Cross My Heart (18+)

Arrival

4 Months Later

I laced up my boots with my frigid fingers, and pulled my leather jacket even tighter around my shoulders as I tried to shield myself from the intense icy breeze. I lifted a thumb, waiting patiently for someone to gift me a ride. I knew what I was doing was dangerous, considering the fact that I was a young girl, but I had no choice. I absolutely had to get out of my home state, now known as The Genesis Republic, and go as far as possible — so the ones who found my mother wouldn't find me. She owed money to them for drugs, and never could pay them back due to the bankruptcy that plagued the states. Not only this, but the government and law enforcement agencies also collapsed due to the growing mafias that protested them. There were practically no laws now, meaning it was fair-game for everyone. I had no choice but to escape and keep in hiding in order to stay safe.

A black pick-up truck slowly came to a stop, making me sigh in relief. I began walking towards the truck, ensuring the pocket knife was still in my jacket pocket in case I needed it for self protection — I knew I couldn't trust anyone. I slowly opened the door, my hands up as a sign that I intended no harm. I came face-to-face with an older gentlemen, grey hair speckling across his brown hair and beard. He had a cigar hanging out of his mouth, and his hands were dirty. I graciously nodded, sitting down on the cold leather seat.

"Where to, princess?" His gruff voice broke the silence. I wanted to gag at the pet name, but I withheld my reaction. "I'm looking to go to Perish Heights, I hear they have work. Is that true?" I questioned, keeping my eyes on the barren road as he drove. He grunted in response. My mother had given me some spare money as well as booked an apartment. The money was only enough to last me for a few months, due to the fact that it was every penny she had left.

"Only about thirty miles east of here. There's a bottle of water in the back if you're parched, as well as some canned food. Do you have a place to stay?" I was shocked by his kindness. I really did need to stop judging people by their auras. I grabbed the plastic bottle from the back, letting the liquid fall down my throat. I hadn't had anything to drink in days.

"Yes, thank you." I murmured, before letting the rattle of the car lull me to sleep.

         "We're here, princess." I slowly peeled my eyes open, relieved that we had made it here safely. I quietly thanked him before opening the car door, stepping out onto the dirt ground. Before I had the chance to say anything else to the mysterious man, he skidded off, his tires screeching. The dust flew into my eyes, making them burn as I inhaled the grime. I coughed loudly, looking around the city that was beneath me. There were bright lights everywhere, showing signs of life. In the distance I could here people yelling, laughing, and cursing. Maybe this place would be safe for me. Back in Genesis, there were hardly any signs of life. Here, however, there was almost an overwhelming amount of it. I softly smiled to myself, feeling relief flood my senses.

I released my heavy bag from my shoulder, pulling out the small piece of paper with written instructions my mother had given me in order to reach the apartment. I walked for what seemed like an eternity, my feet aching. I could've easily asked the man to drive me to my exact destination, but I could trust not a soul on this planet. No one could know where I close my eyes at night, in order for me to stay safe.

I sighed in relief as I found the small apartment building that my mother had earlier booked for me, before she passed. I entered and was given a key, the desk man hardly making eye contact with me. "You're not safe here, woman. This is no place for a young girl like you." I heard his deep voice said as I was beginning to walk upstairs into my room. I felt a chill run down my spine, but I did not speak. Sudden anger sparked in my as the words repeated in my head. If only he knew what I had experienced in my lifetime.

I quietly walked upstairs, feeling the old wooden floor creak beneath my weight. When I arrived at my room, I unlocked the door and was pleasantly surprised. The room was obviously bare, but there was a small twin-sized bed with a throw blanket on top of it. The kitchen was small, but all I needed. When I went into the bathroom, I had the biggest grin splayed across my face. A bathtub. I hadn't taken a real shower or bath in months, only rinsed off in a near frozen lake. I know, disgusting; but I had to make do with what I had.

I set my bag down on the ground, closing the curtains that exposed the city night lights before beginning to run hot water in the bath. I stripped off my dirty clothes, sliding into the tub. I used the bar of soap retrieved from my bag, scrubbing away at all of the grime built up on my skin. I grimaced as I watched the water turn grey. I quickly drained the water, wanting to slap myself in the face for wasting it. I was practically bathing in my own filth.

I turned the shower on, scrubbing my hair and body until the water ran clear. As I stepped out, I wrapped myself in a fuzzy towel the apartment had oddly provided. I wiped the now foggy mirror, staring at the reflection I had refused to look at in many months.

My once light grey eyes had dulled to a deeper grey, encapsulated in dark blue circles. The freckles that splayed across the bridge of my nose had faded due to the lack of sun. My curly black hair hit my waist, but it was clearly very poorly tended to. I quickly turned my head away from the mirror, feeling disgusted.

I slipped on an old t-shirt and underwear, wanting sleep to consume me immediately. However, the man at the front desks words kept echoing in my brain: "This is no place for a young girl like you."