• 𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐓 •

Chapter 2

Two months had passed. I kept having breakdowns while working at the gas station. I've also slept in the back of the gas station. On breaks, I almost always sleep.

It's a good thing they had coffee in the break room. Because of my anxiety, I usually shake. Worse, whenever I have a breakdown, it means I'm one step closer to being fired. What would I do if I was fired? Starting to think about this while on shifts makes it difficult to focus on anything else.

| Two weeks later |

This is bad news. I was fired. As a result, I have nowhere to go. Again. I made the decision to move up the road. Walking along the edge of the woods and the road. I feel tears welling up in my eyes, but only a groan of annoyance escapes me. I wipe my tears away with my sleeves, but my vision is already blurry. I wobble a little because I was never very good at walking straight. The gravel causes me to slide a little.

Then I slip, almost catching myself, but I trip over something else. I extend my hands in front of me as if they will do anything. That action only caused my hands to slide into the gravel, where the sharp rocks cut into them. I hear a car approaching the road. My vision was still blurry as a result of my tears.

I turn my head in the direction of the sound I believe it's coming from. When I turn the right way, I am immediately blinded by the car's bright headlights. It appears to be slowing down. I couldn't help but smile, thankful that they didn't decide to drive by like so many other cars.

 I  quickly, struggle to get onto my feet as the car pulls over just a  bit in front of me. My hands ache and looking down, I can see blood seeping from a few cuts. Causing me to hiss from the pain when I touch one of the cuts. The slight interaction caused me to realize the true pain in my hands. I bite the inside of my cheek, at the same time as hearing the car door click open and someone steps out. 

There, an odd man walks towards me. They wear some dark black and brown clothing. Having a mask hanging on the side of their belt. Reminding myself, that this is a stranger. I remember to be cautious. The man only stares at me, perhaps waiting for me to say something. But I only stay silent, taking in his facial features. A freshly shaved beard, and brown eyes that seem gentle with the man's glasses he wore. 

He takes notice and finally decides to speak up, "what are you doing out at a time like this, young man?" He cautiously spoke but with a hint of gentleness. I shake a bit, and once again they take notice of it. He raises his hands up, "I won't hurt you, I'm just concerned." He simply states. "uh-" I try to search for words but he cuts them off, "do you have anywhere to go?" 

I quickly snap my mouth shut, looking around at the woods, before shaking my head. He has a small smile appear on his face. "I have a safe place for children like you. People that may be around your age...I have one of them with me right now." He says. I slowly and hesitantly nodded. He seemed to just continue to speak though, "it's a place for people I believe were brought together by faith." 

Now, this. This just causes me to be confused, "brought together by faith.?" I croak. The pain of my hands getting to me, and not taking for a while. What he's saying is quite confusing. but he looks..really serious with it. "now, I know this may sound weird...but It's kinda like a small family of mine for people that were abandoned."

The abandoned part immediately catches the lanky brunette's attention. "for people who were abandoned.." I mumble to myself. He nods, "I believe you were abandoned?" Suddenly I have a small realization, he looks familiar. 'He had come into the store a few times..'  I observe the man a bit more. He seems to be nervous himself.