Snow and the Wishing Well (Fallen Tales series)

Chapter 13

Chapter 13
Sarah
"Billy, do ever have one of those days when all you can think about is how your life got so messed up?" I asked him looking up at the grey cement ceiling.
"Ruff day, Princess?" He asked.
I smiled. He had called me Princess since the first time I met him. He said that I had reminded me of his little niece which he had also called Princess. I thought it was the right thing to do just to let him call me that. Even if it hurt to realised that I'm not a princess or a Lady or even an heiress.
"Ruff everything," I summarised.
Ever since I met Justin, almost two weeks ago, everything I ever once thought had come back to me. Everything I had to do to survive was against all my morals from my old life. And now every time I stole a candy bar or slept with Michael, I felt worse than I had ever felt.
"Everyone has those days," he told me, "I bet Steve's whole life is those days."
I looked over Billy's shoulder to see Steve roll his eyes. He always seemed to be listening to our conversation.
"Yeah, I guess," I mumbled lying back down.
I was amazed how optimistic Billy was sometimes. I remembered when I first met him.
It was the night after my first job, and my first time. It had only been a month since I had come to London and I didn't think I could get much lower. I was in a deep depression, and suicide was growing more and more to being an option.
I had walked into the homeless shelter, shaking from the cold and fear. I figured out quickly, which bed would be the best and sat on it. Clearly noticing my fear, Billy walked over to me and sat on the bed that was now his own.
"How you doin Princess?" he asked.
I was mortified. How dare a man I didn't even know call me Princess?
Forgetting about where I was, I was ready to say the how dare you speak to me, like that, I'm a Lady speech, but he then he quickly added that I had reminded him of his niece.
"Okay, you sad, sad people, get out of my homeless shelter!" Michael yelled up and down the hall.
"Come on, Princess," Billy said pulling me up. I groaned in objection. Michael stopped me when I was just about to leave the room.
"We're still on for tonight?" he asked.
I looked around trying to see if anyone was listening to us. No one was.
"Yes, you're not giving me much of a choice," I snarled.
He scoffed, "Yes I am."
"Oh really, so you would continue doing business with me if I told you no," he stayed quiet, "That's what I thought."
As I went to walk, he grabbed my arm and dragged me back to the spot I was.
"You mind you attitude, do you hear me?" he said, his voice ruff and threatening, "I'm your do or die."
My breathing became heavy as he kissed my cheek. I shudder when his eyes followed down my body making me feel bare. How long can I keep up with this?
"See you tonight."



Justin
I walked into the St Vincent De Paul's shop, feeling the sunshine through the glass windows. This place was more light then the homeless shelter office. Racks of clothing were spread out across the store, as well as large objects like chairs and tables. There was a library in the far corner as well.
I walked over to the desk to a man well in his fifty's was. He smiled politely at me as he asked, "How can I help you?"
"Hi, I was wondering if I could speak to the manger."
He through his hands up.
"That's me, hi John Williams," he said shaking my hand.
"Hi, my name is Justin Carter, my parents invested money into the St Vincent De Paul Charity and I just wanted to know how the project worked."
"Well, it's simple really. People who donate things are shipped across to other St Vincent De Paul shops, and then are sold. Then that money is given to the people in third world countries."
I nodded making a mantle note in my mind to write that down in my note book.
"But lately we've been having break in's."
I frowned, looking around for any signs of damage, "What do you mean?"
"Well there's been cases where, people climb into the bins then take what they want."
"Who would do that?" I asked trying to think why someone would take from the people in countries that don't have excess to water or food.
"I couldn't tell you Sir, I couldn't tell you."

Later that day, when I was walking back to the hotel I thought about the people in the third world countries. Torn apart by war and hatred, people could barely survive. I never understood why people stole. How could you be so despite that you had to steal from others? Did they even feel sorry for the people they took from? Did they – I stopped.
I swore I just saw Snow. I walked faster trying to look for her. I spotted her walking across a park, in only a singlet, a small demin skirt, fishnet stockings and black ankle boots. Her black hair was pulled into a high ponytail and from how far away I was, I could see that she wore hoop earrings.
I followed her to a dark car park, where she stood alone. When I got close enough to her, I called, "Hey Snow!"
She jumped. Her eyes grew wide when she spotted me.
"What are you doing?" I asked realizing that she wore mascara and lipstick.
"Justin, you have to get out of here," the panic in her voice made me even more confused. What was she doing here?
"Why are you wearing that?"
The wind blew coldly and she had a trench coat in her hands, why wasn't she wearing it?
"Justin, please leave now," she begged.
"Why –?" I stopped when lights in the corner of my eyes blinded me. I felt pressure on my chest and I realized she was pushing me.
"Snow what's going on?" I asked as she kept pushing me.
"Leave Justin," as the car slowly drove past her, she started to hit the window of the car, "No, Michael, stop! Damn it!" she groaned.
Her reaction confused me even more.
Who was the guy in the car? Why was she so upset? Why didn't she want to me to see the car? Or for the guy to see her with me.
"You have to give, hundred and fifty dollars," she stated breaking my thoughts as the car drive off.
I frowned, "What? I don't have to do anything."
"If he hadn't had seen you, this wouldn't have happened!" she yelled getting angry and frustrated.
"What wouldn't have happened, who was that –," I stopped. My stomach dropped, my blood ran cold.
"Oh my God," I struggled to say.
She was going to sleep with him? For money.
"This is all your fault!" she yelled.
"My fault!"
"If you had left when I told you to, he wouldn't have seen you! You have lost me one hundred and fifty dollars. I can't lose that money!"
"So what, you sleep with him for money?" I asked still not fully believing that it could be true. Was I attracted to a...prostitute?
"No, don't," she said through her teeth, shaking her head.
"What?"
"Don't you judge me. I'm doing what I have to do to survive!" she yelled.
"And this is how you survive?" I yelled to be heard over her. It was hard for me to get my head around it. I didn't understand how someone could be so dispirit.
"Yes!"
We grew silent trying to catch our breath. She shifted on her feet, as I swallowed.
"So –," I stopped when she stated to run. I was going to go after her but I didn't. She didn't need me. I was the least of her problems.

Chapter 14
Sarah
I woke up with the soft sun on my back. Lifting my heavy head, I looked around to where I was. The wishing well. I remembered.
I ran here after Justin had ruined my deal with Michael. I knew for a fact that Michael wouldn't do business again. His wife found that out the hard way.
I couldn't even blame Justin for thinking bad of me. I had thought the same way. How could someone be so dispirit? But I had been.
When I had just gotten out of hospital, I was still a mess. I walked along the streets like a zombie. The nights were cold and long in the ally way where I stayed for days. I knew if I didn't have food or water soon, I would die. And I was okay with that.
I heard footsteps coming towards me. I was too weak to see who it was, but the black dress shoes told me it was a male. Fear of being raped flooded my mind, losing any hope that this man would help me. In a way he did.
In a deep voice, he asked, "how much?"
I frowned, curiosity gave me the energy to look at him. His strong chin line and board shoulders made me wonder why he still hadn't touched me.
"How much is what?" I croaked.
He sighed brushing his fingers against my cheek. This simple gesture gave me my answer. My tired heart started to pound at the mortifying thought. For a man to even think that of me. A Lady, an estate holder. But then I remembered. I was neither of those things.
It came down to two things. Do I want to live to see the day that Victoria pays, or die and she wins once again.
"Do you have a," I swallowed, "We don't have a deal unless you have a condom."
He sighed, growing frustrated.
"Fine."
I shook the thought away, trying to forget that night.
That night had to be on my top ten worse nights. It wasn't fun, great or amazing. But when I held my first roll of money, I knew what I had to do. I needed to get as much money as I could, as fast as I could, so that I could buy back something that should had been my birth right. Then make Victoria pay.
The sound of a pigeon, broke me from my thoughts. I realized I had to make it right with Michael, and beg him to try me again. And if he doesn't, then make Justin pay.

I found Michael in his office, he didn't look surprised though he should have been. Since he had locked the bloody doors, I had to climb through the window.
He scoffed tucking some papers under his desk. I hoped he had a day job.
"And what do you want?" he scoffed rudely, making me hate Justin even more.
"I want to apologise for last night," I was surprised about how easily the apology came off my tongue, "And I want to make it up to you."
"You should have thought of that when your friend turned up."
"He's not my friend."
"Well, you seemed to be friendly with him last night."
His tone seemed hurt. Was he upset to see me with another guy? Was he jealous?
"I was trying to make him leave –."
"It doesn't matter, get out of here."
I was breathless. Michael was throwing me away like old trash. I couldn't be trash.
"Please," I begged through my teeth, "I'll do anything."
He sighed and my heart seemed to beat again.
"Fine," I let out a breath that I didn't realise I was holding as he started to walk over to me.
"But you have to wear something...new," his eyes and hands followed down my body. It was only then that I realized I was still wearing the same clothes from last night.
I frowned, "I don't understand."
"Well, go out and buy something more...interesting," he said trying to find the right word. He was talking about lingerie.
"What? I can't afford stuff like that."
"Well you should have thought of that when you cancelled our deal."
My eyes grew wide in anger, "You cancelled our deal!"
"You have a week till our next appointment. If you want our deals to continue I expect something different."
I was speechless. I was being beaten and beaten, by a man that does nothing more than look after a homeless shelter then goes home alone. 
"For now, you can get out."