Silent Duty

Prologue

Two years ago, aged 14:

I checked inside the brown leather wallet to see a couple of notes, not a lot but at least something to get me a decent meal tonight. Wow this guy is poor, not poorer than me living on the streets, though, so I can't find it in me to care that I'm robbing him blind.

I throw the wallet away with the ID inside, an old man with grey/black hair, looking like he's in his 40's stares back at me as he slowly descends into the trash can.

I look behind me to see if the guy has noticed but he hasn't, he's unaware of his surrendering's. As he's on the phone to someone, at least he can afford a phone. He looks like he's out of town, here on a business meeting or something of the sort, with the way he carries himself. I'm very preceptive like that, good at observing and picking up on the little things people do.

I rub my hands together, feeling them go icy cold as I head to the cafe in NewHill.

It's a cute, quaint little place. I normally meet my 'friend' here, try to give him puppy eyes so that he will buy me something. Even a cup of tea will do, it'll warm me up at least.

I quote friend as he'd never call me that, he doesn't do the whole friends thing. He's a softie really, felt bad for me instantly when we met. I told him I was living on the streets and I could tell he wanted to help.

I shut him down quick though, I don't need any help. Not since I ran away from my house a few months back, I can handle everything myself. I did when I was living at home with my parents anyway.

So I know how the world works and I know how to care for myself.

See this 'friend' is rich, loaded more like. His dad is pretty big in this screwed up little town. Who he doesn't get along with mind you, bit like me and my father (minus all the money). Reason why I ran away.

I open the door to the cafe and step in, hearing the bell go off. I squint my eyes looking around and spot him, I walk over to his table. He's sat up straight, perfect posture and well mannered.

Something his dad probably drilled into him at the age of 5, since being the mayor's son he has a reputation to keep. Always look presentable.

And so when I reach him I slap my hands down on either of his shoulders and yell out, "boo!" He jumps the most I've ever seen anyone jump and I start to howl as he clutches his chest. His heart probably racing.

I don't care about all the other people staring in the cafe as I clap my hands together and wipe my tears. "That, was class" I say and clap his back before taking my seat opposite him.

He rolls his eyes and I prepare for a moan from him. "You scared the hell out of me are you mad?" I glance at his cup.

"What have you got?" I question and he rolls his eyes again, he's quite sassy. This guy in front of me, he's got an attitude on him. Almost as big as mine, he's a few years older but that doesn't stop him from acting immature and bratty.

Since everything has been handed down to him, I almost wish I had his life. Having all the money I could ever wish for, because even when living at home we barely had enough to get by. But then I take a step back and listen to what he tells me about his family life and home.

And it's not the best, I didn't run away from one abusive father to go be with another.

I feel sorry for him, how he thinks of the world and people. That people like me deserve less. I think I'm slowly cracking him though, slowly getting through to him that we're all people at the end of the day.

"Something you will never be able to afford again because your a teen runaway and a high-school drop out." And then he says shit like that, I nod and go to stand but he grabs my wrist and makes me sit down.