Event!Tale- The path of the Damned

Chapter 2- Stranded child

The night was unbearably cold, despite covering myself with everything I had I still trembled uncontrollably. The image of people in dark suits engraved into my mind. And everytime I closed my eyes I saw that man staring me down in the window. Which kept me awake in fear for a long time.

I woke up probably at afternoon, with my backside numb from sitting on concrete for so long and every bit of my body frozen to the bone. The new day starts off miserably. I sat straight, opened my trusty backpack and pulled out some food I could chew on. And after a short feast I got up, took my things and without a goal in mind my legs continued the wandering.

The city got back to life after the last night. People walked here and there in cheerful atmosphere, after all it's a new year, eh? Men sitting in pubs "healing" their hangover, a group of children playing hopscotch on the sidewalk with their mothers sitting aside, gossiping and giggling.
And here I am. Wondering if my brother is safe, the last time I saw him, he wished me happy new year in advance a brief moment before he hopped to our uncle's car.

I wanted to return there and meet with them, but deep inside I knew what consequences catching me would bring to me, my brother and probably my uncle too. For my and their safety I stayed away and hoped for the best.

I sat down on the bench of the local park and reorganized myself once again. I had food for at least six days, 500 euros and some clothes. I couldn't hold myself from just leaning back and giving the most exhausted sigh. With the cash I have I could afford a few days in some cheap motels nearby, but I didn't really bother with that, considering that the day is young. So I sat there, face up the sky, eyes closed. I daydreamed for a long bit, comforting myself with the sun pleasantly shining now. 

After a long while, i decided it's time to go. Opened my eyes and got up from the bench, to see a person standing in front of me. We startled each other out. I pushed myself back on the bench, sprawling on it.
-What are you doing here?- I said after I realised who stood in front of me. It was my classmate, Chloe. 
-I was taking a walk around the park and I noticed you. And what are you doing here?-  she looked at me, peeking on the bag laying next to me. 
-I was...- I sat quiet for a while, thinking of a reasonable lie, Judith looked at me impatiently.
-I was just taking a walk too,and decided to stop here for my... Daydreams.- Was that a lie though? She smiled back.
-You should quit doing that in public, strangers could think you fainted...- She sat down next to me. - You don't just go out on a walk with a bag filled so much. What's the deal with it?- She was a smart girl, and I knew I can't lie, but now what else should I do?
-I spent the new year in Matt's house, and his parents boozed up, so I decided to get back on my own.- I looked at Judes trying to read anything from her expression, she smiled at me once again, and nodded her head.
-You're a bad liar Keith-  she stood up. -When you'll feel like sharing your secrets, you know they'll be safe with me. I've got to go now, Happy new year.- She went on her way, and I couldn't even explain myself, maybe that was the best way for this conversation to end? I replied and went the opposite way.

The rest of the day I spent on finding a place to stay. There was only one place that offered me a room, turning a blind eye on lack of an identification document, and lack of parental presence.
It costed me 59 euro to rent a room for one night. 

The inside of my room was pretty well. I expected a rat hole for such a low price, instead I had a pretty cosy room, a couch, a small TV, a small bathroom and a shared kitchen for all the locators. It wasn't that bad. I washed myself from the dirt I had on myself, ate a supper, a reheated stew from three days ago with a bread slice. I was watching the news, hoping to find something about the crime that happened in my house, unfortunately even the local news mentioned  nothing about it.