Rogue

Chapter 6 - Talk

Chapter 6 – Talk

Leto was asleep when her father staggered in. She heard his heavy footsteps, the clang as he dropped his knife on the table and the ragged sound of his breathing. Pungent cigarette smoke filled the small room. She stirred at the disturbance and shifted. The sunlight streaming through the thin curtain and the rested feeling in her body told her that it was late enough to get up. She rubbed her eyes and eased herself out from between Sera and Brian. Both of her siblings had snuck under her blanket during the night and were curled against her. She shivered from the sudden cold. The children were two orbs of heat that helped shield against the autumn chill.

“Pa?” she mumbled.

“Good. You’re awake. Why isn’t there anything to eat in this house?”

“I...I didn’t get a chance to go to the shop this week. There wasn’t any more money.”

The half-truth rolled out of her mouth easily for so early in the morning. She didn’t want to admit the real reason she hadn’t gone to the shop. She was still scared. She still had a small amount of the wage Ouma gave her for housework, but she didn’t want to spend it until it was absolutely necessary.

“Ugh. You useless kind. I’m going to rest for a bit, and when I get up, I want food. Go!”

Leto had no choice but to get dressed quickly and trudge to the shop. The brisk air shook the last dregs of sleep from her body. She waved to Ouma as she jogged past, enjoying the heat of the sunshine. She slowed down as she approached the turn for the shop. The money – a twenty-rand note – was deep in her jeans pocket and well out of sight. She was conscious of the thin piece of paper against the fabric as she walked towards the red Coca-Cola sign. Some children played an early game of soccer in the street, their bright energy a stark contrast to the shadow of fear that crept across her. She tried to reassure herself by their presence. It was safe with them around. Although they wouldn’t be able to do anything if someone tried to harm her, they were witnesses. She took a deep breath to calm her anxiety as she stepped into the shade of the railroad bridge. The steady hum of rush-hour traffic could be heard, coming from the nearby main-road. After one last glance at the area, she stepped into the shop.

To her relief, it was empty except for the shopkeeper. He gave her a glance before returning to his newspaper. She picked up a loaf of bread and a few tomatoes. The silence, broken only by the rustle of paper as the shopkeeper read, unnerved her. She completed her purchase and hurried from the shop.

On the street corner, she met Warren. His gaze was focussed on his cellphone-screen, and he almost collided with her as she stepped onto the pavement.

“Jammer, Leto. I didn’t see you there. Howzit?”

He nodded his head as he asked the question and grinned. He slouched against a street-light.

“I’m alright, you know.”

“You look a bit...bliek. Doesn’t seem alright.”

“It’s nothing.”

Part of her wondered why he was still being so cordial with her after she’d been so harsh to him. He was either very forgiving, or he wanted something. The latter seemed more likely.

“Let me carry that bag for you,” he offered.

“It’s fine, I got it.”

“I’ll walk with you, then.”

She mentally sighed, but nodded. There was a chance she’d find out what he was after. Halfway down the block, she gave up and asked him.

“Why are you still being nice to me, after I was so nasty the other day?”