Kind-Hearted

Chapter 1: The Diner

Today was going to be a long day. But not an unusual day. The diner was dimly lit and smelled like vanilla candles. Not unpleasing, but not the most pleasing either. The green paint was chipped and cracked across the walls, and the service needed some work as well. Welcome back, Rose Adams. 

"What can I do for you?" I asked. An overweight man is his fifties arrived at the counter.

"Make me a vanilla coffee, and make it snappy!" he said, a bit snarkily. I sighed. Was I ever going to be treated like somebody who mattered? Not that I could complain. I had been transferring jobs for the past 5 years. I had finally been blessed with this one. It wasn't much pay, but it was enough to sustain me. I handed the man his coffee and the next person in line came up. Aiden Walker. He had been here for the past 5 months, and I still had no idea why he was here. I mean,  I thought all billionaires went to fancy parties with fancy food. 

"Good morning, Mr. Walker." I said. "What would you like today?"

"A black coffee, please." he said courteously. This was the only respect I would get today.

"Mrs. Adams." said my boss, Jonathan Miller. He reeked of old pizza and smelly socks. I wondered where he lived. I couldn't help but wrinkle my nose at the stench. It was obvious that Aiden was affected as well. He excused himself to his table and concentrated on work.

"Your. Pay. Mrs. Adams." he said. It was a small wad of cash, barely enough to support myself and my sister, Charlotte. Oh well. I served a couple more customeres and then the diner closed up for the day. The winter cold bit at my thin coat. I shivered. I walked into my apartment. Charlotte was funding, I had to pay for the clothes and food. 

"Who-" she said.

"It's me, Charlotte." I said. 

"Oh." she responded, then she went back to... whatever she was doing. I sighed. Why did my life have to be like this. I lied down on the sofa and took a nap.

-3 hours later-

Charlotte was tapping me on the shoulder.

"Charlotte, what? Why, no what are you doing?" I asked sleepily.

"Listen, Rose. I'm heading off into the city. Chicago, to be precise. I-" she said, but I cut her off.

"Why?" I responded, fully awake now.

"It's for the best," she whispered, and then she was gone. I hoped that was all a dream. It wasn't. Charlotte had left for Chicago in the morning, with a note that said "I'm Sorry." As if that could make up for it. Now I would be stuck paying the apartment and clothes. Why was my life like this? I tried not to complain. But it was hard. My father and my mother barely cared about me at all.

-Flashback- 

"No mum! Where's he taking me?" I said. 

"Honey, don't complain. NOW GO." she said. The man who was holding my hand leered at me creepily. 

"HELP ME!" I screamed.

"Shut the little brat up!" said the man. My mother slapped me across the cheek.

"NOW GO." she roared. Terrified, I shook the man off and ran downstairs to the basement. I was running away. I locked myself in. I heard my family trying to bash through the door. It would give way at any second. I launched myself through the window. My hands and legs were bleeding severely, but all I needed was a split second. I ran, ran like I had never run before.

Some people looked at me quizically. Some in fear. But I just ran, ran, ran. I ran to my aunt's house, where my sister Charlotte was staying.

"Rose?" asked Charlotte, confused.

"There's no time to explain, Auntie Elizabeth, Charlotte, I need you to take me in!" I said. Charlotte looked confused, but Auntie understood. It had finally happened. They had become abusive. She drove me and Charlotte to a beautiful brick house. For safety, she had explained. Inside was everything I might need. Also a beautiful mahogany switchblade. For self-defense, she had said. I hoped I would never need to use it. Then she left. Charlotte had to go to home soon enough, and I stayed. 

But then I heard a chilling conversation.

"NO! Over my dead body will you take her, Robert!" shouted Auntie Elizabeth. She smashed the phone against the wall. Realizing I had heard, she explained that that was the man, I meant the creepy man. And now.

-End of Flashback-

I shivered, recalling that moment of my life. I sighed and began to dress up in the standard uniform. I just hoped that he wouldn't be able to find me again. Auntie Elizabeth had disappeared from the radar, so I had moved here in hopes that nothing would happen to me. I didn't really want to go through that moment of time again.