CHAPTER 4
LUCY IKO'S DINER

　
TODAY　
　

　　IF FREYA OLESON WAS BEING completely honest, she was disappointed that she and Eben weren't going to be spending any time together tonight. They went up to the ridge to watch the sunset every year, so breaking tradition this year was silently shattering her heart into tiny pieces. But she tried to ignore how she felt, focusing her attention on her son, who she picked up from her parents house just moments ago.

　　"So, did you have fun with your grandparents today?" Freya asked, glancing in the rearview mirror at her son, who was reading one of his many Incredible Hulk comics in silence.

　　Ben nodded, brown curls bouncing slightly. "Yeah, it was okay. We played out in the yard and made a snowman. Then, we had some cocoa and I helped Grandma make some cookies. We even watched a movie."

　　"That sounds like fun," Freya commented with a smile. "What movie did you watch?"

　　"Toy Story," Ben replied.

　　Freya's smile grew, knowing that has always been one of Ben's favourite films growing up. They used to watch it on repeat when he was younger, but now they watch it at least once a month together. It was a classic that even Freya and Eben enjoyed. The secret adult humor always made them smile and laugh.

　　Ben changed the subject after that, a hopeful gleam in his eye that his mother couldn't see because she was driving. "Is dad coming to dinner with us?"

　　"Not this time, sweetheart," Freya replied, her words bringing a frown to her son's face. "He's gotta work. It's just gonna be us, aunt Sarah, Gale, and Jake. But we'll bring something back to the station for him and Grandma Helen, okay?"

　　"Okay," Ben sighed, his voice laced with sadness. He was hoping that his dad was at least going to have dinner with them considering he already missed breakfast this morning. But that wasn't going to happen. He had gotten his hopes up for nothing.

　　Freya's heart tightened when she heard the sadness in his voice. "I'm really sorry, sweetheart," she frowned. "Your father just has a lot on his plate today. People are causing him and Billy a lot of trouble this year. I'm not even sure when he'll be home tonight. But I promise you, we'll stop by the station and hang out for a little while, okay?"

　　Ben nodded silently, catching his mother's gaze in the rearview mirror for only a moment before she focused on the road again. He didn't say anything else for the rest of the trip, only speaking again when they swung by the station and picked up Jake for dinner. His uncle slid into the backseat beside him, immediately reaching out to ruffle his hair with an amused smile.

　　"Hey!" Ben complained as he leaned away from his uncle, though he couldn't help but laugh some.

　　"Hey!" Jake imitated.

　　In the front seat, Freya shook her head and chuckled at their behaviour, before lightly pressing down on the gas pedal and pulling away from the station. By the time they made it to Lucy Iko's Diner, Jake and Ben were fully engrossed in a conversation that led to an argument about who was the smartest Avenger. Jake believed that it was Tony Stark meanwhile Ben remained confident that Bruce Banner had the bigger brain.

　　They all got out of the car, and even when they went inside, Jake and Ben were still arguing about who was the smartest. Freya thought it was rather adorable how much they loved Marvel comics. Their seemingly endless conversations and arguments regarding the characters within them always made her smile fondly. She didn't know much about Marvel comics other than what Ben has ranted on to her about over the years, but they reminded Freya so much of when she was a young girl and would constantly ramble on about Wonder Woman with her sister.

　　Freya turned away from the arguing boys and greeted Lucy, who was standing behind the counter taking someone's order on a notepad. The kind Iko woman returned the smile and gave a small wave as they passed the counter and collapsed in a booth by a window. She picked up a menu as the boys continued their discussion, trying to decide what she wanted.

　　Not much later, Sarah Robbins arrived with young Gale in tow, and Freya immediately got up from the booth to greet her sister with a hug. "How are you?" she asked.

　　"I'm good," Sarah replied. She looked down at the booth and smiled at the boys, who had finally stopped arguing and were now silently reading one of Ben's newer issues of an Incredible Hulk comic book together. "Hey, boys."

　　"Hey, Aunt Sarah," Ben greeted whilst Jake just smiled politely from beside him.

　　Sarah quirked a brow. "What, no hug from my favourite nephew?"

　　At her words, Ben quickly scooted out of the booth and got up, wrapping his aunt in a hug. Sarah chuckled lightly and hugged back, kissing the top of his messy head of dark curls before pulling away and letting the boy go back to enjoying his comic books.

　　Sarah shed off her jacket and threw it into the booth. "So, where's Eben?"

　　"He won't be able to make it," Freya frowned slightly as she finished hugging her petite niece. "People are causing Eben and Billy all kinds of trouble this year, unfortunately."

　　Sarah nodded. "What about Helen and Stella? They didn't wanna join us?"

　　Freya shook her head. "Helen has to stay back at the station to answer the phones and Stella . . ." She glanced at her wrist watch. "She should be on her way to the airport."

　　"Speaking of which," Sarah said as she plopped down in the booth. "Would you mind watching Gale for me while I take mom and dad to the airport?"

　　"Of course," Freya smiled as she plopped down in the booth beside her sister, meanwhile Gale scooted in close to Ben and started reading some of the comics that the boys were fully engrossed in. "What time do you gotta leave?"

　　"Uh," Sarah glanced at her wrist watch. "I'm good for about an hour yet. Then, I gotta go pick them up and get going. Where should I meet you guys after?"

　　"I promised Ben we'd hang out at the station for a little while," Freya replied, to which her sister nodded. She then leaned in close, lowering her voice so that only Sarah could hear. "Eben has been working so hard lately and I think it's starting to finally get to Ben." Sarah frowned, her gaze drifting off toward her enthusiastic nephew who was currently showing Gale one of his new issues of the Incredible Hulk. "He just wants to spend some time with his father, but Eben's been working so hard lately that he doesn't have the time to even sit down for a proper meal with his family."

　　"Have you talked to Eben about it?" Sarah whispered back. "I mean, maybe he can take a few days off from work or something."

　　"Yeah," Freya nodded. "Eben wants to try and get some time off to spend with us, maybe go on a little trip or something. But, he won't be able to take any days off for another month yet because he and Billy will be on call for the Dark."

　　"I'm sorry," Sarah frowned.

　　Freya shrugged in response, but before she could say anything, Lucy Iko had made her way over to their booth with a notepad and pen in her hand and a signature sweet smile plastered across her freckled face. "Well, if it isn't my favourite group of customers."

　　"Hey, Lucy," they greeted.

　　"How are we all doing this evening?"

　　"Good," young Gale responded on behalf of them all with her adorable toothless smile shining ever so brightly.

　　"Well, that's good," Lucy said, bopping the little girl on her freckled nose with the end of her pen, which caused Gale to giggle. "So, what can I get everyone? Wanna start with drinks or are you ready to order?"

　　After sharing a look with everyone, Freya flashed Lucy a friendly smile. "Hot cocoas and burgers all around, please, Lucy. And, if you wouldn't mind, I'd like to take Eben a burger and Helen a salad when we leave."

　　"You've got it," Lucy replied as she wrote everything down on the notepad balanced in her left hand. "I'll make sure to have Eben and Helen's orders ready for when you leave. You want some coffee for them?"

　　"Coffee will be great," Freya nodded. "Actually, make that three. I'm sure Billy will appreciate some as well. Those three have a long night ahead of them."

　　"Alrighty." Lucy wrote everything down before glancing toward the eight-year-old who was swinging her feet as she sat at the booth and read comics with Ben and Jake. "And I'll be sure to add some extra special cinnamon to your cocoa, Gale."

　　The little girl beamed up at the fiftyish woman. "Thank you, Ms. Lucy!"

　　"Of course! Anything for my favourite customer," Lucy smiled brightly as she reached out to affectionately ruffle Gale's hair. She then tucked her pen inside the pocket of her old apron and tore off the page of the notepad to pass on to the chef. "I'll be right back with your cocoas."

　
━━━━━
　

　　STELLA KEATON WAS IN A HURRY, to say the least. The plane leaving Barrow would be taking off soon and she couldn't afford to miss it. If she did, she would be stranded in Barrow for the whole month, and she really didn't want to be trapped in her hometown for the annual thirty consecutive days of darkness. She had a home waiting for her back in Anchorage; several house plants, her cat named Socks, and even a loving boyfriend who would be picking her up from the airport when her flight landed.

　　But, unfortunately, her boss had shipped her off to Barrow on a last minute job twelve hours before the town would close for the month. She had been tasked with inspecting and testing the foam fire-fighting tanks housed in Barrow's own small fire station. It was a job that could have been done over two months ago but, for some reason, her boss only told her about it this morning and she had to rush to get to Barrow on time to conduct the inspections and tests that needed done. And now, because of it, she might not make her flight.

　　She passed a few people on the snowy streets as she drove through town, but Stella waved to no one. She was too focused on getting to the airport on time, angrily slamming her boot down on the gas pedal and correcting the steering wheel when the 4x4 slipped out from under her. And then, a shadow emerged from the night.

　　Stella gasped and jolted in her seat, foot easing on the gas a little, but the woman relaxed when she realized that it was only the teacher⎯⎯a huge truck mounted by tracks instead of tires and bearing a massive chainsaw on its nose. It was a sinister looking vehicle driven by none other than the incredibly kind Malekai Hamm.

　　"My right away," Stella muttered. And yet, still, she eased up on the gas some more. Years of driving in the snow had sharpened the woman's instincts. She was going to make sure that Malekai saw her before she even attempted to make the turn.

　　The treacher suddenly started flashing its headlights and honking at her, and for a split second, Stella thought Malekai might have recognized her and wanted to chat. But when the flashing and honking got more panicked and the vehicle wasn't stopping, she realized what was happening. But she didn't have time to prepare herself as the massive vehicle rammed into the side of her 4x4.

　　Stella held her breath and tensed up as it happened, everything you shouldn't do in an accident. But she didn't have time to think about what she should do. The treacher had rammed into her 4x4 so hard that it threw her against the window and then jolted her from side to side as they slid backwards and came to a shuddering halt in a large snowbank.

　　Despite having come to a stop, Stella remained in her seat. She closed her eyes, taking a few deep breaths as she tried to calm her racing heart. Then, she unbuckled her seatbelt and had to shove her arm into the door several times before it finally fell open. She jumped out into the snow, coming around to the front of her 4x4 and frowning at the damage that the treacher had done.

　　The impact had completely torn up the metal and scuffed the paint, and the framing was bent in some places. Her front tire had been torn to shreds by the vicious chainsaw at the nose of the teacher. Even the wheel arch was fucked up as well. There was no way her truck was going to make it to the airport on time. No fucking way.

　　With anger surging through her veins, Stella swiveled to the right and started shouting her frustration. "Damn it, Malekai! Don't you know what 'right away' means?"

　　Malekai jumped down, swiftly landing in the snow and approaching the woman with apologetic eyes. "I'm sorry, Stella, the brakes jammed."

　　Stella looked at the treacher and rolled her eyes when she saw that the vehicle hadn't suffered any damage whatsoever. "Well you're alright!"

　　"Eben wanted this back from the airport before the storm hits, I was just trying to⎯⎯" Malekai stopped talking when Stella shook her head and walked away to the back of her truck, where she grabbed a carry-on bag. He turned away with a sigh, surveying the damage done with a guilty expression.

　　"I, uh, didn't even know you were in town," Malekai nervously shifted on his feet when he noticed that Stella was muttering angry words to herself while grabbing more of her possessions from the front of the 4x4. "So . . . how've you been? I haven't seen you around much since you started working for the State Fire Marshal's office."

　　"I've been fine," Stella replied, her voice hardening around the edges due to the frustration that was quickly settling in her bones. She turned around with a huff. "So now who's gonna run me to the airport?"

　　Malekai scratched the back of his head. "Well, my mom could bring the tow truck. But, uh, you know she doesn't move so fast."

　　"Thanks, Malekai," Stella said. Her anger was still there, bubbling beneath her veins like a pot of boiling water on a stovetop, but she tried her best to keep it at bay. She knew that Malekai hadn't meant to run her off the road, but still, she couldn't help but be frustrated with him for making her even more late for the airport.

　　Stella stepped away, pulling out her cellphone. She dialed some numbers and three rings later, Eben answered. "Hey, Eben, it's Stella."

　　"Stella?" Eben was confused. "I thought you left for the airport like an hour ago?"

　　"I did," Stella said. "But I'm stuck on Ransom and 355. I've had a fender bender with Malekai, the airport will close soon, and then I'll never get back to Anchorage. So, uh, any chance you can do your friend a solid and give her a ride to the airport?"

　　"Wish I could but Helen just got another call and I've gotta go check something out. Sorry, Stella," Eben apologized. "But, uh, hold on a sec." She could hear him shuffling around and then the sound of a car door opening followed by some distant shouting. "Billy! Hey, Billy! Stella's stuck at Ransom and 355; can you get her to the airport before the plane leaves?"

　　Stella bit her lip as she anxiously awaited Billy's response, praying the man would say yes. She'd hate to ask Freya, knowing the woman was probably working with some patients or at home having dinner with Ben.

　　A moment passed before it sounded like Eben had closed his car door. "Alright, uh, Billy said he can come and get you. Just sit tight, he'll be there soon."

　　Stella sighed in relief. "Tell Billy to hurry his ass up," she said, her words making Eben chuckle. She was only half-joking, though. She really did need Billy to hurry up.

　　She heard the car door open again. "Hey, Billy! Stella says to hurry your old ass up!" Eben laughed at something that Billy had mostly likely said before ending the call with a short goodbye, "He's on his way now. Have a good flight, Stella. Talk soon."

　　"Thanks, Eben," Stella replied. "Give Freya and Ben my love, okay? I never got to tell them goodbye earlier because I was so busy at the station."

　　"Will do. See you, Stella."

　　She hung up and stuffed her cellphone inside her jacket pocket. Turning, she noticed that Malekai was kneeling down beside her rental truck, pointlessly touching the damaged areas of the 4x4. Stella came to his side, getting a closer look for herself. She shook her head. It would definitely need a tow.

　　Stepping away from the 4x4, Stella started surveying the treacher for any damage, to no avail. The vehicle didn't even look like it had just been in an accident. It was completely unscathed, and that only made her more frustrated. The treacher is fine, and yet, my truck belongs in a junkyard. Just my fucking luck.

　　From behind her, Malekai was dialing a number into his cellphone. Stella quickly realized it was his mother when she heard him asking for a tow back into town and continuously apologizing like a dog with their tail between their legs.

　　Stella turned away to give him some privacy, pulling out her flashlight and shining it around the treacher until she finally saw something. She crouched to get a closer look, discovering that it was a pipe hanging down and almost touching the ground. There was liquid dripping from the end, darkening the snow. That can't be right, she thought.

　　Laying down on the ground, Stella climbed beneath the treacher to get an even closer look at the pipe. There, she discovered that the brake cable was hanging down as well. And while she was no expert on cars, it didn't take a genius to know that it had been cut. Someone had obviously tampered with the treacher, but why?

　　With a frown, Stella got up from the ground and started brushing the snow from her arms. She pocketed her flashlight before checking her watch and pacing the snow. She hoped that Billy Kitka would hurry the fuck up.

a/n: well, that was a longer chapter. but you have all earned it for being incredibly patient with me tbh! i hope you all enjoyed it and are excited for more bc things are escalating quickly and we'll be getting to the vampires soon enough hehe 👀 also, if anyone can spot the once upon a time reference that i couldn't help but make in this chapter, i will literally love you lmao