Thread: Bound for Trouble {Darkest Nightmare & The Supple Nail}

Exciting, but maybe a little cliche. She said as they rolled into town. Kristin wasn't terribly impressed by Bendfork, it was the kind of one horse town that she'd passed dozens of times and never had the inclination to investigate. It was a little smaller than Plainview--but not much--and rather than nostalgic she felt bored by it. Like she knew everything that was going on without even stepping foot in the town. There would be the lazy old timers, the kids who just wanted to get out of town, the hicks who couldn't imagine why anyone would want to leave. Even the bar where Everett dropped her off seemed familiar. She had never spent much time in either of the bars back home but she knew the type. Dingy, grubby, smelling of stale beer, cigarettes and gasoline. Thank you, Everett. She said earnestly, smiling up at him through her long eyelashes. She took the card with his number on it, tucked it into her back pocket, and rested a hand on his chest for just a moment longer than was necessary. It was partly relief to be in friendly territory and off the road, partly just to feel the hard muscle there under the uniform. With a start and a blush she snatched her hand back and whirled around, skittering towards the swing doors of the little canteen. I'll be here, I guess. She said over her shoulder to hide the pink in her cheeks. The diner was about what she expected. A dried out waitress who she assumed was named Flo although a glance at her scuffed name tag named her Agnes was peddling a pot of coffee between the booths. Two fellows who looked like regulars glanced up at her from their tables, eyes hooded under mesh trucker hats lingering on her body. Jim was what you'd expect from the proprietor of such an establishment. Short, balding, with ruddy cheeks and a tired look in his eyes. His white apron was stained but to Kristin's surprise the rest of him was squeaky clean, neat, and well groomed. He gave her a friendly smile and she felt herself relax a bit, especially when the truckers gave off ogling her and went back to their conversation. Kristin slid into a stool by the bar and explained her situation, showing him Everett's card and inquiring about the room in the back. The rate was reasonable even though she didn't have any alternative, and while it wasn't likely to be the most pleasant of stays at least she wouldn't be breaking the bank. A small tube TV on the bar was playing NASCAR with the sound muted but since nobody was paying any attention to it Kristin got Jim to let her change it to the Discovery channel. Fortunately it was an old documentary on giraffes and not the ghost and alien hunting garbage that mostly ran. Kristin settled in to wait. She had nowhere to be and nothing to do except wait for the tow truck to find out what the damage to her truck was, and how long she would have to wait to get it fixed. She was hungry but still hot so she bought one of the dubious looking egg salad sandwiches from the rotary display near the door and ordered a coke from Jim. It was getting on towards evening and as boredom began to weigh on her Kristin switched from coke to rum 'n coke, although she only had one in order to keep her head clear. The tv was on mute and the juke box was playing, the clattering sounds of the pool table ringing lazily over the dingy interior when the bell over the door tinkled. Heads turned reflexively then went back to their original trajectories with a sort of resigned ritual but Kristin perked up at the newcomer. Everett, over here! She said, giving him a small wave as he sauntered in.