Through the Dark *ON HOLD*

Part 1 Eyes

Thanks for checking out my story!

Please note its NOT EDITED. I will try to edit it after posting it. I had some computer crashes while I was writing this part so I decided just to go ahead and publish it before my computer crashed again.

The guy in the picture is the homeless man! Cleaned up of course.

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At first when I used to walk past him I feared him. I worried that he would jump me and do something to me. As the months flew by I realized he wasn't the type. It was almost like a manga, I would see him feeding a kitty or helping an elderly person. It was strange to capture those things happening with a homeless man. I would think that someone less fortunate wouldn't be able to help others out but I was wrong.

In terms seeing him helping others made me want to help him.I became brave enough to say hello and goodnight to him. I however never gave him any change or food, he never asked, but I was also afraid what if he didn't want my help? What if he left and I never saw him again.

Whenever I saw him something in me stirred. It was almost as if the air became thicker and I couldn't think straight. At first I thought it was fear, but as the months went by I realized it was something else. I didn't know what it was, in my short 24 years of life I had never experienced it. 

"Aren't you mad that she got the promotion?" Claire sneers making me look up from my book. I was hoping to read in the break room after I was done with my lunch but that wouldn't cut it now. I gave her a small smile and she handed me a coffee cup.

"I'm not mad" I tell her with a shoulder shrug. I could tell that she wasn't convinced.

I wear my heart on my sleeve. What can I say? I've always been the type of person to cry when I see a person or animal hurt. My mother always said that I was the type of person who couldn't hide her emotions and that it was a good thing. I'm not so sure about that. I've tried hard all my life to hide my emotions and keep them in check so that only inside there's a turmoil of emotions going. My exterior isn't cold or hard but just mellow.

"I guess disappointed" I finally gave in. Claire wouldn't tell a soul and there was no one in the break room. It was located in the first floor and no one wanted to make the 5 minute trip there and back and waste 10 minutes of your break.

"Its not fair, It should have been you" She says taking a seat in front of me and begins to munch on a muffin. Claire was the type of girl who didn't mind a few extra pounds. She worked out but food still found its way on her butt. I envied her.

"I know... she just got here. I've covered for that position more times than I can count. But you know what? That's fine. I will just have to look for another job elsewhere" I state proudly.

"I will miss you. But I wish you the best. We both deserve better" She states moving her hand over mine and squeezing it supportingly.

"We need to go out and unwind" I say taking her by surprise. I wasn't usually the one that wanted to go out and bar hop but I needed it. I was sure that this would be the highlight of my week. There were just so many stressful things going on at work.

I had been due for a promotion. I had taken on so many projects even going as far as working after hours, no pay, to prove that I was the best candidate for it. I was qualified but something told me that I wasn't going to be getting the job so now I just had to take all the knowledge and skills I had acquired over the last two years and go somewhere else. There had to be better.

Today it just so happened that I would be working on a last minute project for my boss. I hated how he always left his job up to me, when he was getting paid the big bucks. I was just the receptionist I shouldn't have to deal with such details. My job included, answering the phones, making and confirming appointments and keeping track of office supplies. I had plenty to keep me busy with but he always pushed his own agenda upon me.

I had two jobs, he had basically told me I would get fired if I didn't complete his tasks. I previously thought I just had to endure it in till he either got promoted or fired. I didn't get promoted which meant that I had to take my ass out of this dump.

I liked my old boss, Jack, he was incredible, friendly and kind but he passed away and his replacement couldn't hold a candle to him. I had to hold his hand to go through basic tasks in the beginning and I'm stuck piling his reports and making stupid charts for his presentations. I should have believed in my self, I could do have taken over, if only I had applied.

Jack had taken the time to show me how things worked in the advertisement industry. At first I wasn't really interested, I just wanted to do my job. But Jack was smart he would give me only enough work for half of the day and then make me help him out the rest. He gave me tasks that I found intriguing and challenging. He didn't just let me do all the work but taught me the ropes. I think he saw me like his daughter or granddaughter he was a much older man.

If there was someone I saw as family it was Jack. I knew him for little over a year but it was the best year of my life. For the first time in a long time I felt important, all of a sudden it didn't matter that all I had completed in collage was a mere Associates Degree. He had insisted that I should take some more courses but I refused wanting to stay close to him. It was almost as if I had felt something was wrong with him.

I blinked several times after the bing of the elevator sounded. I was finally on the first floor, this building held 10 floors and underground parking. Our office was composed of a complete floor rented out to our company. We were on the lucky number 7 not a far ride but a far climb.

I yawned stretching and feeling as if I were about to rip my black pencil skirt and black jacket. I had to buy these on sale and while they looked good on me, they were way too tight. I sigh loudly and pull my purse closer to me as I open the door and glance back at the building and whispered TGIF.

As soon as the clack of my heals began to hit the floor I got chills and not from the cool night. I could sense his eyes on me. I lifted my head to find his through the darkness of the alley. Every time I saw him it was like I had to learn to breath again.