Forks settled around Renee slowly, like a damp blanket pulled up to her chin.
The motel wasn't terrible—just temporary. The bed was narrow, the carpet permanently damp-smelling, and the rain never quite stopped tapping at the window. Still, it was shelter, and that mattered.
Renee sat cross-legged on the bed, notebook open, pen poised.
FORKS PLAN
1. Job
2. Place to live
3. Blend in
4. Observe
The system pulsed faintly, acknowledging the intent.
[STATUS REMINDER]
[Stability Rating: TEMPORARY
Recommendation: Secure Income Source]
"Tomorrow," Renee murmured. "We start tomorrow."
---
Morning came gray and mist-heavy. Renee tugged on a sweater and followed the smell of coffee into the local diner.
She didn't rush. Rae had learned long ago that listening first got you further than talking.
"…café on Main Street's short-staffed," a waitress said near the counter, refilling mugs. "Owner's been pulling double shifts for weeks."
Renee's ears perked up immediately.
She finished her coffee, thanked the waitress, and headed out into the drizzle.
---
The café on Main was warm in a way the diner hadn't been—wooden tables, big windows fogged by steam, the faint scent of cinnamon and yeast lingering beneath the coffee.
Renee took a steadying breath and stepped inside.
The owner—middle-aged, practical, tired but sharp-eyed—looked up from behind the counter. "Can I help you?"
"Yes," Renee said, smiling. "I heard you might be looking for help."
The woman studied her for a moment. "You have experience?"
Renee nodded. "Baking and cooking. I've done early mornings, inventory, prep, customer service. I'm reliable, and I don't mind starting at the bottom."
That earned her a raised eyebrow. "Not many people say that."
"I mean it," Renee said simply.
The owner sighed, rubbing her temples. "I can't promise anything yet. Come back tomorrow morning. We'll talk."
It wasn't a yes.
But it wasn't a no.
---
Renee stepped back outside, rain misting her hair, heart lighter than it had been in days.
That was when she spotted Charlie Swan across the street, locking his cruiser.
She hesitated—then decided not to overthink it.
"Hey," she called softly.
He turned, recognition flickering across his face. "Renee, right?"
"That's me." She smiled. "Small town."
He chuckled. "You settling in?"
"I might be," she said. "I just talked to the owner of the café here. Fingers crossed."
Charlie nodded thoughtfully. "She's good people. Works herself too hard."
Renee hesitated, then asked, "Do you happen to know if she rents out the apartment upstairs? I'm trying to avoid the motel situation."
Charlie's brows lifted slightly—not surprised, just impressed. "Yeah, actually. It's been vacant a while. If you're working there, she'd probably consider it."
"That's good to know," Renee said, relief warming her chest. "Thank you."
The system chimed softly.
[RELATIONAL NODE UPDATE]
[Charlie Swan:
Trust Level: STABLE → DEVELOPING
Interaction Outcome: MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL
Note:
Host initiative recognized. Timeline integrity maintained.]
Charlie tipped his head in an almost-shy nod. "Good luck tomorrow."
"Thanks," she replied. "I think I'll need it."
---
Back in her motel room that night, Renee finally opened the system shop.
[SYSTEM SHOP — LIMITED ACCESS]
System Credits Available: 4,000]
She selected carefully.
[Purchased:
Enhanced Nutritional Recovery (I Shall Survive Using Potions)
— Passive health stabilization
— Integrated physiology
Cost: 800 SC
Calm Presence (My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)
— Subtle emotional regulation aura
— Improves interpersonal interactions
Cost: 1,200 SC]
[SC Remaining: 2,000]
The changes were subtle—a steady warmth in her chest, a sense of balance she hadn't realized she'd been missing.
Renee lay back on the bed, rain whispering against the window.
She had leads.
She had options.
She had time.
Forks wasn't hers yet.
But she was beginning to fit.