3 months had passed since the accident, Alice learned to create herself a new normal. A gut feeling told her things would never be quite normal after such a thing, she decided to embrace this. She was now much more quiet and reserved, choosing to keep her thoughts to herself. Her parents decided to blame it on PTSD from the accident, eventually she would go back to her old self. Time had been moving quickly, these past few months were a blur, as if some mysterious force was messing around with the remote control, fast forwarding through the dull moments. In May she had finally graduated, she turned 18 on June 1st, the fire was on June 2nd, and now fast forward to present day - September 1st. She was 18 without a job or a plan, she was the only survivor that day. The company gifted her a large payout - $30,000, fearing the young girl would sue. The first responders were quick to notice the sprinklers never went off, letting the building blaze in glory without anything to stop it. Now 18 years old, the money was rightfully hers, and deep down her parents feared the inevitable. The months did pass by quickly but it gave her time to plan, and soon she would make her next move.
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Alice truly did not want to hurt her parents, their only daughter leaving the flock forever - but she couldn't bear to stay in that small little town in New York any longer. It was the only place she knew, where she was born and raised, where she knew every single person, she could even recognize the damn animals. Leaving the house was torture now, and she did her best to avoid it at all costs. The rumors, the cruel words thrown her way were horrendous.
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Oh you poor thing, it's a miracle you survived - How the hell did she survive? - It must of been her! She knew that bathroom would save her - All those poor souls lost and she's just letting herself wither away - It should of been her, not my sweet boy!
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She wanted - no, needed a fresh start, somewhere far away. A big city would kill her, another small town somewhere small, somewhere like this but more beautiful, more to take in. Something was drawing her farther north, another gut feeling she just had to listen to. Goodbyes were pointless, so strung out and depressing. She was an adult, she could do as she pleased and didn't need some sappy ending to this chapter. Slowly packing for months now, so secretly as to not set anyone off to her plans, on the night of September 3rd she would start a new chapter and leave this place forever, forever seemed so permanent but she knew she'd never have a reason to return.
Mom & Dad,
I didn't want to have to do this way, but I know doing it in person would only hurt worse. I promise I'll keep in touch, but you must know I have to leave. I love you both more than anything, and I'll be back before you know it.
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A white lie never hurt anyone. As the sun set she filled her car with her belongings, a black 2016 Jetta GLI her parents had gifted her for her 16th birthday. Climbing in she took a deep breath, carefully thinking over if this would all be a big mistake or not. Turning her head over to the passenger seat she noticed the ashy clothes the police department had dropped off weeks ago from the fire, angered by the haunting memories she tossed them into the backseat, a small folded white piece of paper slipped out of the back pocket of her jeans. Opening it with trembling hands, reading the words sent chills down her spine. I'll see you soon, love
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Everything came flooding back in an instant - the moments before she lost consciousness , the text, those words. She remembered at last. Relief was soon replaced by fear. Is someone watching me? This only assured her more that she was making the right decision, she had to get as far away from there as possible.
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The drive was long, at least 7 hours, but she proudly made it through without even a single stop to rest. She was driven, excited even to start anew.
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Now entering Lincoln, Maine
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Seeing the sign thrilled her as she continued on. This would be her new home, her fresh start. Lincoln is a small town in Maine located in Penobscot county, with a population of only 5,000 this was exactly the place she was dreaming of. This was somewhere she could be happy and work on herself. Alice had big dreams, which came alive as she entered the city limits.
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Alice was now on the way to her new home, blue eyes wide and bright with excitement. Her new home being a cozy cabin on the edge of town, full of all the amenities she would need; heat and hot water, washer and dryer, plumbing, more than usual for any typical cabin. The old couple who owned the place had lived there for most of their lives, with no children to pass it down to they decided renting it out was also a good option.
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Settling into her new home, everything felt just right. The mysterious note and that stupid text message dawned on her, she could feel safe here, she just had to.
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The next morning Alice woke up bright and early, her goal for the day to return to normality. She decided to try out a small diner in town, not a diner, more of a gas station convenience store with a diner inside, a little bit of everything. It was definitely a local spot, all eyes turning to her as she walked through the doors. Was she new to town or just on vacation? One lucky soul would try to crack the code and discover all of her.
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Before she could even order, that soul took its form in the figure of a tall slender man, around her age, rocking the tightest black jeans she'd ever seen and a pastel Nirvana tee. "Hey there, new to town? You're gonna need a friend, girl-"
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In a robotic voice she spurted out , "I have a boyfriend-" Still so used to having to fight off creeps at her old job. "I'm sorry, just habit-" He laughed, an infectious, calming laugh she definitely wanted to hear again. "Oh don't worry sweetie, I have a boyfriend too."
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She couldn't help but laugh in unison , the two standing together as they ordered their coffee. The mystery man had a calming presence, one she decided she would keep close. Was she really making friends already? Maybe this was the right decision.
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They sat at a small table in the corner, his eyes wide with excitement, he would drill everything he wanted out of her. It was what he did - what Ryan did, he wanted to know everything, her story. Everyone had a story, some more interesting than others. It was all just a part of the friend initiation. He drilled her for about an hour, but none of it felt pressured. She felt oddly comfortable talking to him. He only asked the basics for now: Where are you from? Why did you choose to come here? Any family? What music do you listen to?
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The hour passed quickly, and soon they would both need to split up and begin their days. Before leaving in a somewhat rushed manner, she asked a question she normally wouldn't, too thrilled to have an actual friend, "Hey! How would you like to come to my place tomorrow night? Maybe some drinks and you can tell me a little more about the area?"
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"That sounds fantastic, darling! But I am bringing a friend and you have no say in the matter, you'll love her, just trust me-"
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Without putting up much of a fight she simply nodded in agreement.
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