Master

Maya Kelly

Well my hopes weren't realistic I guess because people were still trying to kill me. And I realized I still needed to get to that Dr. Intellectual or what ever his name is to offer me that school scholarship again. Maybe if I could get that, I could be safe from murderers who want my head pasted on their wall as a decoration.

I met Maya that morning as scheduled. I saw her waiting for me at the Cafe, already having a table and a cup of coffee waiting for me.

"Juliet!" she shouted as I approached. She hopped up out of her chair and gave me a huge hug.

"Hey Maya." I said returning the hug. "It's so nice to see you!"

"Yeah I know isn't it?" Same old Maya. "Now let's get to the dirty business." She said as she and I sat back down. "What is the trouble your in?"

"Have you given up on the mob scenario?" I asked.

"No not completely but you know how I am. Never give up until I get the truth."

"It's true, that is how you are." I laugh. "But no I am not in trouble with the mob, I don't owe anyone money and I haven't killed anyone. But someone does want to kill me."

"Juliet, who on God's green earth would want to kill you? I mean, do you think they found out that you're lying about your age?"

"Maya, they wouldn't want to kill me just because I'm lying about my age! It has to be something bigger than that, something worth killing a seventeen year old girl for. Well twenty two years old for that matter. I mean why?! Why do they want to kill me so bad?"

"Yeah that is weird. But what do you want me to do about it? Like, why did you call me?"

"Well, I know you Maya and I thought that you would be able to help me. I mean like you said, never give up until you find the truth."

"But I don't know, if I help you does that put me in danger?"

"I honestly have no idea. But I'm telling you now, if you do help me, it's not going to be a stroll in the park."

"I already figured that out for myself thank you."

I let her think about it for a while, while she sipped on her coffee. If she decided to get on board, that would be just what I need. She is the kind of person that can get anything done when she puts her mind to it. If she agrees to helping me, maybe, just maybe, I could get a shot at Mr. Oakum Matthews again.

"OK fine. I'm in" she concluded.

"Are you sure? Because if you really don't want to, I'm not going to be mad."

"No, I'm positive. But I have a proposition."

"OK shoot."

"If I help you find out who, and why these people want to kill you, you have to help me find out how my parents died. Who knows, maybe you can find out about your parents too."

"Sounds fair. But there is something else you need to know. Long and short, I was walking back to my car one night after work and these men attacked me. After I beat the crap out of them this man named Oakum Matthews showed up and offered me a spot at his institute thing, but like an idiot, I declined and I think if I can get a chance to meet him again and ask for a spot in his institute, that would give me a safe place to live and the right amount of protection to stay alive while I find out who these people are and why they want me dead. Also if I can get a spot in, he said they help train you in your special ability and mine is fighting. There I could stay in shape and possibly learn more moves."

She was silent for a second.

"Wait. What was this guys name?" she finally said.

"Oakum Matthews. Why?"

"Oh nothing just wondering, And yes that sounds fine just as long as you can get me a spot in his institute as well."

"Yeah of course! I'm going to have to keep you by my side as much as possible."

"OK, sounds good. Now I really need to get to work. It was nice talking to you again, Juliet! I'll call you tonight if I think of something else that needs to be covered."

"OK, cool. Bye Maya, and thank you for your help!"

"Yeah sure, no problem." she said as she walked away.

Well now that that was taken care of, all I needed to do was think of a way to attract Oakum's attention again. But before that, I needed to get to work.

***

"Your fired."

"WHAT?! You have GOT to be kidding me!" I screamed at Hank's back as he walked back to the employees closet to get a broom to pick up the broken glass spewed all over the bar floor. "WHY?! What have I done?!"

"You are fired Juliet, just except it will you?"

"No!" I insisted.

"Yes!"

"NO!"

"YES!"

"NOOO!" I yelled at the top of my lungs.

"Juliet will you shut up?! I'm firing you because I have had enough of you! You keep leaving work when I need you most!"

"Well if you need me so bad don't fire me! I need a job Hank! Please!"

"No. Now leave. If you need a job so bad, start now by leaving and going and finding some other place to work. I heard the Cafe across the street needs a new janitor."

"You are a JERK!" I screamed while slapping him across the arm. "I will NEVER come to your rescue anymore! You can... YOU CAN GO DIE IN A HOLE! Or... Or... OR SLIP OFF AN ICE CUBE IN ALASKA FOR ALL I CARE! You TURD!"

And with that off my chest I spun on my heel and walked out the door, leaving all the staring people to him.

***

Home.

Gosh, I hate that place, and now without a job I can't even afford the Duct Tape to hold it together! Dang. What do I do now? That question haunted me as I pasted back and forth in my room. I need a job. And fast.

A head ache pounded in my head as I realised I hadn't had much to drink today. I groaned and massaged my eyes. This was not how I had invisioned my life when i was a girl. I had been looking forward to this wonderful stage of life, when I could be out on my own, away from the the past mistakes, and start again, a beautiful picture of confidence and success.

But no. I was stuck here. In freakin freezin' New York City.

Plus, I was lying about my age. Most 17 year old girls are proud of it. Yet I hide my age in a corner, under a rug, in hopes no one will ever see or hear it.

***

Twenty minutes later, after I was finished wallowing in self-pity, I got off my sorry butt and drove around looking for job openings. Five hours later, I had concluded three things:

a.) I did not want to work at McDonalds as a "sanitary director" (janitor),

b.) I was hungry,

and c.) It was too stinkin' dark to read any of the "help needed" signs. Not like there were many anyway.

I went home sleepy, dazed, and still suffering from the pounding headache.

I heard a sound by the window, on the fire escape. My head jerked up, worst case scenarios running through my head a mile a minute. I started breathing heavier.

then, not fifteen away, in the dark of my window, a face covered in black cloth smiled in at me with glistening white teeth. I screamed.

Glass shattered around a center point, the creator of the hole spinning towards me. Then I realised the figure had been holding a gun, and the bullet was coming at me. My eyes fluttered closed, and I wondered what the afterlife would be like.