Psycho\\ Discontinued

Chapter 2: the girl

I managed to slip into the zoo today.
There was absolutely nothing to do today. I couldn't find any decent food. My pigeons couldn't come because I didn't have food. My stomach gave me cramps all morning. I couldn't even bathe in my fountain. Something clogged it up and now the city has it under construction.
So today, I was in yesterday's filth.
The guards didn't see me slide past the trees that surround the zoo. I slipped in and out like a shadow. A big brick wall surrounded the zoo as well. I dug my fingernails into the cement and managed to climb up onto the wall, and jump off in the other side.
I was in.
I merged with the tour groups. Nobody will notice a filthy girl like me wandering around a smelly place.
I waked by all sorts of people. Young and old. Adult and child. Boyfriend and girlfriend. Husband and wife. Father and daughter. Mother and son. Grandparent with grandchild.
As for me... I walked alone.
As usual.
It amazes me how many animals were kept here at the zoo. I saw all sorts of exotic creatures. From the Asian black leopard to the African giraffe. I saw penguins, iguanas, goats,elephants,poisonous spiders and snakes, eels and seals.
They were all so beautiful. So happy. But I asked myself, how can they find happiness?
Weren't they in a cage? Weren't they here for just for show? Weren't they taken from their homeland to come to this retched place?
It disgusts me just thinking about it. But I realized that these stupid animals were happy because
they had each other. That had their family with them. They knew comfort because it was right in front of them.
It pains me to think that these animals had a better family that I could ever have. And I didn't even have one !😋
I didn't just see animals at the zoo. I saw carts of food being sold for a dollar. My stomach grumbles in huger, but I ignored it. I couldn't but food,not just yet. I walked over to an isolated trash can. I shed around until I doing a couple of hot dogs. Still fresh.
The clock rang for 8 in the evening. The zoo will close in an hour.
I walked more for a bit. That's when I spotted a little girl. She was sitting on a bench that was sitting near a lamppost. She was crying. Her red hair was a bit tangled. Her blue dress was wrinkled. Tears flowed from her eyes like waterfalls. Snot ran down her freckled nose.
She looked up at me when I approached her. She gave me a menacing face. She sniffed up her tears and snot.
"What are you doing? Get lost." She muttered rudely.
"Why are you here? "
"Who's asking?"
"Did you..lose your..mom .or something.."
The girl gave me her wide eyed look and began to wail. People turned to look at us. They gave me look that were saying, quiet that kid down look. I quickly rushed to that crying girl and sat next to her.
"Please be quiet. Your upsetting everyone."
The girl looked up alarmed and stopped crying. She wiped the tears off her face furiously. I took a breath and asked," do you.want me to ..stay here with you. You know till your mom comes..?" I didn't know what I was saying and why I was.
The little girl stared at the cement ground. She nodded her head slowly. "Thanks," she said softly.
We waited for at least half an hour. People were starting to clear out of the zoo because it was a quarter to 9. The little girl rocked back and forth and tapped my left foot anxiously.
5 minutes to 9.
" I think she forgot about me." The child said." Maybe she didn't want me anymore...she she just.." Tears were forming AGAIN in her eyes. Geez, how much water is her eyes even holding??
I put my hand on her back. It felt smooth and soft. I rubbed it. I see people do it all the time when another person is in despair or in pain. This girl had both, and it made me feel sad.
"Don't worry, " I said softly," I bet your mom if frantically searching for you. Your her child, her baby. She carried you and bought you into this world. She dressed you, fed you,consoled you. After all she's been through with you, I don't think she'll let you go that easily."
The girl looked at me with wonder in her eyes. I was surprised with my self. Who know I had all that in me ?
Awkward silence.
The little girl broke the silence.
"Your pretty," she said randomly, "just saying."
The clock rang for 9. The announcement was calling for every one to go home.
We waited.
A lovely young woman in a large fur coat came running toward us,arms opened.
"Amelia!!!" She screamed.
"Mommy," screamed AMELIA.
They both embraced themselves in a warm hug. I felt happy for them.
"Amelia, don't you dare leave my side again.!!!!" Said the mother frantically. She rubbed "dirt" off of Amelia and her clothes.
Silence.
She then gave me a long look. Inspecting me. I just sat still, staring back at her.
"Amelia, let's go home. And if we're separated ever again, go straight to an officer, not hobos like her. God knows where she's been." She said with a disgusted look in her eyes. Those eyes were looking at me.
"Yes mommy," said Amelia. She started to turn to look at me, but her mom yanked her away.
The two locked hands and walked away.

I never saw them again.