came in. I made to apologize but he just smiled and walked into his office.

He was the best boss I'd ever worked for, he was also the first to hire me without any ulterior motive.

I got back to work, adjusting the expresso machine and rearranging the cakes to make them look attractive. I had a knack for things like that. The early morning customers soon arrived. I took their orders and then served them. I made sure they had happy smiles on their faces before going back to my post.

I didn't mind doing Gracie's job. She was not an early riser or a stickler to set time. Mr. Gabriel was very tolerant of her bad behavior and I had a strong gut feeling that he was in love with her. I do feel sorry for him because Gracie was not one to make commitments. She lived freely and was always trying new things. New things Included being with new guys. I wish I could be that free.

The door chimed and Gracie walked in. Talk of the devil.

"I am so fucking hungover," she said with a grimace as she approached me. She certainly looked the part. Her red hair was messy in a kind of I just had morning sex sought-of way, her eyes also had dark circles. I guess she didn't sleep much.

"Please tell me the boss is not in"

"The boss is not in" I deadpan and she made a face.

"What? You're the one who came late, also, don't be too loud, Mr. I want "silence" all the time, is here" I whispered and tilted my chin in the direction of a secluded booth. Her eyes widen a fraction before she made a zipping motion over her lips.

"What happened to you last night," I asked as she put on her apron, and got busy beside me.

"Got stupid drunk and took a hottie home. My very expensive necklace was missing this morning. That fucktard!"

I grinned, already used to her wild stories. "Any regrets then?" I hit my shoulder against hers and she turned to face me

"Regrets? Hmmm, let me see. My brain almost got fucked out of my head last night. The guy was a fucking stallion. I was in seventh heaven all through the night, so no regrets" she said spacing out a little before getting serious. "Too bad he was a thief, I mean I would have paid him if he'd just asked"

I chuckled, hitting my knuckles against her head. She winced before glaring at me.

"You're unbelievable. You have to be more careful ok, you don't want to pick up a serial killer, do you?"

She looked thoughtful for a second, then grinned. "Since I do the picking up, I don't think that would be happening anytime soon. You do need to get laid tho" she changed the topic smoothly. I rolled my eyes to the seventh heaven that she mentioned a while back. Here we go again.

"For reals, if you got laid, you wouldn't be so worried about my sex life. Mason and thousands of other guys are over you, you could be getting it every freaking night but you'd rather die a maid" she faked a cry, her lips trembling as she gazed at me with puppy eyes. "When will you be a free maid?"

"At least I'm the pretty maid that put smiles on people's faces. Besides I don't like Men". I said to throw her off. She folded her arm, glaring.

"I offered to hook you up with a woman and you also refused. How do you even sleep at night?".

"Very peacefully".

"Wow, I might be unbelievable but you're completely hopeless. You need more night troubles trust me"

I laughed at her suggestions and then went back to work. We chatted now and then. She shared her escapades while I listened, wishing my life wasn't so complicated.

Midday was the busiest but It was more manageable at night. I was the last to leave most time after Gabriel. Gracie also closed at the same time as me but then it was straight to the club or a party event. She never invited anyone along since she preferred her company.

I didn't leave far from the cafe and Cabs were always available by 8:00 pm. I locked up, then took a cab home. That was my daily routine.

My apartment was small and I surrounded myself with dark art, and wooden items. I even had the walls painted black. I wanted to recreate a dark beautiful forest when I got the house. It worked. Specks of dark greens decorated the walls, my couch, and my bed. It was my safe little haven. My mom called twice a week to check on me. She made sure to visit every month. She missed me a lot but we both agreed that Syracuse was the best place for me to stay and heal.

After work, I spent the night indulging myself in reading romance novels, listening to songs, and freelancing online to make more money so I could go back home to start a business on my own.

Lying in bed, I stared at the ceiling, trying to fall asleep but It was hard especially when I knew the nightmare would come back to hunt me.

It was always so vivid that I felt like I would die if I couldn't force myself to wake up. Taking sleeping pills made it worse. No one knew about my problems because I never shared much and Gracie, free-spirited as she was had her demons to fight.

As my eyes closed slowly, my body shivered in anticipation. Hours pass by and I drifted off. It doesn't take long for me to feel it.

I couldn't move and it felt like I was being held down with strong sturdy chains. My eyes snapped wide open, and I couldn't close them even as I saw the horror of my nightmare. It was hideous, rotting away, skin shedding to the floor as it moved but it still looked human. It was crawling towards me. Tears rolled down my cheeks. I was screaming but it felt like whispers in the air. My throat ached. Its cold hands touch my skin and I shuddered in revulsion. Suddenly it was face to face with me, then it pressed its long talons into my neck. I screamed louder as worms filled my throat.

I thrashed about, clutching at my throat, gagging, and trying to spit them out. The pressure lifted and I coughed loudly, tears pouring down my face as I frantically glanced around. I was alone. The clock read three o'clock in the morning.

I lay back sobbing softly as the terrifying image filled my mind. I didn't want to close my eyes, so I stayed awake until the sun rose on the horizon.

I tried to stand, only to end up stubbing my toe against the table stand. The skin got peeled off and I gasped as warm blood spurted out.

Something was going to go wrong today. It was very rare for me to get an injury.

It was a jinx whenever it occurred.

Bad stuff always happened after that.