The Yellow Roof

Mr. Smirk and late for work

I limped as fast as I could to keep up with his long stride. His tan hair swayed from side to side. He looked down and smiled at me like he genuinely liked me.

"It's a little ways yet." He quirked an eyebrow. "Think you can make it?"

I winced. "I have to."

I tripped on a rock and yelped. Great. Twisted my ankle even more. I tried to take a step, fell, and tried my hardest not to cry.

"Late for work?" he said.

I nodded and wiped away a tear that escaped.

He gave me a checkered bandanna. "You're in no shape to work that shift yet. I'll get you to my place, clean you up, and drive you to the factory."

He helped me up, and caught me when my knee gave out.

"I can't walk," I said.

He rubbed his chin. "I could carry you."

Gritting my teeth, I nodded once. What choice did I have? He swung me into his arms like I weighed nothing. His hard chest felt oddly comforting. He moved at a fast clip toward a dead end.

He slowed in front of a house with a huge porch, big windows, and--I gasped--a yellow roof. He set me on the top step. "What's your name, missy?"

I pealed my gaze away from the roof. "Sarah."

The sparkle left his eyes. "A good name." He climbed the five steps in one huge leap. The screen door creaked. "Be right back."

I cracked my neck leaning so far back to see the roof. I hadn't seen yellow since Mom had taken away my crayons. I frowned. The rest of the houses were the standard grey. I searched the block for the cameras. There they stood on the corner. The paint was chipped and faded, so it wasn't new. Why hadn't he been arrested?

The door slammed shut. "Here we go." He sat a few steps below me. He picked up my arm and took a small bottle from a first aid kit. He shook it. "This may sting."

It did, but not as much as my heart.

He smiled. "You and my daughter would have been friends. Her name was Sarah too."

There's that word again.

For fear of looking stupid, I said, "Would have? Where is she?"

His jaw hardened. "Factory accident." He wrapped my arms in a rough white cloth. "She was late that day too."

I shook my head. "I'm sorry."

A sad smile replaced the hurt on his face. "Yellow was her favorite color."

"Mine too."

"You two would have gotten on splendidly. Best friends even."

What does that mean?!

He straightened his shoulders. "I can't do anything about your leg. Only time can help that."

I stood. "If I don't have to walk, I'll be fine."

"You're lucky, Sarah. My job allows certain privileges. One of them is a car. I'll drive you to the factory."

"Thank you, Mr..."

"Joathom Smirk." He stretched out his hand. I took it, liking the callused feel.

"My car is in the garage around where I found you." He smiled. "I'm late too."

My eyes shot open. Why was he being nice? "I'm so sorry! I didn't know!" My voice shook.

He chuckled. "Don't worry about it." He stood, blocking out the sun. "Ready?"I

I nodded and he picked me up once again.

******

He stopped in front of the bike. It still stood on its own. A chill went up my back. "How is it doing that?"

I felt him tilt his head. "What were you doing when you fell?"

"It was making this horrible noise, and I told it to stop."

I gasped.

"Yep," he said. "It was following your order. It's stopped and hasn't moved. I'll return it to the station after I drop you off."

He wasn't just being nice, he was willing to get into big trouble to help me.

He turned and set me on the ground by a maddeningly square building. He fiddled with a key pad until something beeped and clicked. The building rumbled. Gears grinding together made me wince. A door shifted upward in a jerky motion. A sleek black car peeked out. I wondered how Mr. Smirk could ever fit in it.

He lifted me into the car with surprisingly gentle movements. He got in and drove through the empty streets until the factory loomed over us, filling up most of the sky.

"Can you make it in, or do you want me to carry you?"

I opened the door. "I think I can do it. Thank you so much, Mr. Smirk."

"My pleasure. I hope we meet again."

I waved as he drove into the maze of Big City. I took a shaky breath, and went into the factory.

"SARAH!"

I cringed.

Overseer stomped out of the shadows, top hat sitting off center.

My teeth started to chatter. "I'm sorry. I-I missed the train, and had an accident--"

He slapped me across the face. I fell and bit my lip. I couldn't cry. Not now.

"I don't care," he bellowed. "You'll work an extra shift for your laziness."

I nodded. He grabbed my hair and jerked me to my feet.

"Get to work!"

"Yes, Father."

------------
GASP!! Didn't know that was gonna happen. Please vote and tell me what you think :)