Page 2 of Shattered Souls

The first inhale I take tastes like freedom.

1

Rayvn

TWO YEARS LATER

“Rayvn!” One of the girls from the diner shouts at me from the kitchen. I finish taking the order of the nice older man in front of me before I turn and head towards the back.

I hand the ticket that I just wrote out to our cook, Felix. He offers me a soft smile, one I return on instinct, before turning back to his grill.

When I round the corner to where all the girls sit and gossip between tables, I see all three of the other waitresses sitting in a circle, casually talking about whatever they do.

Eleanor looks up at me and smiles. “There she is.”

“Okay, Rayvn,” Allie chimes in. “Have you heard of Shattered Souls?”

“Can’t say I have.”

“Guys,” Eleanor nudges Karla’s shoulder. “She’s newer to town than us.” That’s a wild understatement. Though I’ve been in Montana for two years now, I’ve only been in Wraithridge for six months. And I’ve only had this job for five.

I’ve made it a point in my life to not get too comfortable anywhere. Someone could figure out who I am at any moment, and I need to be ready to jump and run at the drop of a hat.

My method is to move a few towns over and rent an apartment. The minute that lease is up, I’m in a different city or town. Only, this one has grown on me harder than the others have.

“She should know Shattered Souls by now.” Allie bites back at Eleanor. Eleanor just rolls her eyes at her friend.

“Shattered Souls,” Karla saves me from getting a snotty tone from Allie for missing something. “is a haunted house in Wraithridge that’s known mainly because of the hot ass scare actors they hire.”

“Yeah, and this year they’re opening early because of how well they did last year.” Allie finishes for her.

“Anyway,” Eleanor interrupts. “We’re thinking of going for opening weekend, that would be next week, and wanted to see if you’d like to come?” Her eyes are soft and honest.

The three girls have never been mean or cold to me—I just think Allie treats everyone she meets like that. Eleanor has been the nicest to me out of the trio. Karla was more skeptical to accept me into their small group, but of course, Allie shut that down and pulled me in—whether I liked it or not.

“Oh,” I stumble on my words. “Yeah, I’ll think about it.”

We all know that I won’t be going.

They’ve offered for me to tag along to a handful of different occasions before and each time I give the same answer. I’ll think about it. I know I should try and put more effort into their effort, but that means letting people get closer to me. And that thought alone is the reason I stick to the local bar and my apartment.

“Order!” Felix shouts from the kitchen, and I turn before the girls can say anything more.

“Thanks, Felix!” I grab the steaming plate and take it to the older man that sits reading a book. I slide the plate in front of him and catch a glimpse of the title.

“I just started that one myself.” He slips his bookmark into place and delicately places the book down on the table.

“I think his daughter killed him.” For a second, the conversation vanishes and all that’s left are the words the older man spoke. And, in that, the truth they hold.

“Um,”

“I think that she got tired of his shit and put him exactly where he deserves.” I stare at him. He must see something in my face, because he pauses and a look of horror flashes across his wrinkled features.

Now I have to kiss my apartment goodbye.

“Oh dear,” He clears his throat. “I apologize if I’ve just spoiled that story.”

“You’re alright,” I lean over and take his empty coffee mug. “I think it was his sister.” I whisper before turning and heading back into the kitchen.