It was one of those quiet autumn nights so common in campfire stories and have come to define Sallybrook’s breath. Outside, the night echoed of a ghostly silence, that aside from the wind humming past street lamps and trees, the streets within sight of the diner existed in a state of stagnant soundlessness. If people had passed by, they would have caught some muffled rhythm of vintage jukebox beats or a classic coffee machine, as those were the consistent elements unperturbed by the moans of haunted bodies. In this town asleep, the Moonlight diner is a harbour for those who find themselves still wandering.
For Rosaline, nights like these have become ones of solace and serenity. It was a peaceful routine she held on to, the quietness of an empty diner in the middle of the night lending room for casual chatters with any present staff and time for her to mull over the title of her next short story. The diner, like a proper space trapped in time, has also come to be its own distinct bubble in the greater Sallybrook scene. And as it is, perhaps a blessing, not too many things happen here. People come and people go, sometimes they stay a bit longer after they’ve relieved their hunger, but when they leave, they never leave their horrors behind.
Rosaline stood by the corner table, rag towel in hand, humming to the light tunes in her ear buds drowning out the echoing quiet. The tables are wiped now, the floor is clean, and no lights flashed in the distance outside the windows. She was now all alone, her solo shift not ending for another five or so hours, Rosaline went back to the counter and sat down, about to pick up her phone to change the song when the entrance door opened, interrupting the silence.
“Welcome,” she heard herself say before even looking up, as she swiftly collects her ear buds and turned towards the incoming customer who seems to have materialised out of nowhere. It was a man she’s seen at the diner before, she recognised him as one who seems to have recently moved into town for a stay that’s longer than any regular visit. She smiled at him, in the customary, well rehearsed manner and gestured him towards the empty tables. “Please, sit where ever,” she stood up and tucked her hair behind her ears.
“Long day, huh?” She chimed in after a pause, her smile now faded into a lazy grin. “Can I get you something to drink?”
