The Diner at the Edge of Nowhere

Leah's stomach twisted, a sharp reminder that she hadn't eaten anything except that pathetic piece of burnt toast.

She sighed, eyes scanning the roadside. She needed food.

A few miles later, a flickering neon sign appeared through the fog"Marlie's Diner."

It looked old, almost abandoned, but the "Open" sign buzzed weakly in the window. Good enough.

Leah pulled into the lot, gravel crunching beneath her tires. Inside, the place was nearly empty, save for an older waitress behind the counter and a single man sitting in the farthest booth. He didn't look up.

She slid into a booth near the window, grabbing a sticky menu. Everything felt... off. Like stepping into a place where time had forgotten to move.

The waitress, a woman in her late fifties with tired eyes, approached. "What can I get you, hon?"

"Just coffee and whatever's hot," Leah said.

The waitress nodded but hesitated, eyeing her closely. "You passing through?"

Leah paused. "Yeah."

The woman frowned, like she wanted to say something. But instead, she just scribbled on her notepad and walked away.

Leah tapped her fingers against the table.

Weird.

Something about this place felt like a warning.