Birthday Cake Waffle: Book 8 in the Diner of the Dead Series

by Carolyn Q. Hunter

  “What is this?” Sonja muttered.

  She had had visions before, visions of horrible things, visions of death. While this felt somewhat similar to those, there was something different. This time she felt strange, light—almost weightless.

  The sensation reminded her of an old amusement park ride she used to enjoy as a child. It was a simple green roller coaster that dropped off, did one large loop, and then came back up. She had been slightly too small for the restraints that rested over the shoulders, so when the carts had gone into the loop section of the track she would float for a second in her seat.

  She felt just like that, only for much longer than a second.

  Additionally, it seemed like she was looking down at the blurry figures as if she were floating above them somehow.

  A quiet meow drew her attention, and Sonja realized her little ghost kitten was floating next to her. “Hello,” she whispered. “What is going on?”

  Purring, the cat brushed against her, and to Sonja’s complete surprise, she could feel the softness of the cat’s fur on her skin. Reaching out with one hand, she pet the little animal, feeling every little bit of the cat’s fur on the palm of her hand.

  “How is that possible?” Sonja wondered aloud. “A-am I . . . dead?”

  As the picture below her came into focus she realized that she was in her room, and she was looking down upon her mother, her boyfriend . . . and herself. Only she was passed out on the bed in a pale, dead faint.

  Sonja couldn’t help but scream.

  * * *

  She woke up screaming, laying on her back on the bed. Two blurry faces hovered over her.

  “Sonja. Sonja, you’re okay. We’re here,” a calm male voice echoed.

  As her vision cleared, she saw her mother and Frank hunched over her. She blinked a few times and stared up into their worried eyes. Her boyfriend’s hand gently brushed her hair out of her face. “It’s okay, Sonj’. We’re here.”

  “W-what happened?”

  “You just passed out, that’s all,” Frank confided. “You gave us a bit of a scare.

  “How do you feel, honey? Does anything hurt? Do we need to go to the hospital?”

  Sitting up, Sonja groaned a little, but overall, she felt just as fine as ever. “I’m okay. Thanks.”

  “I knew this was a bad idea,” Diane fretted, twisting her hands together. “You can’t go on this trip. I won’t allow it.”

  “I’m fine, Mom,” Sonja insisted, standing up. She wasn’t about to let one dizzy spell ruin her birthday weekend.

  “Are you sure?” the worried mother asked stepping close.

  Sonja smiled at her mom and hugged her. “I’m fine. Really. I can take care of myself.”

  “Maybe you should listen to your mother,” Frank added, clearly a little worried himself.

  Letting go of her mother she turned to glare at her boyfriend.

  “Hey,” he put his hands up defensively. “I promised your Mom you’d be safe this weekend.”

  “We’re going on this trip,” she insisted. “I’ve been looking forward to it all week.”

  “Only if you’re sure,” Diane said.

  “I am,” Sonja replied, only partially telling the truth. She tried to push the strange experience of floating above her own body out of her mind. “I think I just got a little too warm. That’s all.”

  “All the more reason to step outside,” Frank insisted. “It’s nice and cool outside.”

  Grabbing her suitcase, he led the way out the door. The little ghost cat followed closely behind, clearly determined to accompany them on their trip.

  Sonja kissed her mom on the cheek and gave her one more hug. “Bye, Mom. Don’t stay up too late worrying about me.”

  “Just come home safe, dear.”

  “I will.”

  Letting go of her mother, Sonja headed for the door. She realized she was holding her right hand in a tight fist, and opening it she saw the necklace. Somehow, she couldn’t help but feel that her out-of-body experience was related to this little piece of jewelry.

  CHAPTER 3

  * * *

  Trying to push her birthday present, and any thoughts of ghosts or the supernatural, out of her mind, Sonja settled in for the ride. She was determined to enjoy this weekend away at a secluded cabin.

  Frank had already told her all about the rental. It was a supposedly built alongside a river in a part of a small community of cabins, most of them timeshares, that sat in a secluded spot away from most of civilization. It was at a fairly high elevation and they would have to make the treacherous and winding drive up through Winter Park to get there.

  Frank had rented a four-wheel drive vehicle for the trip instead of using his sports car, much to Sonja’s relief. She couldn’t imagine taking the steep icy grade up the mountain in that small car. She had nightmares of them going through the guard rail and off the side of the cliff.

  The drive took around two and a half hours, and when they finally came through Winter Park it was snowing again. A few farms lay spread out apart from one another along the final stretch of road leading toward the secluded community of cabins.

  “Looks like we’re going to need gas soon,” Frank commented.

  “Gas? Why didn’t we stop in Winter Park? Is there even a gas station out here?”

  “Yeah, the website said there was a gas station and convenience store on this road somewhere just before we reach the cabin.”

  “Well, thank goodness for that,” she commented, calmly leaning back in her seat. “And it’s a good thing I brought food. Otherwise, we just might starve out here.”

  Frank laughed quietly to himself. “Don’t you worry. I brought plenty of food as well. If anything, we’ll be overstocked for the weekend.”

  Soon, just as Frank had said, a gas station came into view. The little store sat on the left side of the road near a frozen river. More parking, in addition to the spots next to the single gas pump out front, was available just across the street against the tree line.

  Despite looking a little run-down, the gas station was sort of cute. It had Christmas lights still up, despite it being mid-January already, and they glowed in the windows in contrast to the quickly dimming sky.

  Pulling the car up next to the pump, the couple got out. “Looks like we’ll need to pay inside,” Frank commented. “No credit card reader out here.”

  Sonja nodded and followed her boyfriend inside. A mechanical chime sounded as they stepped through the glass door and into the interior of the station. At first glance, it appeared as if no one was there.

  Stepping up to the counter, Frank called out, “Hello?”

  “Be out in a second,” a voice replied from behind a curtain blocking off the doorway into the back room. A wooden door sat partway ajar in front of the curtain.

  As they stood there, Sonja glanced up at the large tube television mounted to the wall in the corner. She found that she was staring at herself in the image. Instantly, the memory of her out-of-body experience returned to her and she shivered, squeezing her purse where she had put the necklace.

  Luckily, this wasn’t anything supernatural. She was just being shown the picture on the security camera.

  Soon, the curtain parted and a man stepped out, pushing the door all the way open. He was young, probably no more than twenty-five, and had messy dark hair and a stereotypical five-o-clock shadow. He almost looked like the steamy doctor from a daytime soap opera—only if that doctor wore a blue jumpsuit. “Hi, folks. What can I do for you?”

  “I need a refill on my tank.”

  “Sure thing. How much do you want?”

  Frank pulled his wallet of his jacket and filed through the money inside. “Give me thirty.” He held the money out to the attendant.

  “Sure thing,” he replied, smiling and taking the money.

  “Be right back,” Frank announced, walking out to fill the car with gas. Sonja decided to stay behind and browse the snacks on display. She usually wasn’t much
for pre-packaged junk food, but every once in a while, she got a craving for something. Also, it was her birthday this weekend, so she felt okay snacking on something unhealthy for once.

  “You folks staying nearby or just driving through?” The attendant asked.

  Looking up, she smiled. “We’re staying in one of the cabins for the weekend,” she commented.

  “Oh really?” He leaned on the counter, picking up a toothpick from a little box near the register and chewing on it. “We don’t get a lot of visitors this time of year.”

  Sonja nodded. “Yeah. My boyfriend got a great deal on the rental, and it’s my birthday.”

  “Well, happy birthday to you, then.”

  “Thank you.” She felt herself blush slightly.

  “Yes, ma’am. I think we only have two other cabins filled up the hill, there. One is an older gentleman who stays all year round. Wilson, I think his name is. The other is a timeshare belonging to some couple from New York City.

  “New York City?” Sonja exclaimed. “I lived there for a little bit.”

  “Well, maybe you know them, then.” Taking the toothpick out of his mouth, he pointed with it.

  Sonja laughed. “I doubt it. New York is a big place and I only lived there for a few months.”

  “Ah,” the attendant nodded, putting the toothpick back. “Anyways, I think they’re taking a late Christmas vacation. They’ve been here since the first of the month.”

  “Sounds nice.”

  “I guess.” Leaning down behind the counter the attendant took out a package of nuts and popped them open. He tossed a few in his mouth and chewed.

  Sonja couldn’t help but feel that this was a man of contradictions. Besides his handsome face, his shaggy look and his nonchalant nature seemed to give him an almost intimidating aura. It reminded her of the stock character in horror movies, the one who usually warns travelers to not continue to the lake, or the cabin, or whatever horrible haunted place may be waiting just down the road.

  “Anyway, just to warn you, sometimes crazy things can happen this far out,” he said, almost as if on cue with her thought process.

  “E-excuse me?”

  “When you’re this far away from anybody, you’ve gotta be careful. That’s all. Sometimes the power goes down and won’t come back for days. Sometimes snow can trap people inside their cabins for weeks, and cell reception can be spotty depending on the weather.”

  “Oh,” she sighed, a little relieved that he didn’t have a story of an escaped inmate from a nearby asylum or murderous ghost to tell. “I see.”

  The door dinged and Frank came back in. “All filled up,” he announced.

  “Here’s your change,” the attendant announced, holding out the few dollar bills.

  “Thanks.” Frank took the cash and slipped it back into his wallet.

  “Anyway, if you two run into any trouble, any at all, go ahead and come on down here. I’ve got a two-way radio in the back room and emergency provisions.”

  “Thanks for letting us know,” Frank smiled. “My name is Frank, by the way. This is Sonja.”

  “I’m Balton,” he responded, shaking hands with Frank. “You need anything, you can count on me. Sometimes I’m the last hint of civilization out here.” Removing the toothpick from his mouth he tossed it in a nearby ashtray. Sonja instantly noticed a ring sitting in the tray as well. It had multiple diamonds set in it and looked very out of place for an ashtray in a middle-of-nowhere gas station.

  “Who’s ring is that?” Sonja asked, unable to stifle her curiosity.

  “Oh, that. I think it belongs to the lady from New York. Left it in the bathroom on the sink.” He nodded toward the restroom door behind all the snack shelves. “So, I’m keeping it safe here with me until she comes to get it.”

  “Safe?” Sonja questioned. He had just left it sitting there in the tray out front and unsupervised for anyone to take. “Don’t you have a lockbox or something you can keep it in?”

  “Hey,” he exclaimed. “That’s a good idea. I do have a lockbox back here. It’ll be a lot safer there.” Picking up the ring he pocketed it. “I’ll be sure to take care of that.”

  “And if we happen to run into them, we’ll tell them her ring is down here,” Sonja offered.

  “Oh, you don’t need to do that,” Balton replied with a sideways smirk. “She knows I’ve got it. She’ll probably be down for it later tonight or tomorrow morning.”

  CHAPTER 4

  * * *

  “Didn’t you think that was odd?” Sonja asked as they headed back toward the car, referring to the diamond wedding ring

  “That ring looked expensive,” Frank commented. “I’m not so sure he intends to return it.”

  “Well, what are we going to do about it?” she insisted.

  “We can inform the owners if we run into them. We can tell them we saw him with it. Besides that, there isn’t much. No official crime has been committed as far as we know, and I’m out of my jurisdiction here.”

  “I guess you’re right.” Sonja climbed into the passenger side of the car.

  “Let’s try to enjoy your birthday weekend,” he commented, getting in and starting the car.

  They drove back out onto the main road and then turned off at a thicket of trees labeled with a large wooden sign saying: Rocky Mountain Acres Cabins. The road led through the trees and up a winding incline for another few minutes. Finally, the first of the cabins appeared.

  “Wow,” Sonja exclaimed, admiring the grandeur of the rustic buildings against the snowy mountain landscape. The road of the community weaved in and out through trees, rocks, and inclines to a number of beautifully constructed cabins.

  “I think,” Frank commented, pulling out a printed piece of paper with the map of the cabins, “we’re up this way.” Turning the car, he pulled up one of the roads that made a circle along the trees and finally went up an incline. “Just at the top of this hill.” One cabin sat at the bottom of the hill where the incline began and the cabin they were looking for sat further up at the top of the hill. “That’s the one,” Frank exclaimed, pointing at the two-story cabin.

  Just as the car came to the end of the curve in the road and began the ascent, the tires suddenly slipped. For a second, the SUV slid backward and then stopped.

  “Be careful,” Sonja urged.

  “I am,” Frank replied, gently pumping the gas again. The car moved slightly forward again and then stopped. “Darn.”

  Pushing gently on the gas again, the car bobbed in place but refused to move.

  “Try backing up?” Sonja suggested.

  Shifting into reverse, Frank hit the gas again. Still, the car wouldn’t move. “I think we’re stuck.”

  “I’ll get out and push,” she offered, opening her door.

  “No, don’t do that. I don’t want you fainting again.”

  Sonja refrained from rolling her eyes but obeyed.

  “Here, get behind the wheel and when I say, gently hit the gas.”

  Clambering out, Frank stepped into a drift of snow that came up to his knees. “Well, that explains it. Our back tire got caught in this huge drift of snow.”

  “Can we get out?”

  Opening the back of the car he pulled out an extendable emergency snow shovel. “I came prepared,” he beamed, hoisting the shovel up to show her. Extending the handle until it locked into place, he began to dig out the snow surrounding the trapped tire.

  “Here, let me help you,” a voice shouted from nearby. Glancing up, Sonja noticed a middle-aged man, dressed in a heavy sweater, coming out of the front door of the cabin at the bottom of the hill. He carried a shovel in one hand.

  “Oh, thank you,” Frank replied. “I didn’t think anyone else was out here.”

  The man stood next to Frank and quickly got to work, digging the drift away from the car. “Just me and my wife.”

  A woman quickly followed, emerging from the cabin as well. She wore a similar sweater and her hair was pulled up in a bun.
“Do you need any help pushing out?”

  “Don’t worry, dear,” the gentleman called, throwing another shovel full of snow over his shoulder.

  The woman came out anyway, clearly determined to help in some way. “At least put your coat on, dear.”

  “Don’t worry, Harriet. We’ve almost got this tire completely dug out.”

  Glancing from the woman to the man and back to the woman again, Sonja noticed that the man had a gold wedding band around his left ring finger. The woman didn’t appear to have any ring on. Instantly, she knew this must be the couple from New York.

  “Try to pull out again,” the man called. “We’ll push.”

  “Okay,” Sonja replied.

  “On the count of three,” the man yelled. “One, two, three.”

  Sonja pushed the gas and after a few seconds, the car broke free. Not wanting to lose her momentum she drove the car the rest of the way up the hill and finally pulled into the driveway of the cabin.

  Getting out she saw all three people walking up the hill. “Thank you for your help,” she waved.

  “You’re welcome,” the gentleman said as he stepped up close. “My name is Don Connelly. Nice to meet you.” He held out a hand and Sonja shook it.

  “A pleasure.”

  “And this is my wife, Harriet.” He motioned to the woman walking up behind him.

  “Thanks. I’m not sure we could have gotten out on our own,” Frank commented.

  “No problem,” Don beamed. “We were just surprised to see someone else out here.”

  “Yeah, we took advantage of the great rental deals during the offseason,” Frank replied.

  “Well, good for you.” Don slapped him on the back.

  “I hear you two are from New York,” Sonja noted.

  Don’s brow furrowed slightly. “Yes. As a matter of fact, we are. Who told you?”

  “The attendant down at the gas station.”

  “Odd,” he folded his arms over his chest. “I don’t ever remember telling him that.”