Reaching For The Stars

Chapter 1

2000
Richmond
Annabeth Chase

The day was long and hard. It was another long night that left more than one scar. They were already fading, leaving no trace behind from the latest attack. Almost every night they came, attacking and harassing her throughout the night. Only last night did she get a break from her torment.

The spiders have long beaks with pincers dug into her skin, the many legs scrawling over her. Annabeth screamed every time yet her father and stepmother were getting fed up with it. Almost as if they put in earplugs to ignore her pleas for help. She couldn't take it for much longer if it continued.

Annabeth left the house to wander around the city. Her siblings and stepmother soured her mood further, especially her stepmother who held some kind of grudge against her. To escape that woman's hateful gaze, she went outside with the excuse to play. No one cared so she found herself walking through the neighborhood without aim.

It was a busy day in Richmond. The weekend are the days when the students of the local university would roam around. Party or go out to the shops and restaurants. Annabeth passed those places, not wanting to deal with them and having no dollar to spend. Her wandering around the streets didn't bring much attention to her.

After an hour of walking, she eventually found herself in Chimbarazo Park. It was an hour when it was relatively empty, a few people here and there walking on the cobbled and concrete pavement. As she entered, she looked around spotting a few visitors, a mobile coffee stand build into a car, a dog or two. A typical park day. Without a need to return home yet, she entered and continued her walk.

Annabeth did let her feet decide where to go. There was no goal, just killing time until she had to return. Her walk eventually brought her to the coffee stand called Starry Coffee and Tea. She saw it from a distance yet only now could see read the name. It was operated by an olive-skinned woman, reminding Annabeth of someone who came from the Mediterranean. Dark hair, grey silver eyes like her own, and a pretty appearance.

It was a day without many customers it seems. The woman sat in the front of her coffee car, from the looks of it playing on her Nokia. It wasn't a person with much from what she could tell. Her clothes seem weathered yet comfy and warm on the cold autumn day. The woman eventually looked up from her phone to see Annabeth staring at her.

"Hello, young lady. Can I help you?"

"Oh, no. Just walking. Sorry for staring," Annabeth apologized, a small smile on her lips. The woman chuckled, unbothered it seems. Before Annabeth could decide to continue, the woman stood up.

"No matter, been a slow day. Care for some coffee or tea? Best in the whole park!"

"You're the only one selling in the park..."

"Makes me the best," she said with a chuckle, standing proudly next to her enterprise. It makes Annabeth smile while holding in her laugh. The first time she almost wanted to laugh this month.

"I have no money on me. Sorry, but thanks for the offer though."

"Oh, well, uhm, since you look down, how about a free cup of tea? To warm you up on this cold day," she said and started to fill a cup with warm water. The woman didn't even offer her time to answer. But Annabeth felt grateful for the small kindness.

"You don't have to..." Annabeth tried to say yet the woman waved her response away.

"Kindness brings more to life, you know. It's not all about money. Besides, I will earn the most when people walk back to their homes. Don't worry about it," she said, handing the cup to her.