I'm Here, It's Okay

2.

Rustles could be heard on the carpet as Khabir stirred to consciousness. She hadn't slept through the night, as she periodically woke up to make sure the sleeping child was okay. Rolling to her side, she pushed herself up into a seated position to analyze the young girl's condition. Jey's breaths were constant, only shallow when it seemed the pain was swelling, but her strengthening pulse was a good sign.

She woke an hour later, stretching out on the couch and releasing a long, high pitched groan. Propping herself up slightly, she noticed that the woman who rescued her was not in sight. Jey surveyed the apartment, having barely been coherent enough to notice any of its features the night before. There was little furniture, poor lighting, and a plethora of dirty items scattered across the floor.

"Breakfast is ready," rang a recognizable voice from around the corner. Khabir came in with a tray of eggs, toast, and a glass of orange juice. She sat the items on the coffee table in the center of the room and kneeled down next to the staring girl. The two looked at each other, gathering information about the person who sat in front of them. "I'm sorry for the mess, it's not exact mine. How did you sleep?"

There was a moment of silence as Jey seemed to formulate her words, "Okay," she responded in broken up syllables.

"That's good to hear, and your head? How is it?"

"Hurts...but...is...okay," the young girl answered slowly and once again in a choppy manner.

She must not be used to talking, thought Khabir, but that's to be expected. She was alone, and unless she was dumped there then she was probably alone from the start. The thought of abandonment resonated within the waitress' mind, causing her to zone out in painful remembrance.

A hand brushed her hair, startling her out of her haze. "Stare..." said Jey.

"Stare? Oh, was I staring at you?" A nod was the reply. Khabir apologized swiftly and explained what happened. She asked if the young girl had any family, or if there was anything she could tell about herself.

"I...Jey. I live...nowhere. No...family. No family since...long time. I alone. Was walk on hill when fall down...hit head on rock. Thought I die...when you come," answered the girl through much focus. She noticed that tears were welling in Khabir's eyes, ones that fell with conviction for those who abandoned such an innocent girl. Two. Innocent girls.

"I'm sorry to hear that, I really am. How old are you? Do you know?" the 17 year old asked through her stifled crying.

"Yes...keep track of days...I am six—"

"Ah, I thought you were young when I saw
you—"

"—teen."

"What?!" replied Khabir, baffled. "But you're so small!"

The younger girl responded with noises of indignant disapproval. Weakly, she pouted and attempted to turn herself away, despite that being the side her wound was on.

"Awe no I'm sorry dear, I didn't mean it like that. I just meant you looked too...cute to be so grown up,"  said Khabir, trying to win Jey back over.

More noises, this time of contemplation and thought. Ultimately, the younger girl accepted the explanation and shifted back to face the older one. "Who you?" she asked.

"Oh, right, how rude of me! I never introduced myself, my name is Khabir. It's a weird one I know, I think my par—...someone, said it was African or something. I'm 17, and I'm a waitress at a restaurant called the Prince. I was on the way home from there when I found you," she explained as she grabbed the plate and began to feed Jey in fear that the food would get cold.

"Mmm," hummed the small girl, both in response to Khabir's greeting and in affection of the food. She swallowed the bites whole, it was clear she hadn't eaten in a long time. Soon the plate was done, and the orange juice followed quickly after. The girl licked her lips and smiled. "Yummy."

"Why thank you," the older girl said, but a question was plaguing her mind, after some time she brought it to life, "you haven't anywhere to go, do you?" she asked softly.

Jey looked away, staring at something that didn't seem to be in the real world. Eventually, she looked down, and silently shook her head. Khabir became lost in thought once more. She couldn't just leave her back on the street, what kind of person would that make her? But even so, it's not like she could just keep her, right? The financial struggle was already very real without caring for someone else.

Then a memory hit her, and she froze. A memory of her parents. Of them leaving her for dead, calling her a failure and a mistake. Screams, telling her they wish she would die. All because her existence was too hard for them, because she was a burden to her own blood.

"I'll take care of you," Khabir said adamantly, "and I'll never leave you behind." Jey stared in shock, almost in disbelief.

"Why?" the young girl asked.

"Because I used to be just like you, and I had no one," replied the 17 year old with hot tears streaming down her reddening cheeks. "I'm gonna take care of you. No matter what. I'm just scared of what he's gonna do..."

Jey tilted her head in confusion. "He?" she asked. Just then a key was heard entering the lock, and a shadow spilled under the door.

"Jerry. My boyfriend."

//

Thank you for reading! The suspense is building right? What's Jerry gonna do when he finds out?  If you enjoyed, leave a vote, comment, and follow to stay updated! Stay creative, love you!

Prophecy, out