The Key to the Past

Chapter 1

I've been through the foster care system more times than I can count. It seems that as soon as I hit puberty no one wants to deal with you anymore. And it all started when I was found as a toddler in my house with my parents no where to be found. No one has a clue what happened to them, most think that they were killed. I don't know what to think. All I know is since I turned 18 I've been on my own because the state was through with me 2 years before but legally could not be. So I've been on the streets on and off for almost 2 years. And I'm turning 21 in 9 months.

I felt like crap and it didn't help that so many felt like showing up and there were never enough chairs in the first place. I hate coming to the temp agency, you always have to get up early with no hope of getting an assignment because there's never enough or you don't have the right skills for them so they won't offer nor even show them to you. Today I showed up earlier than usual, 5am is 4 hours before they start assigning anything, all in hopes of getting something today. But others had the same idea. And when all the seats filled, this obviously fit man who was probably just to lazy to keep a job and an arrogant asshole to boot. He demanded me to get up or else. And I understood that "or else" easily but I couldn't give a crap. I simply stared him down, in my opinion other people trying to shove through the door were more deserving of the seat than this idiot. He didn't take to kindly to my defiance as he grasped my hair and flung me to the floor. I smashed my face on the chair next to me, my temple smashing on the corner feeling a drop of liquid slip down the side of my face. Than was kicked by who was probably his buddy as they came in at the same time. They said nothing to me just laughed as I went to go stand in the only space left on the back corner. Yanking a hand ful of tissues as I slumped past one of the tables. I spend the next 3 hours glaring at the bullies and babied my face, throwing each dirty tissue into my pocket.

As soon as the temp agency officially opened I was one of the first ones to get an offer but before that I had to pass right past the bully's. And they tried to trip me, I noticed soon enough that I only stumbled but it was enough to fluff their egos. I sighed in frustration but continued walking up to the desk. I smiled at the lady sitting there. She gave me a sympathy smile back, she'd been here since the beginning and had seen everything that had happened. She pointed me to the door that was my golden ticket towards food.

Stepping through I was welcomed by a different face than the usual gentleman. She was definitely more friendly, you could tell by her smile and the way she said hi. The lady was on the thicker side but it was hard to tell her height because she stayed seated. Her grey hair had streaks of brown trying to hold their ground against the invading silver. It was hard to tell the color of her eyes since she didn't look directly at me, but they were dark and warming. This time I sat down willingly and welcomed the hope of maybe finding a good job. Maybe doing the impossible and finding a permanent one. If only.

"Well let us see what I can get you." She shuffled through some files. Without looking up she stated, "I heard about the incident that happened out there. I'd say you handled yourself very well. And I always say you reap what you sow." She finished her search, handed me a file and looked me right into my eyes. It made me feel funny, not bad just weird. I slowly nodded and made my way out of the room. "You should probably head over there now." Before I closed the door I heard her whisper "I will see you soon, princesse."

After shaking off the weird feeling again I headed to the door. I was able to leave without an issue as the boys were already gone. And I think the cop car has something to do with that. I looked down at the file in my hand. It was paper thin compared to most of the ones I've been handed. The red paper was worn from all the times it had been opened than passed over. Opening it the first thing I noticed was the request date. It was from nearly 6 months ago. The end date told me I only had 3 months left. Again I sighed but this time for the fact that this won't last. The only other thing on the paper was an address to go to. There was nothing about the job or what was required. I've heard about these and only the most desperate take these jobs in fear of what was in store. What can I say I must be desperate if I honestly considered it.

The address was out at the edge of town. I had enough to take a bus about 3/4th of the way there. I would have to walk the rest of the way there since that was the closest stop. But I've done much worse for money. I walked over to the bus station. Lucky for me it was where the long distance buses ran. The station was full of people heading to work especially those from the temp agencies. Off in the corner was the ticket stand I needed. I was able to get my ticket quickly because of the fact there was no line in front of the counter. The man told me flatly that I should hurry or else I will miss this bus and I'd have to wait 3 hours for another one. I glared at him and growled as I ran out the door to the back part of the lot. I was nearly hit a couple of times by a few different buses. One bus driver started to yell at me. My natural reaction was to flip him off and scream profanities. I was almost to distracted for the bus I needed started to drive off. Luckily the bus driver notice me and was kind enough to stop. I hopped on and quickly took my seat in the rear. I settled down for the hour drive it would take to get to my stop.