Hitch Hiker's Gift
Hitch Hiker’s Gift
Lillia scrubbed at her face, wincing slightly at the sharp heat that shot through her shoulder. Dammit, she hated him. Ever since her mom had died, the beatings had gotten worse. This time was different though. This time she had fought and ran. Now she was heading towards the only sanctuary she could; Pop’s Diner.
The diner was a small thing, only seating a few dozen at a time. It smelled of old grease, sweat and pie crust. The old jukebox squealed and crooned at random times. It was bliss. Lillia would go after school to do her homework and get some food before returning to her own personal hell.
“Hey there sweetheart. It’s a little late-” Pop’s voice cut off as he took a good look at her face. He rushed out from behind the counter. “What happened?”
Lillia tried to keep from meeting his eyes, but his gentle hands were insistent. The yellow fluorescents highlighted the already purpling bruise on her cheek and the dried blood on her split lip. She could see the concern mingle with anger and pity in his ice blue eyes. She knew he always suspected, but this was the first bit of proof.
“Come sit sweetie. I’ll get the first aid kit,” he said, motioning to the one of the seats at the counter.
Pops’ hands were gentle as he patched her up. When he was done his daughter, Milly, brought Lillia a cup of warm tea and a generous slice of peach pie. The teen tried to ignore the pity in Milly’s eyes but her hand still clenched. She didn’t want the woman’s pity.
“It’s almost insulting, isn’t it?” a voice asked from a couple seats down.
It was Jed, one of the hunters that came into two to sell meat and pelts. He was around her step-father’s age with salt and pepper hair and piercing amber eyes.
Lillia wanted to defend Milly but found herself agreeing. The concern she could handle, but the pity irritated her. “They are just trying to take care of me.” She said halfheartedly.
“And if they didn’t have to?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
She looked down at her pie, poking at it with her fork. “I’d prefer that.”
~~~
Two Weeks Later
Lillia’s step-father had made the mistake of letting her injuries heal. Jed had told her tonight would be the last night; she just had to be patient. That hope was the only thing that kept her going. Jed had warned her what was going to happen was going to hurt, like all of her pent-up anger was releasing all at once, then there would just be the feeling of release.
He wasn’t wrong. As the full moon came into view in her window, her body tensed. Bones cracked and shifted, pulling her muscles and stretching her limb. The pain was no worse than she had already endured at her step-father’s hand. This pain she could deal with. She almost welcomed it.
“Lillia, what the hell are you doing up there?” her step-father’s voice called out from the bottom of the steps. It was followed quickly by the sound of his feet.
Lillia grinned, her long curving teeth gleaming in the silver light. Come on, let’s play.
~~~
Jed was waiting for her on the side of the road, his truck running. He held out a damp towel and a robe. She scrubbed the towel across her face, the white terry cloth coming away crimson. The robe slid across her skin, barely a whisper against her.
“Thanks.” She said, licking her teeth self-consciously.
“Open.” He said, grabbing her chin.
She did, showing him her teeth. He hummed in approval and let go.
“Come on, little one. Let’s go home.” He walked around the front of the truck and slid in.
Lillia looked back towards her house, taking it in one last time. That had been home once. But that was a long time ago with a woman who had long since rotted.
