Infinity Sign

.1

"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.." Another lonely night waits for me as I walk down the sidewalk towards the building strip near the corner street. My hands are pushed deep into my pockets, gripping tightly onto the pocket warmers as I shiver from the cold. It was the middle of December, and much like last year, I was losing my bearings. I'd lost everything really. And I had no where to go.

I sighed heavily, watching the fog leave my mouth and vanish into the air. I used to love winter. When I had a home. It was my absolute favorite season, I loved running outside on early mornings with him. But all of that was gone now. And I was on my own. I walked with my eyes towards the darkening sky, finding shapes in the faint clouds that glided slowly on their way.

Maybe I could find a shelter. Somewhere to stay for the night. The temperature seemed to be dropping faster and faster, and when snow started to fall I knew I was in trouble. I pulled my hoodie higher on my head and wrapped my arms around myself, making my way towards where I usually stayed.

Between two buildings made a tight alleyway. It was small enough so no one else could get in, but big enough where I could sit and lay comfortably. The gutters on top either building made sure no snow fell in, and if I was lucky, madam Glenda, the lady who owned the building to the left, would have her heater on blast. She did.

I took the small black and white blanket out of the green bag I'd manage to swipe from under a bench and wrapped it tightly around myself. I sat close enough to the heater so that I felt it, but not so it burned me. I looked down at my shoes, seeing how they'd been worn down to the point of near falling apart.

I ran a lot that day. More than I ever had in my life. I shook my head, erasing the memories from my mind as I leaned my head against the wall. I'd look for new shoes at a playground. Or maybe I'd take myself up on the shelter option.

I didn't like shelters much. The last time I was at one, there was way too many people. They kept asking questions that I didn't know the answers to. I hardly knew how to speak properly, and ended up getting frustrated and leaving. They tried coming after me, but I have a lot of experience with running.

One thing they kept asking, no matter who I sat or laid by, was my name. I don't remember my name. I didn't have one when I was with him. I was just pet, or kitten, or a number. And I've since learned that those are not, in fact, actual names.

I wonder if this town even has a shelter. I hadn't been here long enough to search all of it, the season being winter slowing me down. I knew that I was in Kingsbridge. Where I come from was right outside of Knightsbrook which was at least three towns away. Which was good. I needed distance.

I'd make sure to keep an eye out for one tomorrow. After I got new shoes. I felt my eyes getting heavier, sleep pulling me alongside it. I always wondered how I could sleep in the conditions I was in. It wasn't exactly comfortable, and definitely wasn't normal or healthy to squeeze so tightly between two dirty buildings. But I slept anyway. I always did.

When I opened my eyes again, it was to the sun slipping through the crack between the two buildings, shining almost directly into my eyes, and madam Glenda using her hose to spray me with water. I quickly scrambled back, forgetting about the heater. My back pressed into it and I quickly froze, yelping as I turned. I didn't like water. I didn't like being burned either. Madam Glenda was yelling in whatever her native language was and my guess, it was for me to get out.

I wasn't going anywhere near that hose. She waved it up and down, trying to reach me and I moved backwards. I could get out on the other side but it was a long walk, and the walls got tighter. I could feel a panic rise inside me at the thought of getting stuck, but I still didn't want to get wet. I puffed out my cheeks and turned, pushing my damp blanket back into my bag before holding it out in front of me. When I got closer to the opening on the other side, I bit my lip and risked throwing my bag out first. When it went through easily, I raised my hands over my head and sideways shuffled out, wincing as my still stinging back touched the wall.