Knight Flyers

by Ann McCune

  “Well, I’m new in town, but I heard The Diner has pretty good food. Then depending on what Liz wants to do, I was thinking of bowling.” I wondered how he knew exactly the right thing to say to my dad.

  “What time are you going to have her home?” The gun was back together, and he checked the smoothness of the action as he opened and closed the bolt a few times.

  “She never told me what her curfew was, but I would say no later than eleven. If that’s okay with you, sir.”

  “I think that’s reasonable, Shawn. You two go and have fun,” Mom said, holding her arm out toward the front door.

  I jumped to my feet gave my dad a peck on the cheek. “Thanks, Dad. We’ll be good.”

  “You better be, or I’ll get the STD poster out again,” he mumbled, slumping in his chair.

  “Thanks, Mom.” I followed Shawn to the front door.

  “Have a good time but be careful.” She stopped at the hall closet and pulled out my down coat for me.

  “We will, have fun dealing with Dad.” I pulled the coat on and Shawn opened the door for me. Once we were outside I stopped and took a deep cleansing breath. “I’m so sorry, my parents are not used to me dating,” I said as he moved to stand next to me.

  “The rifle was definitely a first for me.” Shawn laughed. “Come on let’s go before he decides he needs some target practice.”

  “Good idea.” We walked to his Jeep, and he opened my door for me. My butterflies were still in full swing, but I remembered to hit the unlock button on the door handle to make sure his door was unlocked. He opened the door with a small grin on his face and got in.

  CHAPTER 12

  “What kind of music do you like?” Shawn asked, starting the Jeep, and turning the radio on.

  “Anything but country and I can deal.” I never understood country music and I never would.

  He smiled hitting a button on the stereo. “That’s a relief. You didn’t look like someone who listened to country, but when it’s all you have up here you can never tell.” A classic Green Day song came on the radio and I mentally started singing it in my head. “I had to beg my dad to let me keep the satellite radio subscription when it expired.” Shawn turned the music up.

  “You have satellite radio? I’m so jealous. All I have are the MP3s I downloaded on my phone. And my phone was smashed by the moose.”

  “I’ve been there. When I was twelve, we lived in this tiny town in Minnesota and they only had one radio station. I was going insane. I begged my dad for the satellite radio when we moved here because of that experience. So, is dinner at The Diner is okay with you?” He sounded nervous.

  “Sure, their food is really good. You’ll like it.”

  “Good,” he let out an audible breath as he drove down the road. “Tell me about the poster your dad was talking about.”

  “Oh my God, pray you never have to see it.” The images flashed in my mind and my stomach turned over.

  “Why?” he asked, looking at me from the corner of his eye.

  “It has these disgusting photos of STDs.” My stomach turned thinking about it.

  “Like people’s private parts?” He almost choked on his words.

  “Yes, it is the grossest thing I have ever seen.” I blinked and shook my head, trying to get the pictures out of my mind.

  “I’ll try and make sure I never have to see it.”

  When we reached the part in the road where I met the moose my knuckles tightened on the door handle and I looked frantically around.

  “Are you alright?” Shawn asked, looking over at me.

  “Keep your eyes on the road this is where I hit the moose,” I barked. I hadn’t been on this road in the dark since the accident.

  “Sorry, yeah, help me keep a look out.” Shawn turned his head back to look at the road.

  “I’m just paranoid. I don’t ever want to go through that again.” I looked down at my shaking hands.

  “I bet it was terrifying. I’ve never even seen a moose, but I’m sure I would be just as freaked out after going through what you did.”

  We came to the end of the dirt road and he turned onto the highway heading toward downtown. I looked out the window and stared at the half moon rising over the lake.

  “So, what do you do for fun up here?” Shawn broke the silence.

  “This time of year, there isn’t a lot. The snow is melting so the snow machining isn’t very good. The boys are going to spend half their trip trying to figure out how to stay in the snow. At the same time there is still too much snow to go four wheeling and the ice on the lake is too thin to go ice fishing. Bowling, and hanging out is all there is. After the ice on the lake breaks up we hang out at the lake or on the boat most of the time. I like to go hiking off the beaten path and camping. It probably sounds kind of boring to you.”

  He shook his head. “I love being in the mountains with clean air and animals to look at. I’m really looking forward to this summer. I can’t wait to be in the mountains instead of breathing in the smog of a big city.”

  I smiled, that was something we had in common. Most of the girls at school would jump at any chance they could get to get out of town and hang out in Denver. I hated it, there was just too much concrete and asphalt for me.

  “Whose boat do you go out on?” Shawn stopped in the middle of the road, put the Jeep into reverse and started to parallel park. He made it look easy.

  “My parents have a sail boat they keep in the marina and Billy’s dad has a power boat we wakeboard on.” He put the Jeep in park and turned to look at me. “How are you so good at parallel parking? It takes me fifteen minutes to get it almost right.”

  “I learned to drive in the city. You had to parallel park or you didn’t pass the driver’s test. I’ll teach you sometime if you want.” He smiled and turned the engine off. “Shall we?”

  “Yeah, I’m starving.” I opened my door and stepped out onto the icy road forgetting I had my mom’s boots on. I slipped but caught myself on the door and pulled myself up.

  “Be careful, it’s icy,” Shawn called and came around to my side and offered me his hand.

  “I know, I forgot I had these stupid boots on.” I regained my balance and closed the door. I looked at his offered hand and took it turning tomato red in the process.

  “Why did you wear them if you knew it would be icy?” he asked, as I teetered onto the icy sidewalk, it wasn’t much better than the road.

  “Aren’t you supposed to dress up for a date?” I asked and regretted it immediately. “I mean, I wanted to wear something different than I do at school.”

  “I forgot to tell you at your house, your dad was scaring me. You look beautiful.”

  I stopped walking and he stopped next to me. “Wow, thanks. You look nice too,” I said in a small voice. No one other than my family had ever called me beautiful before.

  When we reached the door to the diner I reached for the door, but he stopped me with a hand and opened it for me. “Thanks,” I said, going through the door, and trying not to blush.

  “Wow,” Shawn said, taking in the 1950s’ décor. The Twisted Pines Diner originally opened in the 1950s. Until the national park opened it had been everyone’s favorite greasy spoon that barely broke even. With the opening of the national park the owners had been able to remodel the inside but keep the same vibe. The walls were decorated with records and photographs of stars from the era. The floor was covered in black and white checkered linoleum. There was a long black and silver Formica counter with chrome accented stools covered in red vinyl. Booths lined the exterior wall with vinyl and chrome to match the stools at the counter. There was a miniature jukebox at every table with menus and a napkin dispenser.

  It was busy for a Friday night during mud season, over half the booths were full and there were a few people sitting at the counter. As soon as we were in the door, all conversation stopped, and everyone turned to stare at us. It wasn’t unusual for people to stop mid-sentence to see who was coming in during mu
d season, but normally the conversation only paused for a second before it resumed. Tonight, everyone stared at us without resuming their conversations. The only noise was coming from the jukebox playing In the Still of the Night.

  I groaned when I saw Tiffany walking toward us, I completely forgot her grandparents owned the restaurant and she worked there.

  “You guys can sit wherever,” she said, batting her eyes at Shawn before delivering the plates she was holding to the booth by the door.

  “Thanks,” Shawn said, taking my hand, and leading us to a booth at the back of the room.

  Everyone we walked by started whispering low to each other as we passed. What was the big deal? Couldn’t a girl go out on a date with the new kid in town? When we got to our booth I took my coat off and hung it on the coat rack at the end of the booth and Shawn did the same. We sat across from each other and everyone finally started talking normally again.

  “Was that weird or was it me?” he asked, in a low voice.

  “What’s the big deal?” I asked, agreeing with him. “I want to stand up and tell them all to mind their own business.” Everyone in town knew me, either because my dad was one of two doctors in town, or because they all came into the Gas N’Go at some point. It didn’t matter, I was allowed to go out on a date and not have people whispering about me behind my back. Then it dawned on me. “You know it’s probably because of the bruises from the accident, but still, can’t they mind their own business?” I pulled menus from behind the miniature jukebox and handed one to Shawn.

  He took the menu and opened it. “So, what’s good here?”

  “Everything, but their burgers are to die for,” I said, reading the menu even though I had it memorized. “Their shakes are good too.”

  We were quiet while Shawn read the menu. Tiffany came over after a few minutes with two glasses of water. “What can I get you?” she asked Shawn, not even giving me a glance.

  “You go first,” Shawn said, meeting my eyes, and ignoring Tiffany.

  “I’ll have the ultimate burger, medium, with fries, and a strawberry shake.” I closed my menu and put it back behind the jukebox.

  “Really? You’re going to eat all that? Aren’t you on a date?” Tiffany asked, her eyebrows so high they disappeared behind her bangs.

  I felt myself blush. What was I supposed to order on a date? Was there some unknown menu I needed to order from?

  “I like a woman who knows how to eat,” Shawn said, closing his menu. “I’ll have the same only I would like a chocolate shake instead of strawberry.”

  Tiffany shook her head then wrote it down. “I’ll have that right up.” She turned and walked away, putting a little more sway in her hips than the occasion called for.

  “Don’t let her get to you. I hate women who can’t be themselves on a date.” Shawn smiled and took a sip of his water.

  “I’m sorry, I’ve never been on a date before. I have no idea what I’m doing.” I put my elbows on the table and covered my hands with my face.

  “Don’t worry about it. I think you’re doing great.” His voice was upbeat and reassuring.

  “How do you figure?” I asked, bringing my hands down and resting them on the table.

  “I’m having fun. Are you?” He gave me one of his dazzling smiles that made his eyes crinkle at the corners.

  “If I could get over being embarrassed about everything I do I would be.” I half-laughed.

  “You’re overthinking it. We are just hanging out, having a good time, and getting to know each other.” He leaned back in his seat and rested his folded hands on the table.

  I took a deep breath and let it out. “Okay, I can do this,” I said, more to myself than to Shawn.

  “Are you ready for the history test next week?” he asked.

  “I think so, but I’ll do some cramming this weekend.” I didn’t want to talk about school, I wanted to find out more about dreams.

  “Yeah, me too but, maybe we could study together on Sunday if your dad doesn’t shoot me when I bring you home.” He half-laughed and drummed his hands on the table.

  “He won’t shoot you.” I laughed. “Unless I ask him to.”

  “Really? Remind me to stay on your good side.” He laughed back.

  “How are you able to do it?” I looked around the diner. Everyone had gone back to their conversations. “Invade my dreams.” I didn’t know how to talk about it with him. I wasn’t sure what to ask so I started with the biggest question.

  Shawn looked around making sure no one was in earshot. “I’m a Knight Flyer, like I told you, it’s a gift I was born with. The people in my family and others are the protectors of dreams.”

  “So, can Jo, Jeff, and Mary do it too?”

  “They can, but they’re still in training. Jo should be finishing in the next few months.” He was looking everywhere but at me as he spoke.

  “What’s wrong? Do you not want to talk about it?”

  “I do. I want to tell you everything, but if my dad finds out he’ll kill me.”

  “I don’t want you to get in trouble, but why you did move here? Twisted Pines is just another small mountain town.”

  “I have no idea why we moved here. He doesn’t think I am worthy of the information, but I’m happy we did.” He reached across the table and took my hand.

  “Me too,” I said just as Tiffany arrived with our food.

  “Can I get you anything else?” she asked Shawn, it looked like she undid a few of the buttons on her shirt and she pushed her chest out in Shawn’s direction.

  “Do you need anything?” he asked, moving around Tiffany’s breasts to see me.

  “No, I’m good.” I pulled a napkin out of the dispenser and unfolded it on my lap.

  “I think we’re good.” Shawn didn’t take his eyes off me.

  “Just give me a shout if you need anything.” She straightened, gave me a dirty look, and walked away.

  “She likes you,” I said, grabbing the catsup off the table, and putting some on my burger.

  “What makes you say that?” he asked, taking the catsup from me when I offered it to him.

  “Are you telling me you didn’t notice her boobs in your face? Besides, she couldn’t take her eyes off you, and she asked you all the questions. It was like I wasn’t even here.” I picked up my burger and took a bite.

  “Well, too bad for her I only have eyes for you.” He picked up his burger and took a bite.

  I almost choked on the food in my mouth. Was he for real? I felt myself blush for what felt like the hundredth time in the past hour. “Umm, thanks?” I wasn’t sure how to respond.

  He took a bite of his burger and gave me a closed-lipped smile. I smiled back. “How do you fight the mares?” I asked around a bite, keeping my voice low.

  He looked around before he started to talk. “Any way I can, when you’re dreaming, if you have control, you can manipulate it. So, if you need a gun, and can think about everything you need to make a gun work, you can manifest one in your dream. If you are good you can create anything you need.”

  “So, if the goblin comes back I can just think of a gun and shoot him? Isn’t that what you did in my dream the night we met?” I asked, taking a bite. I wanted to know how to fight the goblin in case he was able to get through my barrier.

  “Theoretically, yes, the mare I killed in your dream should have been sent back to hell. I don’t know if it’s the same one coming after you now or a different one. We don’t understand everything about them. We can’t exactly capture one and make him tell us his secrets.” He sucked on the straw in his milkshake.

  “So, what do I do if he gets through my barrier and you’re not around?” I asked, finishing the last bite of my burger, and sucking on my milkshake.

  “Run, hide, if that doesn’t work you will have to try and kill him. Are you familiar with any weapons?”

  “I’m good with guns, and a few knives but nothing too big.”

  “Good, then think of a gun and shoot it u
ntil it stops or one of us comes to help you.” He sucked on his straw until his shake made a slurping noise.

  “I think I can do that. Thanks, Shawn.”

  “You’re right that was one of the best burgers I’ve ever had,” he said, changing the subject. He leaned back in his seat when he was done.

  “I’m glad you liked it,” I said, leaning back, and smiling. Tiffany brought the bill over and I went to take it, but Shawn beat me to it.

  “I’m the one who asked you out, this is my treat.” He pulled his wallet out after reviewing the bill.

  “Thank you.” I was feeling shy, I forgot we were on a date. If this was how all dates went, I didn’t understand why it was such a big deal. It felt like I was just hanging out with one of the guys. Was there supposed to be a difference when you were out on a date with a guy instead of just hanging out?

  He put some cash on the table. “Are you ready?” he asked, moving to get out of the booth.

  “Yeah, I just need to go to the bathroom. I’ll be right back,” I said, sliding out of the booth.

  “Okay, I’ll wait here.”

  I got up and walked quickly to the bathroom, glad we were sitting towards the back of the restaurant, I didn’t have to walk by anyone I knew.

  As I was washing my hands I looked in the mirror. The bruises were finally fading, and the yellow and green were almost gone as well. I would be so happy when I could look in the mirror and see my old unbruised face looking back at me. My hair was starting to grow back where they had shaved it, but it was going to take forever for it to catch up with the rest. At least it was shaved on the side of my head, so I could cover it up with the hair above. I smiled at myself, making sure there wasn’t any food in my teeth then exited the bathroom.

  Tiffany was standing by our booth, leaning toward Shawn when I came out. I didn’t know why I agreed to go on a date with him. How could I compete with a girl like her? She was pretty and a senior. From what I had heard she had a lot more experience in the boyfriend department than I did, but no matter what I was feeling about the date, what right did she have to hit on him? I really wanted to punch her in the face, but then I would be banned from the diner, and would starve to death. I walked over to them and shoved my hands in my pockets to keep myself from involuntarily hitting her.