Parapsychology (MPHFPC)

Chapter 3

Callie's POV

You know after my thirteenth birthday, when my parents kicked me out for no reason, I knew my life would never be white picket fence, normal. Not when I'm living alone with a cat in an abandoned apartment complex in the middle of a war.

My apartment complex is just put side of Amherst in Nova Scotia, Canada. 

The cat, who was taking shelter in the apartments when I got here's name is Hazel. She was wearing a collar but no one was in sight. I think she abandoned, like me.

In Amherst I work, cleaning the floors, counters and shelves of a grocery store. When Canada joined the war a lot changed, men left their jobs to fight, older women took their places in the work force. It left younger people like me to take the lower jobs, the ones that don't pay much or require much of an education. My job doesn't pay much, but it's something. It also means people don't notice as much when I "Borrow" blankets, food, water, and cat food from the store. They barely noticed when I took a radio and no one suspected it was me.

I look like my dad, with curly red hair that comes from an Irish ancestor I've never met.

Despite everything though, I'd found a new kind of normal. And a way to be happy. Music. And the cat surprisingly. I'd never been a cat person but ever since the first truly cold night of my first winter alone when she curled with me for warmth I knew at least we would be friends.

It was a wash day for me. So I took what clothes I had and a bar of soap to the stream nearby. One by one I washed them all.

Now I always had to be careful, I was alone, there was now way I could possibly afford health care and woods surrounded the apartment complex. There was always going to be wildlife I needed to look out for.

So when I heard a twig snap as I was washing my next to last piece, I froze. I slowly lifted my head and to my shock I saw not a wolf, or elk, or moose across the stream for me. But two girls one older than me, the other younger.

Both were very ragged and had wildly tangled hair. Their clothes were damp except for the bottoms of their dresses which were in the water of the stream.

The older one had what I was going to guess was supposed to be blonde hair, and she looked apprehensive, even a little murderous. Like she wouldn't hesitate to kill me and ransack the abandoned apartments for my things in order to survive.

The little one had brown hair and kind eyes, a soft face. She looked relieved to see me. As if I was the first sign of humanity they'd seen in days.

Before I had the chance to react the little one ran towards me.

" Hi, I'm Bronwyn Bruntley. Do you know where we are? " She said. Her voice was a little strained as if her throat was dry. The older girl glared at her, presumably for approaching me.

" Hello. My name is Callie Brooks. You're in Amherst, Nova Scotia. "

I could tell by the looks on their faces, and the accent in Bronwyn's voice that they weren't from here.

"And where might that be?" The older one said. She too sounded like she desperately needed a glass of water.

" Like, as in country? "

The girl gave a stiff nod.

"You're in Canada." I told them.

" Canada, I've never been there before. " Bronwyn said.

I smiled at her. " I figured that might be the case. "

The pair didn't looked like siblings, but I couldn't figure any other reason they'd be together, just the two of them.

"If you don't mind me asking, where are your parents? " I asked. Trying to puzzle out why they were alone in the woods, in this state.

Bronwyn opened her mouth to answer but the older girl beat her to it.

" Where are yours? " She shot back.

" They kicked me out of the house, about a year ago. Now I live in an abandoned apartment complex, just over there. " I turned around and pointed in the direction of the apartment complex.

" Do you live alone? " She asked.

" Yes, with the exception of the stray cat who hangs around and some spiders. " I answered back.

" Do you think you could help us then? " Bronwyn asked.

" I suppose so. What do you need help with? "

" Shelter mostly. And food and water. You see we don't have parents either. We lived in a children's home. We were relocating when our boat crashed. Now we don't know where any one else is. " Bronwyn answered.

I felt my heart melt. They were just as lost and alone as I was. I also had no reason not to believe them. Their story explained why they were together but didn't look like relatives. It was reasonable for their home to be relocating too, they probably lived where the war was bad and we're heading to America.

I smiled at the girl. " Of course I'll help you. What kind of person would I be if I didn't help a people in need. Especially since I've been in a similar situation. Follow me. "

Bronwyn smiled brightly and grabbed hold of my hand as I picked up the rest of my laundry.

" My name's Emma by the way. " The older girl said as we walked back towards the apartments. I nodded and sent a smile her way too.

We reached the apartment complex and I turned the radio on and I hung up my clean laundry to dry.

Then I got to work, I handed each of them a bottle of water which they gulped down quickly. I also handed them a blanket for them to share.

I didn't have any fresh clothes that would fit either of them so the blanket would have to do to keep them warm for now.

As I gave them some crackers and a bit of cheese, Hazel came in and made a beeline for Bronwyn and Emma. She sniffed them both then began too rub up against them. I could hear the purring all the way from where I was.

" Wow. It took two weeks to get her to even let me touch her. Emma, Bronwyn, this is Hazel. She was here when I got to the apartments. "

Bronwyn smiled and reached down to pet Hazel who leant into the touch.

I smiled at the sight.

I hadn't let it on yet, but despite the fact that it would mean extra work for me. I was relieved to have other people to talk to. As great as Hazel was, I couldn't help but crave human contact.

" Alright well, I have to go to work now. You two stay here please. I'll be back in about seven hours with more food and some clothes that should fit you. "

Emma nodded, as Bronwyn continued to pet Hazel.

" We'll stay here. "

I smiled at them once again as I put on a light jacket and made my way outside. Mounting the bike I'd stolen and riding into town for work.

~
AN: Hi, this is the first chapter with my new character Callie! I hope you liked it. Please let me know what you think of her so far, or what you think of the story in general so far.

- Ash