Stolen (Book 1 of the Greed series)

Stolen (Book one in the Greed series)

        It was a cold and steel grey day and there weren't any more parking spaces at the grocery store the day I run out of real food. I honestly would have stayed home that day, but of course, a girls got to eat. I refused to go hungry in this winter. I grumbled as I turned down an ally way to a parking lot across the street, realizing I would have to walk all the way to the store and back in this weather. I found myself counting to three before turning the car off, not quite ready to be out of the warmth and safety of my car.

        I very soon realized that it probably wasn’t my best idea to walk through the ally to the store. It looked cold, dark, and creepy. I found myself thinking that I should have just eaten a candy bar for dinner, but then again, how filling is that, exactly? I yawned absentmindedly, noting the fact that I didn’t get a good night’s sleep the night before. Or the night before that either, actually. I don’t sleep much anymore. For a minute I toyed with the idea of leaving, but since I had made the effort I felt as though it had to be worth it.

        Reluctantly, I stepped into the frigid air and out of my comfort zone. Here goes. Step by step I made my way towards the ally and I pulled my jacket closer around my body. I stared down at the tight, dark space in between the two empty brick buildings.  I felt the cold wind blow down my back and I shivered, but I knew there was absolutely no turning back, not now. My stomach made some unnatural sounding noise right before I stepped into the alley and I stopped to grab at it, instantly embarrassed although no one could hear me. My mind drifted to warm dreams of summer nights and greasy steak. I snickered to myself while sobering. Steak would be good, if I knew how to cook it.

        Suddenly an uneasy feeling worked its way down into my bones. I stepped into the darkness of the ally and evened my footsteps to a steady beat. Looking to my side I saw a broken mirror which displayed my reflection perfectly. It doesn’t matter how starving I am, or how cold it is, I always manage to overdress. Even today in this freezing cold weather I am wearing a dark purple long sleeve blouse and black leggings (Which, by the way, make my butt look great.) And I know what you’re thinking, ‘Well, duh, that’s why you’re cold.’ Well, duh, I know that.

        Finally after what seemed like hours I emerged from the darkness, after stumbling a bit over my shoes and some rocks, but none the less I was out. There was definitely a change in temperature as it was warmer in between the buildings than it was outside of them. I silently thanked God I made it out alive, and even though I was quite worried about my wellbeing before, maybe the second trip around it’ll be easier.

        As I approached the store I realized just how many people were there, all dressed in winter clothing. I silently thought I must’ve looked like a freak to them, but I don’t care. It’s never too cold for fashion. It seems like everybody forgets that during the colder months, but that’s really their loss. If you want to look like a giant blue marshmallow then that’s your prerogative, but I chose not to.

        I walked into the store and suffered many looks from other costumers, some accusing, some lingering much longer than I would’ve liked. I felt myself smirk as I turned down an aisle to pick up some chips, TV dinners, spinach, (yuck, but it keeps me strong I guess.) among other things. Almost instantly my senses picked up as I saw what I thought, at the time, was the best thing I had ever seen in my life: A rotisserie chicken, already cooked to perfection. The last one sat smack in the middle of the turn table, lit up by warming display lights. Scoping out the area I noticed a myriad of other people doing the same thing I was, eyeballing it like it was a part of the last supper. My eyes turned into slits as I checked out the competition. Not bad, there was a man who’s greasy appearance and superman shirt that rode up his beer gut put me off within a second, a woman with a Bluetooth hanging half heartedly off of her ear and frazzled hair wearing a business suit, and a teenager that mirrored my hungry look but was extremely frail looking; an easy target. I didn’t hesitate before my boots squealed on the tile and I lunged for my meal; my prize.