Hard Life

Leaving

I finally have enough money. It's time for Lilly and I to leave. I can tell Lilly would be happy to hear the news. Now how am I going to tell her? I haven't talked to her in weeks. I still can't believe she was snooping through my room. What was she looking for? I'm sure she found my ointment while looking.

I have to tell her tomorrow after I return home from my jobs, but let's just get through today. It's my first delivery. I still don't know who I'm delivering the package to in my satchel that I had recently bought on the way. I'm a block away and I keep my hand on my knife. I've only been jumped once but they only wanted some only so I gave them all I had.

I reached the pick-up sight and waited for someone to show up. To my surprise the guy was leaning up agents the brick wall right behind me. I didn't see him, he kind of made me jump a little. He slid off his hood and walked toward me. I pulled off my hood and placed my hand on my knife just in case.

"Woah little man. There is no need for that." He gets really close to me and I try and get it out but he already has his hand on it. Next thing I know I'm on the ground with my cheek hurting. Did he just hit me? This man wasn't satisfied just yet. I quickly grab for my knife yet it's no longer in my pocket. The man grabs my arm and pulls up my sleeve, he stairs into my eyes as he opens my knife and cuts me pretty deep. It wasn't deep enough to kill be so I was going to be alright.

I tried to get away from him but he just picked me up and threw me to the ground. I'm gasping for air. I can tell he's still not done with me because when I rouse to my feet he had a really big smirk on his face. I knew I had to defend myself somehow so I took my first swing aiming for his abdomen. This tall man took a step back causing me to lose my balance then he smashed into me with all his force making me fly into the wall again. I can feel some type of warm liquid trail down my face.

I was in so much pain I just couldn't take much more damage. I decided to stay laying on the ground. I could hear my blade shut. He must be taking it with him. The man kneels down and picks up my satchel "Thank you for the entertainment," he says as he takes his package and places the money in the satchel. I watch him take off and all I can think is how good life will be once I retire.

I return home and receive my next my next package. Lilly was up in her room doing something. "Hey George, Do you think Lilly's door is closed?" "She never leaves her door shut. You, of all people, should know that." I shake my head suddenly remembering, "Right. Do you think I have enough time to patch up before I have to deliver this one?" George thinks for a moment then nods. He knows the condition I'm in, so he knows how long it would take to get myself patched up.

I flop my hood up and run upstairs. I rush into my room before Lilly was able to stop or talk to me. I shut the door behind me and rush to my dresser. I get the ointment out from the bottom drawer and place it on my arm and forehead. I sigh in relief. Most of the pain has vanished and I feel so much better. I go to my closet and pull out the first aid kit. I roll up my sleeve and begin rapping the cut. It took longer than expected. I hurry to clean up but had to leave the trash on the floor because I was running out of time.

I rush downstairs, grab my satchel with the new package and hurry to the pick-up sight. As I was running there I thought that a 13 year old shouldn't have to go through this. I make it with about two minutes to spare. To my surprise it's my favorite person. I smile to greet her, "Hello again," I say reaching into my bag to pull out the package. "How is the job going Logan?" I was shocked as I handed her the package. How did she know my name? "I'm quitting soon, so pretty good." She smiles "I'm so glad to hear. Are you running low on ointment? I made a bigger container just for you."

I smile as she hands me the Ointment. "I'm kind of low but I could use it for future use." She smiles, "I'm glad I could help." I place the ointment in my bag. She's so kind. "How do you know my name Miss?" I ask her just having the opportunity to ask. "I remember the day I bumped into you. I read the name on the back of your shirt. I happy to know you had some clean shirts instead of all the dirty ones you wear on the job. Although you've changed your look a lot since that day. You look more mysterious," she giggles.

I wave goodbye as I run off leaving her in the dim park. The sun was setting so I knew I only had about two more runs to do. I can't wait for the day to be over. I'm so exhausted from the running and the beatings I've taken. I just want to curl up in my bed and take one nice long nap. I think I'm going to take a relaxing bath before bed tonight. As I reach the house I'm still smiling from the thought still stuck in my head. Before I walk in I make sure my hood is up.

George is sitting on the couch with Lilly. They're a seat apart, it's very strange. I really do wonder if Lilly thinks of him as a dad or not. I wonder even if she wants to leave. George gets up and heads to his room after looking at me for a good minute. I slightly look at Lilly and remember, she's the reason I'm doing this.

George emerges from his room with a package tucked under his arm. He whispers in my ear the place, hands me the package, and I turn on my heel and leave. As I closed the door, I bolted knowing if I walked I'd be late. As I came up to the crosswalk, the light suddenly changes. Knowing if I wait for the light to change I'll surly be late, so I decide to take the long way around. Of course I sprit all the way there but I'm still late by a whole minute.

I could tell that the person receiving the package wasn't so happy. I back up as far as I can but not too fare where they can't see me, slowly I place the package on the ground and whip out my pocket knife without looking at them. I already knew I wasn't getting out of this one too easily. I tilt my head up and look at the mean. He's really buff and tall the structure is close to what a lumberjack would look like. The man rushed toward me. I tried to get away or doge his movement but I was stuck in place by two strong arms, holding onto my arms, right behind me.

I didn't have a chance to scream for the man put one hand over my mouth now letting me move just a little. The buff man I can only look at bends down and whispers in my ear, "If you scream we rape you right here." I thought to myself, that would be the first time and I really wouldn't want to experience that. The big man stood back up and put on brass knuckles. The man behind me grabbed ahold of my wrists with one hand and used the other to pull off my hood and lift my shirt and hoodie to expose my chest and abdomen. I struggled the whole time as his arm moved around me.

The man in front of me started to slam his fists into my stomach and chest. All I could do is stand, take the hits and silently count the punches. Each blow was harder than the last, I could almost hear my ribs braking. Sixty-one blows later, my body was shaking and my stomach and chest covered in my blood. I fell to the ground as my restraints were gone. I could barely stay conches. I wanted to scream and cry so bad but I had no more strength to do it.