Finding my Wings

~2~

               When I knew I wasn’t being  lifted to heaven, I came crashing down. My head felt like a jackhammer was pounding the inside walls. Everywhere else felt abused and painful to move. But I knew that shopkeeper would keep to his promise. Uncle wouldn’t be happy if I came home with the police and no money for the night.

                Ngh, my body protested the movement of standing up. Blackness enveloped my eyesight for a minute and it took all I had to keep upright. In the end though my knees buckled and I ended up relying on that dumpster for support just to keep my head off the ground.

                The police would still be nicer than uncle or his friends he’ll surely give me to for the night in compensation for my unreliableness. My eyes closed and I drifted into that place again. Where love really could exist.

***

                It didn’t seem too long before I heard footsteps again in the alleyway. I expected it to be the shopkeeper, come to take me out of this place and into the streets. I took a minute to pull myself together mentally before opening my eyes to the man in front of me.

                “Hey, are you ok? You don’t look so good.”

                My breath caught in my throat. The man in front of me might have been only a year or so older than I was. His hoodie shadowed most of his face but even from the crappy light I could tell he was handsome. Someone you might expect to see at the mall with a beanie a little arm candy to keep him company. What was a he doing here?

                “Hey come on, can’t you hear me? Are you ok? Should I call someone?”

                I sighed raggedly and shook my hand, hoping he’d have enough sense to get out of here before shopkeeper came back to check.

                “No,I’m not leaving you like this. At least tell me your name, I just want to help.”

        Help? Do people do that anymore for others? But he had an earnest expression. It sort of reminded me of a puppy. A lost, intrigued puppy.

        “What’s so funny? Did I say something?”

        I frowned, realizing I’d smiled. He asked for my name again. I wanted to warn him again to leave but I knew he wouldn't no matter how dense he was.

        “Keira.” I croaked. Wow did I swallow a frog or something when that cigar guy had that in my mouth?

        But the boy smiled gently. “Do you need a place to stay Keira? It doesn’t seem like you’ve got a place to go if your hanging out back here.”

        Was he crazy? I could be a psycho killer or something and yet he’s offering something like hospitality? I wanted to roll my eyes but settled with just pulling my face closer to my knees.

        “Just go away.”

        “Not until you give me a straight answer.” He said stubbornly.

        “I already told you my name. You don’t owe me anything, just get out of here.”

        “But I just want to help.” I wasn’t looking but his hand touched my shoulder. It was like he shocked me or something the way I jumped up and away from him banging my hip against the dumpster.

        “If it’s sex your after there’s plenty of prettier girls out there! Can’t you just leave me alone and let me rot!” I shrieked. The frog had left my throat at least.

        He backed off and defensively rose his hands, “Hey I wasn’t implying anything. I just wanted to help, you looked like you needed some.”

        “I’m just trash don’t you get it? See this dumpster here? Well this is where I belong for all anyone cares. I don’t need your fucking pity!” My hands gripped the sides of the metal but a sudden rush of blood to my head made me stumble forward and I almost pitched face-first onto the asphalt.

        “Whoa there. See? You need help and I’m not doing this for me I just wanted to offer you something better then this trash heap you’re calling home right now.” His strong hands lifted me up like I was nothing. I should’ve been freaking out, being so vulnerable in this man’s arms, but in my muddled brain they seemed feel protective when wrapped under my body.

        “Hey you there! Take her and get out of here, I don’t need filthy shit like that by my store! Scram I say!”

        Ah, he’d finally came to kick me out. I was in no position to protest when the boy holding me turned towards the doorway and replied, “I got it, sir. I’m just going to get her back to my place so she won’t be a bother to you anymore.”

        The shopkeeper grunted. “Like I care what happens to sluts like her. Get out of here before I get the cops!” the door slammed shut.

        “Slut?” I felt him shift. Half-expecting for his arms to drop me I anticipated the cold of the concrete to break my fall. But they stayed strong and steady under me. Even when he started walking I didn’t open my eyes to check if he was frowning. I accepted the strange feeling of long forgotten safety and drifted off. The steady beat of a gentle heart sounding in my ear.