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People liked to watch her. That was probably one of the few things Celia hated about living in Value.
Everyone knew her as the girl who had been kidnapped by Charlie Lake twenty years ago. Just like Bailey Moore was the girl abducted by Charlie four months ago. No doubt they watched Bailey, too.
Some speculated her uncle had been a pedophile, and she had been his victim. A few less socially well-adjusted citizens of Value had asked her if that was true. Jerks.
Some just wanted the gruesome details of whatever she’d supposedly endured.
Some just wanted to look and point.
Celia told herself that that was probably all that was going on now. Still, she hated feeling like a coward.
It was just a red truck.
That was all.
Just a red truck heading down Main Street.
She'd seen it before several times. Something about it just didn't feel right. When it circled the block again Celia looked around and realized no one else was around except for Mr. Schumacher clear at the end of the street. She wasn't stupid.
Celia opened the first public door she passed and stepped inside. Once inside, the cool rush of air hit her. And she realized that she had never been inside the minuscule two room building where Jake Dillon spent half of his time.
The baby was fussing nearby. She looked around the corner and saw the back half of Jake's wheelchair. She could hear him as he softly sang a lullaby. Some of the fear plaguing her dissipated. He called out that he would be with her in just a moment.
"Take your time, Jake. I'm in no rush.” She wasn't about to leave as long as that red truck was out there. Maybe she was just being foolish—but her sister had called her three hours ago, afraid she’d been murdered.
That left an impression.
Jake came rolling into view, his baby snuggled on his lap.
Jake smiled at her, “Hello, Celia. Welcome to the Value Public Library. I am your librarian—this is my trusty assistant." His hand was steady on his son as he used his other hand on the remote of the chair. "How can we help you?”
"I—I got nervous. After what happened at my sister’s this morning. There was this red truck...he circled around the block a few times. Staring. I think I may have overreacted."
“You should. Did you get the license plate?”
“No. I wasn’t thinking.”
“I’ll let Bailey know.”
"I'm sure I'm just being a bit overly sensitive, but...”
"Well, Ms. Lake, the young Mr. Dillon and I were actually on our way to the diner to grab lunch. Well...to grab lunch for me and possibly mashed potatoes or peas for him. Would you like to join us? Liam is a great conversationalist."
Celia had been on her way to the diner. She nodded yes before she could think about refusing any longer.