Suddenly he was over me. I should've known I could never run away from Daemon. Never.
"LEAVE ME ALONE!" I screamed, kicking at him, trying desperately to get away.
Daemon grabbed my legs and pulled me to him, then clutched a fistful of my hair and brought my face to his. "You won't be so lucky as your mother," he whispered gruffly in my ear, then tossed me aside.
I tried to get to my hands and knees, but all my blood was making it hard to get traction. I turned to him, defiant. "Mom ran away. Bet you hated that."
Daemon came in close, the stench of alcohol coming off him in stomach-churning waves. He chuckled darkly. "Your mother didn't leave me." He grabbed my arm and pulled me up so I could feel his spit on my face as he spoke. "I buried her-" NO! "-and you're next."

---

I feel like I can't stop moving. I run and I run and I run, but I can't get away from him. I'll never really get away from him. I'm not so lucky as my mom. I'll never truly be free of him. No matter how far I run away, I can't get free...
“Hey, Adira! Sweetheart, you're about to hyperventilate. Let's take a rest now.” Arela was holding my shoulder, stopping me in my tracks. It had taken that much to get through to me. I nodded and we made our way to a nearby boulder to take a rest. I didn't realize how hard I'd been running. And these thoughts...they didn't help. “HEY! Cheer up sweetheart!” Arela put her arms around my shoulders and shook me a little, smiling. How could I not smile back?
“Okay, I'm back to earth,” I rolled my eyes, knowing I'd make her giggle. “Now, what do you say we head back to the diner and force Lorne to make us some fries, hmm?”
Arela nodded fervently. “Oh, yes! Time to nab me some french fries!” And just like that, we were racing each other back up the trail, toward town, and to Haven's Diner.

Haven's Diner had always been a very special place. When Lorne and I were little, we'd peddle our way down to the diner and beg Haven to make us chocolate milkshakes and fries. He always gave us what we asked for, knowing full well we had no money and would probably never pay him back. He didn't mind at all. And as we got older and our problems got larger, he fed not only our bellies but our souls, offering advice or a hug or a bandage. I think he always loved us more than our dad did, and we loved him with all our hearts in return. He was family, and Haven's was our home.
As Arela and I pulled the doors open and stepped into the diner, a familiar feeling of warmth and safety rolled over me with the rush of air from the heater. “Ahhh,” I breathed. “Home at last.”
Arela immediately hopped her way over to the counter and bent over the cool tiles. “Get your butt out here and make me some french fries, Lorney-Dorny!” she called, turning back to me and waggling her eyebrows like some comic evil mastermind.
Lorne burst through the kitchen double doors sighing. “Would you PLEASE not call me that?”
“Hmmmm... Nope!” Arela laughed with abandon, her whole body shaking with her glee and mischief. I marveled at how she could be so carefree and happy. I didn't know if I'd ever really felt that way.
“So, fries then?”
“Yes, please!” Arela flashed him a wide, hundred dollar smile, and I saw Lorne forget all about her silly nicknames.
Hmmmm... I smiled internally.
Arela and I sat about chatting while Lorne prepared our crispy golden rectangles of goodness. Soon he was pushing a boat of fries and a bottle of ketchup our way, cringing visibly as we squealed in delight and showered him with thanks. “Okay!” Lorne exclimed. “Just eat your darn french fries!” We happily complied. In fact, I was just a munchin' away when the diner door opened behind me. I turned back—expecting to see one of the local teens or some old granny or something—and was completely surprised to see the most gorgeous guy walking toward me instead.
“Arela!” I forcefully whispered.
“What?” she replied back, confused.
“Look behind you.”
“...Wow.”

Notes

So, this is the first fanfic I've ever made that I've actually posted to a site. Usually I make them for my own personal enjoyment and no one ever sees them, but I was inspired by my darling friend icedragon456 to start writing my own for you! It hasn't been edited at all, but I was really anxious to get the first chapter out so I could help my friend with her story (I'll be doing a few chapters of her story for her while she deals with some medical stuff.) So here it is! Like, subscribe, rate, comment... Please feel free to do it all! I'd love to hear from you, especially since I did this first chapter in such haste. ...And in the middle of the night. :)

Have a fantastic Friday and wonderful weekend, Lovies!


**Note: Later you'll learn more about how Haven looks and such. Originally he was older, a little rockabilly, maybe with some scruff. You know, just this cool older dude who owns a retro diner and has a great smile and greater heart. ... But then I saw this one picture, and I had to make that my Haven. He just appealed to me. I just thought I should record that for all history. ;) Anyway, have a swell day!

--Lalagirl1995 <3


*****Note: 11/2/2013

Hey, Guys! If you happen to be reading this, I just added the Prologue at the beginning of this chapter. I wasn't happy with how boring the beginning was and how slow the story was going. I decided to do a revamp. Tell me if you think I should edit the existing chapters or just add more action to the new ones. Thanks so much, guys! I REALLY do want my story to be better. I'm okay with constructive criticism. If you wanna tell me my story sucks, please do! Just please tell me why, too, so I can fix it. Thanks a bunch. I hope you're having a wonderful weekend!

Love,

Lalagirl1995 <3