Rays of Hope

Chapter One

Chapter 1: Ray’s POV

As I’m walking towards my favorite secluded park, I see a group of young school children on a field trip. They look so happy. Not a care in the world that they had to worry about. I wish I was still that innocent, still that young. Instead, I’m a miserable twenty six year old man who still worries about his future and his career.

Sending the small children a quick smile, I hear the teachers gush about my book. Great, more fans to put pressure on me? Stepping over a puddle, left over from the rain earlier this morning, I continue on my way.

Once I get to the park, I see a few people sitting at the benches, all reading my book, except for one young woman. Taking a quick glance at her, I take in her hideous yellow rain jacket. Turning away before the fans recognize me, even though I appreciate their support, I head down a lone path, shaded by tree branches, dripping in raindrops.

As I approach an empty bench, overlooking the pond in the center of the park, I let out a sigh of relief, finally feeling calm, even if it was for a moment. Staring at the ducks, swimming in  circles through the murky water, I almost feel at home. I had always loved being alone with nature as a child. Maybe that was why I felt uncomfortable around big crowds.

As I was sitting, I noticed the girl in the yellow rain jacket, walking along the edge of the pond and sitting down at the banks. She pulled out what seemed to be a sketchbook, but I did not think much of it.

Then, I close my eyes to get some much needed rest.

****

I peel open my crusty eyelids, peering up at sunlit sky. How long had I slept for? Glancing around the park, I decide that it must be almost noon. Most of the people who had been reading here earlier were now gone. Most likely heading off to work, in their small cramped offices, or their light paying waitress jobs. Now my job was much better. I could work when and how I wanted, and I didn’t have a strict boss. Sure, my publishing company hounds me for a copy of what I am working on every once in a while, but they keep me on track.

The sun suddenly became hidden behind a cloud, its light being blocked from my sight. Looking up and frowning, I decide that I should get going, before it rained once again. Standing up stiffly, I brush the dirt from my jeans, and cracked my neck side to side. The bench had not been the most comfortable place to sleep on, but I already felt a million times better than I had this morning. Now that I was relaxed, maybe I could think up an idea for my book. Starting to walk back to where my apartment was, I began to whistle.

 ****

Shoving the medal key into the lock, I twist the door knob, before entering my penthouse. Flicking on the light switch that was near the door, I toe off my sneakers and head into the kitchen. I didn’t even remember what I had eaten for breakfast, and I was hungry again. Grabbing the take out that I had leftover in the fridge, I shove it in the microwave, still in the cardboard container.

When the chime sounded that my lunch was done, I pull the steaming hot container out of the microwave. Hissing at the heat that reached my fingers, I abruptly drop the container onto the counter, before finding a towel I could pick it up with. Once the heat was masked, I carry the container into the living room and set it onto the table in front of the couch. Turning on the television, I start flipping through the channels, before settling on some mystery TV show that I could stand. Leaning back into the plush cushions of the couch, I was once again relaxed.

 ****

Having finished my lunch, I turn the television off, before heading into the kitchen where I dump the take out box into the sink, which was beginning to pile up with boxes and dirty dishes. Walking down the hallway, I head to my room and open my laptop, which had been left on my bedspread. Opening the document I had saved with book ideas, I frowned. None of these seemed right for me!

Groaning in frustration, I ran my fingers through my dark brown hair, causing it to stick up in all directions. Not bothering to straighten the mess out, I fell back into the pillows.

For some strange reason I begin to think about the girl at the park today. Why wasn’t she reading my book? And why did she look so serene? What made her life so calm? How could I be at peace?  

Avery’s POV

Closing my sketchbook, I decide to call it a day. Having spent hours sketching out ideas for my new art piece, I notice that the sun’s already coming down. Before leaving, I stand up, brushing off the dirt, and wonder if the heat in my apartment will work tonight. Blowing a breath of air from my chapped lips, I walk to the nearest fast food joint, to find a cheap meal, I haven’t eaten anything in almost two days, trying to save up money for my next college payment, and just being too swamped with work.

Finding a twenty- four hour McDonald’s, I head inside, ready to digest the greasy dollar burgers. Sitting down at a table near the windows, I watch the cars driving through the drive-through lane. I wish I had a car, but I would definitely not be able to afford one. Sighing, I begin to hungrily eat my burger, letting the grease drip down my chin, not caring how I look. I’m so hungry and done with the stares I’m getting, with me in my dirty clothes and carrying bag, I look homeless.

Finishing my Coke, I head up to the counter and ask the acne-faced teenager manning the register for a refill. When he looks down at me, or to be more exact, looks down at my breasts, I instantly feel uncomfortable with the look he’s giving me. I pull my shirt up, attempting to cover anything and everything that he can look at and then pull my cardigan over me.

“Hey pretty lady!” he purrs, attempting to seem older and charming. Giving him a disgusted look, I wait for him to refill my soda cup. He ends up still flirting with me as he refills it, starting to get me even more nervous and eager to leave. I didn’t like attention, I was wary of men or people in general, and was extremely shy. Holding the refill in my hands, I return back to my table and quickly throw away my trash in the bin. Slinging the strap that had been on the back on the metal chair back over my shoulder, I walk to the door, pushing it open with my side. Taking a sip out of the plastic straw in my cup, I start the not very long walk back to my apartment.

****

Arriving at my run down apartment building, I crinkle my nose up at the smell being emitted from the musty building. I press the buzzer and head inside, locating the staircase, as I pass by the broken down elevator. I began to trudge up the steep stairs, often re-shouldering my bag as I went. Coming to the floor with my apartment on it, I head down the hallways, stopping in front of my door. Pulling out my keys, I twist them in the lock and open my door, stepping through the doorway.

Once I walk in, I notice the lights flickering on and off repeatedly, as usual. I should really buy new lights, but with what money? All my income goes towards my rent and college tuition. I turn the lights off, so they won’t burn as quickly, for there is a small amount of  sunlight still streaming through the windows. While I put on my pajamas, I grab a book that I got from the library and I think about the handsome, yet kind of creepy man who was watching me at the park. Why was he watching me? And why did he look so familiar?

With these thoughts in my head, distracting me from my reading, I decide to just sleep earlier than usual. This was my only day off of both of my jobs so I want to get as much rest as I possibly could. Pulling my thin blanket over me, I pray not to have another dream about my family, but know that it’s going to happen anyway. Lately I’ve been trying to connect with God more, I want to at least have a connection with someone, instead of being alone.