Kong

Chapter 1

The streets were dirty, little cleanliness but she wasn't surprised. People slept anywhere nowadays, porches and benches were the most common places to sleep for those without a home. The city was a cesspit, it brought in money and people still moved here no matter how expensive everything was.
"Capitalism for the win." She said to herself, an old fur coat was the only thing protecting her from the debilitating cold.
Her blonde hair at least kept her ears warm, it curled onto her shoulders. It was the way she liked it and the way she wanted it to be. Her tights were tattered, and numerous holes allowed wisps of cold to travel up her leg. The purse strung from her shoulders swayed like a flag, the lack of contents inside allowed it to freely move with no restrictions.
Street vendors called out in the sunlight, their cries enticed many a starving traveller. Their blue hands reached for whatever they could afford. Touching their hands was like touching the finger of a corpse, they had little life left and reeked of death.
She continued along the rubbish-ridden pavement, incessant honking filled the roads.
"Typical New York." She noted, drivers slamming their fists onto the button that held so much power elsewhere.
She shook her head, swinging the purse further up her shoulder. Crime was another major concern for those who had next to nothing, robbers were mostly men trying to put steam on the table. She had recently become a victim of a desperate man's crimes, the vivid reminder to not trust anybody.
As she turned a corner, the honking distracted her as a police car swerved around. A sight she struggled to get used to and one that would always faze her.
A little man, no older than 7, crashed into her thin frame. He gathered the group of apples strewn about the dirty pavement before running off, his bloody footprints leaving a noticeable trail.
"Oi you little shit, bring those back!" A man called with his forehead sweating.
Ann looked up before the man walked off in anger, muttering obscenities to himself. Her purse had spilt onto the road, with no person even attempting to take it.
Perhaps they knew it was worthless or perhaps they thought she would be more valuable. People continued to walk past her, paying no heed to the woman on the floor. She was used to it by now but it still stung, no gesture of kindness was shown to give her the slight hope that everything would be okay.
She dusted herself off, she would be late for work at this rate.

The theatre was run down, and broken lights and broken glass doors were the main things you noticed. A bodyguard stood next to a steel fence, his bulky frame was enough to deter those who wished harm.
"Morning Adam." She said, hugging the bodyguard.
"Good morning Ann, I hope your walk wasn't as eventful as yesterday's." Adam laughed, his deep laugh matched most people's first impression. A man who would hurt you for no particular reason and yet his personality showed a gentler side.
"I'm starting to think that life is throwing random stuff at me every day," Ann replied, rubbing her arms.
"Tell me more over dinner?" Adam asked, opening the shattered glass door.
"If you don't mind Adam," Ann responded, giving him one last hug.
Adam chuckled as Ann stepped in, and a few people began to form a queue outside.
"Alright, form an orderly line and we'll get you guys in," Adam shouted, crossing his muscular arms.

"Annie! I thought you wouldn't turn up." David exclaimed, gripping Ann in a hug before kissing her forehead.
"I may be ill David but we don't get paid for laying in bed," Ann replied, her hands wrapped around his elderly body.
"That's true, let's get you kitted up." David agreed, escorting Ann to the costume room.
"So what's the role today Davey?" Ann asked, people walked past her in tattered but extravagant costumes.
"You're playing the usual, a lonely woman seeking the thing everybody craves," David answered, flicking through dresses that were ordered neatly on a coat rack.
"It's so cliche, we need to change the play!" Ann groaned, rolling her eyes.
"Annie, we can't change the play unless the boss man wants it changed." David overruled.
"Well somebody needs to tell him that it needs changing. The play is utter shit, if you'll excuse my French." Ann reiterated.
David stayed silent as he handed a white and gold dress to Ann.
"Put this on," David ordered calmly, his frail fingers struggling to hold the fabric.
Ann crossed her arms in defiance before giving a disgusted expression.
"Annie please, if you don't then we might go out of business. There's been talk of layoffs." David said sorrowfully.
Ann groaned before taking the dress and rushing to a changing room.
"I'm only doing this for you David, not for me or anybody. I'm doing it for you!" She stated, kissing his cheek.
David smiled before hobbling to a chair.

"So tell me how long have you been, you know?" A man asked, his expression slightly curious.
"Well, near enough 4 years. My last relationship ended in tears and quite frankly I can't deal with that emotional pain again." Ann stated, her dress covering her feet and much of the chair.
The people sitting in the audience were intrigued to say the least, albeit there were only a few watching.
"Do you mind telling me why Miss Darrow?" The man asked politely, edging closer to her.
The set behind them was wooden, the rotten parts were kept out of view.
"Well Mr Bennet, my last relationship ended in cheating. My ex-partner had grown tired of my affection and so he sought refuge in the arms of somebody close to me, my best friend. As cliche as it sounds, I have come out the better albeit it's taken me a while to get there." Ann answered, sadness present on her thin face.
"I can understand why, are you looking for love again?" Mr Bennet asked another.
"Am I looking for love? No Mr Bennet, I'm afraid my journey for love ended years ago and quite frankly I believe that it's a farce." Ann answered with little hesitation.
"Well, maybe you should try searching." Mr Bennet suggested, his ginger hair combed over with a long beard dangling from his chin.
"But why? Love brings nothing but pain and misery, it's merely a dream thought up by men and women seeking company." Ann shut down, flinging herself from the chair.
"And you think that you are part of the small minority destined to feel the numbing feeling of loneliness? Miss Darrow, you are a beautiful woman, far more beautiful than you realise. A woman like you deserves the best, no matter your personal opinion on love." Mr Bennet, assured, his hand resting on her shoulder.
"And what if I am to fall into the same trap, a trap conjured by a man containing false promises while hope is conjured by a woman who yearns for affection and admiration, will I fall into the abyss of loneliness once more?" Ann asked sorrowfully, tears streaming down her thin face.
Mr Bennet kissed her lips softly, the warmth of his lips made her heart beat faster.
"You will not, for I will treat you with the purest form of love that I can muster. Now, would you like to go to dinner? I heard there is a great Italian restaurant down on Broadway." Mr Bennet stated, hooking his arm around hers.
"I would like that Mr Bennet, although I'm sure I would enjoy your company more." Ann smiled, her smile beaming with hope.

Ann scoffed as she shuffled backstage, her time in this dress had run its course and quite frankly the mere sight of it filled her with disgust.
"Oh, Ann you were brilliant!" Adam exclaimed, and a tight hug soon followed.
"I only did my best Adam, that's all I could do." Ann shot down, flinging the dress off her.
"Confidence was never your strong suit," Adam replied, a chuckle crept from his lips.
"It doesn't have to be, as long as I have legs to perform and a voice to use then I'll be okay," Ann responded, an energetic smile warmed his heart.
Adam walked off, his shoes creaking against the old wood that was barely being held together.
"Annie you looked beautiful on that stage!" David complimented, kissing her cheek.
"I only looked that way because of the dress, my face isn't the money maker." Ann rejected it, staring at the broken mirror.
"Annie, you need to appreciate your beauty. You're an attractive young woman, not some ugly-looking rat." David replied, grabbing his hat.
Ann stayed silent but rose from her seat.
"Oh David you are too kind to me, but I assure you that your compliments are more than enough," Ann assured, kissing his cheek.
"If you say so Annie, have a good night and get home safe." David smiled, hobbling his way out into the alley.
Ann sat in silence as David's footsteps became quieter, her mind was flooded with pain.
"Ann? You okay?" Gloria asked, startling Ann.
"Gloria! You startled me! Am I okay? Yes, I'm fine love." Ann replied, turning away.
"You can't lie to me dear, I know you better than anybody." Gloria pressed.
"I just- I'm scared, I'm scared that I'll starve on these streets. I'm scared of society, what it can do." Ann revealed, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Oh love, come here," Gloria said, quickly embracing Ann.
Ann cried hard, her fingers brushing against Gloria's white fur coat.
"I don't know what to do." Ann continued.
"You don't have to know, all you need to remember is that you're still here. Fate's got a plan for you, a big plan." Gloria comforted, stroking Ann's hair.
Ann stared at the wall, her eyes were focused on something but her mind was unfocused and confused.
"I'm so scared," Ann said once more, clutching the fur coat.