Fly Away

Chapter 11

R.P.O.V

We stop, we stare.

August, the green eyed teen who told me we weren't all that different is standing in all black in a jewelry store completely motionless.

"Is this what you meant when you said we weren't all that different?" I ask, "sort of, not really." he says. A smirk spreads over his face, "So looks like our cities got a hero now too, heh." He laughs uncomfortably.

"Too bad I have a sister to feed or I would be on your side. It's out-of-control here, well I guess I'm not really helping." That surprises me my sister "Why not just get a job?" I say "No one's going to hire some freak from the slums."

Oh it's one of those cities.

"How about a deal?" I ask he looks skeptical, "Put back with you stole, and I will pay for you and your sisters meals until you can get a job. I will also help you to get a job, and if I find one for myself I will put a portion of my pay on your doorstep every week. If you don't want to talk ever again at any point you can tell me and I will stay away but the money will keep coming, will that work?"

August looks stunned, he slowly starts putting things back and then walks over to me. He stops right in front of me I say "Shall we go get dinner then? What sounds good?"

We walk away and I grab my bag behind the garbage can where I stashed it. We end up carrying three bags of fast food burgers and fries back to an abandoned storefront that is collapsed and rotting, it smells bad.

August leads the way as we pick through the rubble as we get deeper into what is actually a large complex of abandoned buildings so close together they're almost one, the further we go the nicer and less collapsed it gets until we stop at a room that is warm and well lit by a fire burning in the section of tile surrounded by stone.

There are two mats and a collection of old blankets and pillows in one corner, there is a spigot the city didn't care to turn off on another wall dripping slowly, a makeshift table made from cinder blocks and a wood board are in the middle of the room.

It's sparsely decorated, unless you count the pile of beaten and obviously well loved books by the blankets. A little girl with brown hair comes in a little after we do and runs to August practically tackling him ,must be his sister. When she notices me she tries to hide behind August, just barely peeking out until I put the food on the table and August walks over, she follows him.

It doesn't take long until they invite me to sit and eat as well. I start eating and we strike up a conversation, soon we are laughing and telling stories. Even though I am careful with what I reveal I am as truthful as I can be. After dinner August starts reading a book of poems from the pile in the corner to his sister ,whose name I have learned is Grace.

Soon after Grace is asleep.

I stand to go, but August grabs my wrist and says, "We need to talk, and Grace likes you."

                                                                                   I stay.