The thunder and lightning hits at the same time and then a dead silence follows ... and darkness.
I drop the tray with all the plates onto the floor and all I can see is the flickering candlelight in the diner and the people's faces that look like they are staring in front of them with horror.
The next lightning bolt cuts through the air, the thunder rolls and everything is lit up in a mesmerizing blue light. The rain starts pouring down.
Somebody in a raincoat exits the diner and struggles to keep upright in the storm. The next moment the lightning strikes again and the person tumbles to the ground .... laying dead still.
The man at table 6 jumps up and runs outside, bends over the still body. When he enters the diner again he says "He is dead, struck by lightning."
Thankfully the electricity comes on again. Can this night get any worse? That poor poor man. I think to myself.
The man at table 6 phones the police and they pitch up in a few minutes to remove the body of the man who did not stand a chance against the elements and force of nature.
I am tired and want to go home.
It is past 1 on New Year's morning and like the poor souls who spend their New Years in a diner, I also did not have any place to go. My housemates have gone home for the holiday, I stayed to work, since it beats sitting at home alone. I do not have any family worth mentioning, so working seemed to be the logical decision to take.
The man with the scar on his face at table 4 shouts "Hey sexy, pour me another brandy."
I hate serving drunk men, but what can I do, it is my job.
"So, where do you stay? Can I give you a lift?" he slurs his words.
I want to strangle him but stays polite and tells him that I have my own transport. When I walk away he tries to grab my ass. I sidestep him like a pro .... he is not the first drunk I had to deal with in the time I have been working as a waitress.
At table 7 sits an attractive, quiet man who has been keeping to himself the whole evening. I walk up to him and ask if he needs anything else, since we are closing up.
"You must be careful of men like that, they tend to cause problems," he says in a soft voice.
"Thanks you, but I can handle myself."
"I tell you what, I am a Detective in the Police Force, take my card and if you ever have any problems, do not hesitate to contact me. Detective Riggs. Nice to meet you."
I take the card and put it in my pocket. He makes me feel save. I smile and thank him and turn around to go and hear what the drunk man now wants.
At last the manager comes out and tell everybody to finish up. The drunk man 'falls' out of the diner towards his car, gets in and just sits there. I am quite sure he has passed out.
One by one the patrons start leaving and when Detective Riggs passes me, he gives me a warm smile and I know that this man would be there if I ever needed him.
The manager and I cash up and on our way out he asks again if he can give me a lift. "A girl alone on a scooter, in a storm, at 2 in the morning is not a good idea."
I assure him that I am okay and the storm has calmed down. He waits in the parking lot until I leave and out of the corner of my eye I see the guy from table 4 staring at me in his drunken daze - Chills run down my spine.
Luckily I do not live far from the diner and since the roads are quiet this time of night - most people are celebrating somewhere, or on holiday - I reach the house quickly.
I have 3 housemates, who is away, but I love staying with them. I smile when I think of all the fun we have.
I unlock the door and I could have sworn I saw a movement in the garden. Okay, you need so sleep. Starting to see things, I think to myself while quickly unlocking the door and making sure it is locked behind me.
I walk to the kitchen to get some milk before going to bed and then I see it... the wind blowing the curtains through the open window.
That is strange. I am sure I closed everything before I left. I think while walking to the window.
As I start closing the window, the lightning lights up the garden and I can see the man standing in my garden. Still. With a balaclava over his face.
I am in shock and struggle to close the window. He is coming closer.
I close the window and run to my room slamming the door behind me.
I hear the safety door being opened. Did I lock it or is he getting in by himself? I hear footsteps...
I look around in the room. There is only one option for me. Get in the cupboard and stay as quiet as possible.
I can hear my heart beat and can feel it trying to jump out of my throat. I have to concentrate not to scream.
The footsteps are in my room....
I suddenly realize that I have my cellphone with me and I still have Detective Riggs' card.
If there was ever a time to follow up on the invite of "Phone me when you need help" it is now.
My hands are shaking, but I manage to dial the number. Thank goodness it is ringing.
But how? What?
I realize that I do not only hear the phone ringing in my ear, but it is ringing in my room ........
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