Belong To the World

Chapter 1: Yet Another Day

March 27th, 2017

Everything has a consequence no matter how little or how big your mistake may seem; in the end it will always have a consequence.

The hardest thing in the world to me was losing my parents and almost my brother. We were all so close...so close to getting out of this homeless lifestyle and finally living with the 'some bodies'. They sacrificed everything to protect me and my brother Miguel. All I ever did was worry. All I ever did was regret. All I ever did was cry. But I can't do any of that anymore. I have to be strong, not only for myself but for Miguel as well.

~*~*

"Solana! Wake up. You're gonna be late for work girl!" My brother would say banging on my bedroom door.

I blankly stared at the pastel white walls as the only thing running through my mind was air. I felt so dead waking up. A sinking feeling, like the titanic, overwhelmed my chest and heart as I began to over think nearly everything.

How am I going to make sure Miguel and I are safe? Are we even safe? What would mom do?... What would dad do?!

Tears began to stripe down my cheeks as I sat up from my dead state. I wiped my face and got up as Miguel was still beating on the door making an unnecessary ruckus.

"Dios mio mama you finna be late if you don't get your ass out that door," Although he is annoying, I love him with all my heart no matter what. If it weren't for him there would be no reason for me to even get out the bed. He is my motivation. Without him who am I?

Walking out the door the first thing my brother says is, "Damn girl is there a guy in there? Messed yo shit up!" He ran away laughing. I was extremely tempted to chase him but I couldn't afford to miss work. I headed straight to the bathroom and closed the door behind me. Staring in the mirror I looked at myself. My hair was a mess, I looked dead.

"Ugh today's gonna be interesting," taking off my clothes I locked the bathroom door and stepped in the shower. The warm water rushed down my skin as I began to clean myself. I kept thinking about how my parents aren't here anymore and how far my brother and I have come; how we are still just barely making it.

I don't have time to catch a break. Like what the fuck is a break? Several moments of nothingness then back to work? I need results and there is no other way to do it if I sit my ass down all day and mope around. I hopped out the shower, dried myself off, put my work clothes on and headed on out the door.

"Seeya sis!" Miguel said waiting for me at the door.

"I'm working double today. Will you be alright?" I said hugging him.

"Yea, yea I'll be fine." He said groaning.

"Okay don't answer the door for no one-"

"Don't answer the door for no one, don't go outside past five pm. If Daryl comes by the money is on the counter and the mailman comes at twelve o'clock noon every day. I know the procedure Solana. You just better hurry and get to work. I promise I'll be fine Lana," Miguel hugged me back as I walked out the door. I was about to head down the hallway to the staircase as I noticed I forgot my keys. Turning around I had bumped into my brother and just to my luck he had the keys I needed. I hugged him one last time and waited for him to get back in the house. The moment I heard the door lock I quickly ran down the staircase so I wouldn't be late for work. The stair well reeked of weed and urine. Not the best place to be living but at least we have a roof over our heads.

~*~*~

Chicago in the morning is much different then how it is a night. I am able to breath and not entirely worry about the safety of my life. However the night life is a completely different story, which is why I dread working double shifts, but I have to work day and night in order to provide for me and my brother.