Child Control

The Garden

I signed in relief, the weight I didn't realize was there lifting off my shoulders.

"Don't get too excited lassy," Annita said. "I don't usually hire people on the spot so you have your work cut out for you. Come back tomorrow before sunrise and I'll teach ya how things run around here." I thanked her profusely, smiled, and bought myself a celebratory pastry on the way back to my apartment.

I woke with the smile still glued to my face. I was happy I'd be able to work somewhere when I already knew I liked my boos. On my way back to her shop in the morning though, my smile fell. Something about the sleeping haven was... off. I couldn't tell what it was but something was wrong.

I jogged the rest of the way there, making sure to watch every shadow and glance behind me every couple seconds. It didn't feel like I was being watched but it was like the city was holding its breath because a predator was nearby. The uneasy feeling I'd had for months but had been ignoring came rushing to the forefront.

I finally made it to the little shop and tried the door. It was locked. I softly knocked on the wood and waited. Annita came and opened the door, stuck her head out and looked around suspiciously, before grabbing my wrist with surprising strength and dragging me inside. She shut and locked the door behind her.

"Sorry, lassy. I forgot to tell ya to come around the back yesterday. From now on don't come to the front. But always exit from the front." Why is she acting so strange? She's been such a nice and laid back lady so far. Is it because of the city?

"What's wrong with the city?" I blurted out, "Something feels off or dangerous." She looked at me, surprise written all over her face before she masked it and it changed into an assessing look.

"I'm surprised ya picked up on that lassy. For most people it takes years." She didn't answer my question but turned away and walked to the back of the shop and walked to a pot on the stove. She and waved me over and shut the door to the front. "I'm going to show ya how I make my solid soaps. I start with..." She showed me around her shop, pointing out different herbs and ingredients used to make her soaps.

She had me grind herbs, pick them from her garden out back, lay them to dry and pour the hot soap into molds to cool. Somehow, the work lasted all day. It was interesting to be on the other side of the counter and it made me see the shop in a different light. The work she had me do distracted me from my questions as I threw myself into the work.

"Good work lassy. I'll let ya work up front tomorrow. We have a lot to cram into that head of yours."

"Yes, ma'am."

The next day I went back to the little shop and walked around to the back door. Even though this was the door the employees went through it looked unused, like it hadn't been opened in years. I knocked on the door and it was immediately opened by Annita. I suspected she was standing there waiting for me to knock for a while. This attitude change was giving me whiplash and I didn't know what to make of it. She wasn't rude but it was obvious she was being very cautious for some reason. I thought she trusted me.

"I am going to have ya upfront with the customers today. Some of the customers are questionable because we are so close to the Dark Market. My assistant Yov will be working with you, showing ya the ropes and making sure everything runs smoothly. If ya have questions lassy, ask her and listen to what she says." Annita led me to the front of the shop, with all the soaps and teas on display and led me to Yov standing behind the register. She was a beautiful dark-skinned black woman, with well-toned muscles that told me she must have done hard labor at the Facility.

"Hi! My name is Torana." I said, hoping if I was extra friendly she would be too.

"Oh hey, girl! Nice to meet you." She smiled at me, her teeth almost blindingly white against her dark skin. Annita looked back at forth between us.