Finding My Way Home - Short Story

Chpt. 2 - The Bartender

*Hailey Thompsons POV

I park my white Audi in the parking spot and walk towards the bar.

I am a bartender and I've been working at 'Nights' for almost five years now. It's going well and I've had great conversations with some customers.

I do boxing and running in my free time. With the job I have, sometimes it comes in handy when there are annoying people.

I walk into the front with the help of one of the bouncers and head to the lockers in the back to get ready for work. I normally do an earlier shift, but I had to take over a shift from one of the other bartenders because he was sick.

I put my hair up in a loose bun and my bag into my locker, before making my way behind the bar. I say goodbye to the worker that I'm taking over from and start my work day.

-

When my shift is almost over, I take the garbage and head to the backdoor to throw it away.

There weren't that many customers at the moment, so I didn't mind.

I opened the door with my hip, holding the bags in my hand. I was about to throw them away but stopped as I noticed some guys in the alley.

I put the garbage down, next to the bins and walked closer to see what they were up to.

That's when I saw someone, a girl, being surrounded by them and knew she needed help. There were three guys that were tipsy, so I could easily take them myself and didn't need to ask for help.

"Hey! What are you doing?" I questioned them.

They turned around and looked at me for a minute before laughing. I rolled my eyes at that.

"Are you okay sweetheart?" I asked the girl, ignoring the guys. She didn't say anything but just shook her head. That was enough for me.

The man keeping watch walked closer to me. "How about you join us?" He said. And that's when I had enough.

"How about no?" Was all I said before I kneed him in his stomach, making him stumble and then fall over.

The other two were caught off guard by this and turned to me with a chocked face. I watched as they left the girl and came towards me. I noticed the girl then making her way to the bags I had put aside.

I focused back on the guys, sensing that they are closer.

"You will pay for that lady."

"Just shut up." I told them and hit one of them in his face. The last one ran towards me but I didn't need to do anything as he stumbled over his feet, landing face down on the ground. I shook my head at them. Idiots.

I looked around for the girl, wanting to make sure she's okay.

I noticed her going through the garbage bag and furrowed my brows at the sight. Why would she be...unless. My eyes widened as I thought she is possibly homeless.

Now that she is standing more into the streets light, I can see the old clothes she's wearing. She must be so hungry.

I was going to offer her some food inside, but before I could, she suddenly looked my way. I think she might have heard me.

Before I could say something, she had bolted away with some leftover food in her hands.

I sighed and threw away the bags in the bin and walked into the bar again. I waited on my coworker to take over and then left.

I'm tired and needed a nap. I drove home, still thinking about the girl I saved in the alley. I probably won't see her again, but I really feel the need to help her.

_________________________

*Sam's POV

I finally made my way back to my place and let out a deep sigh.

I crawled in and sat down, immediately putting the blanket around me. I put the container with food that I had managed to grab, on my lap and started eating.

Finally my belly is being filled again.

I was thankful to that woman that had saved me from those men. I didn't know who she was and had never seen her around before but I owe her.

It seemed like she worked there because she was the one taking the trash out.

I was amazed at how she so easily took out those guys. We honestly need more women like her.

After I ate the food, I layed down and closed my eyes, ready to get a good couple hours of sleep.

-

Trigger warning: Selfharm

I woke up from the sound of rain and wind hitting against my so called 'shelter'. It wasn't stable and hopefully the weather would calm down soon.

I looked outside to see it was day out, but it was pretty cloudy and the rain would probably continue for quite a while.

Times like these really make me wish I had a better life.

I needed to distract myself and calm down a little. The only way I knew how to, was by using one of the sharp blades I kept hidden hidden.

I reached behind a plastic piece where I stored my important stuff, like emergency money, some bandaids and my blades. It wasn't a lot of money, probably only 20 dollars but it was for emergencies only. I had taken it with me when I ran away from the foster house.

I also had a little stuffed sheep that I had gotten when I was younger, the only thing I still have from my childhood and my most important possession.

I grabbed one of the blades and took a deep breath before sliding the sharp edge across my wrist. I watched as a line of blood formed where I cut myself. Then driplets of the dark liquid trickled down my hand, onto the floor.

Tears began making their way into my eyes and eventually dripped down my cheeks. This time I brought the blade up a bit higher, to my forearm and made another cut.

I already had a lot of scars around that area. I had long but given up on being unnoticeable. They were all on my right side though, seeing as I am lefthanded.