Another dull night in Salem.
It was October 2nd, 202X. And you, Barbara, were alone, bored and a little down on yourself.
Normally, you got quite a few parts in plays during the fall, when most of the local theaters put on plays. The season usually ran from September to May or so, and each theater ran one or two shows a month. This October, the Rosemont Theater was putting on a play you wanted nothing to do with. They were doing the dreaded Cats. You hated Cats. You auditioned, though, and declined to participate when the director gave you a generic ensemble role. You'd honestly rather die than wear that embarrassing outfit and prance around on stage. You knew you'd never live down being seen dancing around dressed like a cat person. And so, you waited for the next play to roll around. You heard that in November the Rosemont was going to put on a Shakespeare play, and you always fancied the role of Lady Macbeth. You knew that you were probably hurting yourself by not getting involved with this month's production, and, right now, you were beating yourself up about it a little too much. You knew by not acting, you were sure to go nowhere. But what was the point in only playing in the chorus? Background role after background role made you feel a little worthless.
Auditions wouldn't happen for a few weeks. This meant you had tons of time to work your two jobs as a waitress. But it also meant that you were working in the 24 hour diner at 3 AM, almost completely alone. A cook was in the back. At least, he was supposed to be in the back. But people rarely ever came to eat or for coffee at 3 AM, aside from a few night owls who rarely ever stayed long. The cook typically napped in his car. This meant that for the most part, you had to learn how to cook and run the kitchen on your own during the graveyard shift.
You sat behind the counter, sipping a cup of crappy black coffee you made with the old, outdated machine in the back. You weren't sure exactly what you were expecting every time you made yourself a cup, because it always tasted terrible. But it did help you stay awake until the diner started serving breakfast at six, at which time you would go home and pass out from exhaustion, and then go to your other waitress job at the country club.
You take a sip of the crappy cup of coffee. "Eww, tastes like cigarettes" you said aloud. It always tasted terrible, but this was new. You weren't sure if the owners had bought a new crappy type of coffee, or if the machine was just breaking down after years and years of use. You wince as you take another sip, and then let out a heavy sigh when you realize that the crappy cup of coffee is making you crave a smoke. You haven't smoked in nearly two weeks, and you shouldn't start now. You take another sip and try to get your mind off of the topic of auditions.
You exhale sharply through your nose, and then walk over to the cash register. You need a cigarette to calm down. During the day, Debbie runs the register and chainsmokes like chimney. She probably wouldn't notice if one was missing...
Jackpot. There's a fresh pack. True, Debbie might notice if the pack is opened, but you can't help yourself. You grab a thin little cigarette and Debbie's old lighter and go out the front of the diner. You spot a bench across from the parking lot and go to sit down for a minute.
You sit down and put the cigarette between your lips. You glance up at the diner, the sole light against the dark backdrop of Salem. The stars above seem to shine so brightly, and you are struck by them for a moment. A feeling wells up in you and lumps up in your throat. You had such hopes for success. What happened to you? When did you become such a loser? How did it all go wrong? How did you get stuck waitressing at a terrible little diner at 3 AM?
You click the lighter. Nothing. You sigh, exasperated. Can't something go right for you?
"Need a light?" came a soft voice from behind you. You turn around and are greeted by the sight of a twenty-something girl, clad from head to toe in black. Her face was nearly expressionless, but you can detect the faint traces of a grin on her lips and her eyes twinkle ever so slightly. Her black hair was straight, and she wore her hair with bangs. She seemed somewhat familiar to you, but you can't exactly place where you know her from. Did you go to high school with her? There was a goth chick that got involved with the theaters from time to time. You never met her formally, since she always lurked backstage. What was her name again? It was on the tip of your tongue, but you couldn't remember. Sarah, maybe?
You stand up and bend towards her so that she can light your cigarette. You see out of your peripheral vision the flame, and breathe in the smoke, but you don't hear the clicking of the lighter. You feel relief and the gnawing feeling of addiction fade as you puff a bit of smoke, and then you sit back down. The young woman invites herself to sit down alongside you, putting her hands in her lap and turning her body to face you. "I've never seen you out here before. Do you come out this early often?" she asks.
"Um, no. I usually work pretty late, but it's a slow night." You say, puffing out more smoke. "Sorry, I didn't even offer you a cigarette. There's some inside the diner. Do you want some?" you ask, pointing towards the lonely little diner.
The woman's face lights up, and she flashes a toothy grin at you. "Oh! No, thank you. I don't smoke. You work at the diner, huh? I guess that explains why you're all dressed up like that" she said, gesturing towards the red and white pinstripe dress and apron you wore. "I guess these days nobody would want to dress like that unless they were forced to."
You felt a tinge of embarrassment. "I mean, I guess..." you said. You didn't care for the uniform, but you always thought it flattered your curvy figure and made you look like some kind of pin-up girl. You puffed on the cigarette again.
The woman's smile disappeared as she noticed your embarrassment. "I like it. I do." she said. She looked at you meaningfully for a minute, trying to discern something from you by locking eyes. Her gaze was piercing. Her lower lip protruded as she thought for a minute.
She broke the silence a minute later. "I haven't been to a diner since I was a kid. I guess my parents didn't like the environment, because we never went back. Are you still open? Can I get a cup of coffee or something?"
You nod and stand up. You drop the cigarette to the pavement below and stamp it out. "Sure, I'll make you a cup. C'mon" you say. You lead her into the diner.
She has a big smile on her face as she enters, as though she's walking into a wonderland. You arch an eye towards her. It's bizarre behavior. For someone up at 3 AM, she certainly doesn't get out much.
"Alright, I'll make you a cup of coffee. Anything to eat?"
"No, I already ate" she said. "I've never had real coffee before. Do you put cream and sugar in it? How do you recommend it?" she asked, eagerly.
"I just drink it black, but you should probably put cream and sugar in it. It tastes terrible. What name is the order under?"
"Wendy" she says, smiling. There's something off about her.
You glance at the clock. It's almost 3:30 AM. You figure you'll make another cup yourself and have one with this Wendy. Not like you have other customers to get to.
You go to the back and begin heating up the water. As you begin to brew the coffee, you begin to think about where you might have met Wendy before. You were sure she wasn't the same girl from the theater. That girl might not have been a Sarah, but she was definitely not a Wendy.
You bring the coffee out to Wendy and slide it across the table. She grabs the mug with both hands awkwardly, and lifts it up to her mouth. "Mmm!" she exclaims, taking a big slurp. "It's delicious!"
"If you think that's good coffee, you should really take up smoking. That crap tastes like Marlboros do" you say, cracking a smile.
Wendy stares at you with big eyes. "Really? Can we get some after?"
You laugh, thinking she is joking. Your laugh disappears when you realize she was not.
It suddenly dawns on you that this girl is an Abner girl. Your realization turns to horror. You'd heard all of the rumors and assumed many were exaggerations, and even thought you'd seen an Abner about town a few times before. But you were face to face with one right now. You began to feel panic. The Abners had quite the macabre reputation. You heard that Mr. and Mrs. Abner went to a horror movie last year and shrieked with laughter the entire time while the rest of the audience cringed and screamed. You'd heard they were vampires or witches or something, too. Is that why Wendy was out at 3 AM? Your blood turned cold as you imagined her rising to drain your blood. Although... vampires don't drink coffee. Right? You consider getting the cook from his car, but you think running would only alarm the Abner.
"Barbara," she says taking another big sip. "I think you're cool. I'm glad we met each other. I think we should hang out more."
"Uh, yeah, ok" you say nervously. "I th-"
"Great! Let's hang out more right now. In fact, let's go to my house! My parents won't be happy that I'm bringing a friend over, but I know a way around that. I'll just have to cast a spell on you. Hold still, ok? I don't want to miss."
You turn and look to see if you can escape. The door to the back of the restaurant is too far, and you'd never make it away in time. You put your hands up as a light emanates from Wendy's hand, and you feel the sensation of falling before things get dark and fuzzy.
"Did it work? Oh no" you hear Wendy say before you pass out.
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