Page 9 of Kings of Desire
I tumbled on the floor to pick up my money, I had to do it with all risks because if I didn’t, it would be game over from when I would walk past the door. With rushed moves, I gathered the bills that were spread next to the Italian leather shoes the man was wearing. He didn’t help me and I didn’t expect him to. I was just happy because if I was in the Pit someone would have tried to steal them by now, but still, I was in the wrong place, and no matter what affirmation the businessman had made, I was still in great danger.
The second I was done, my feet raced straight to the exit, not having a second look in their direction. I never again wanted to see them, not my despicable boss or the strikingly handsome stranger.
I ran so fast that I thought my shoes would tear by the time that I’d get home. I had to stop around three bus stops further because it was impossible for me to go on. My heart pumped loudly in my chest and every single cell of my body seemed to be catching on fire. I was a moment away from breaking down, but with my last strength, I crawled into the shower. This day had been an ordeal, and as soon I got to put some clothes back on, I realized how big of a nightmare it really was.
Counting the bills and with tear-dropping desperation, I realized that it wasn’t the whole sum I needed. Either Randy gave me less money or I lost a few bills when I dropped them on the floor back at the factory. It didn’t even matter since it was impossible for me to ever return there.
I could no longer hold in the distress weighing on me. Hot tears covered my face, soaking the bed sheet as for the first time ever, I felt defeated. It was rent day tomorrow, and I didn’t even have enough to cover for that. Not a single dime for the Academy tuition and my stomach was twisting with a loud sound, trying to make it through another night with no food.
I had to pull another blanket on top of me, not sure if it was even cold in the room or my body beginning to cave in, but it managed to give me the comfort of insulation. I wanted to disappear. It would be so easy if I would just disappear. Yet, I couldn’t do that, not to Sebastian and Natalie.
I think that I cried for hours, still hiding between the pillows, knowing it may be the last night with a roof above my head.
Sleep eventually found me, ravaged by tormenting emotions and utterly exhausted from fighting a battle every second I breathe.
I didn’t wake up until the morning… still with no idea what to do. Didn’t even feel like getting out of bed, just lazily melted there into the mattress, hoping that I could find a supreme power to start everything all over again.
But where could I go? What should I do?
I wanted to close my eyes and go back to sleep, maybe inspiration will find me, but as my lashes were preparing to unite, a small red spot on the floor caught my attention. My eyes blinked wide open and I let my feet fall on the ground, looking at the object that seemed to be an envelope.
Was it a bill? Utilities? Not likely since I didn’t really have any except for the water, but that came from a barrel that my landlord keeps outside.
I rushed to open it, curious and intrigued since I observed the paper as being high quality, and unfolded the white sheet until dark letters revealed themselves. Letters that little did I know would change my life.
Come to where two worlds meet and find the key to a new life - today 6 pm.
Chapter 3
Ifolded the letter in two and placed it back in the red envelope while every single one of my instincts was telling me to throw it on the floor where I initially found it. But it was hope when I was losing all drops of it, sinking in darkness with few chances to survive.
Maybe it was a trap, maybe it was a scheme, but that 1% chance that this was real was forcing me to follow it. I just needed to figure out what this was about.
Reaching the sink, I splashed cold water on my face,hoping to reconnect to reality. The room seemed to be spinning while my instincts of self-presentation needed to dissipate in front of the last shot of saving my family from that monster. I had to do this. I had to pursue this last possibility, no matter how risky it could be.
This is a world that shows no kindness and deep down I feared the price I needed to pay because even if the words on the paper were true because, in life, nothing comes for free.
I searched for the black skirt that I brought along with me when I left. The only skirt I ever owned since I was more of a pants girl, but judging from the expensive paper, I had a feeling that my torn jeans wouldn’t do me any favors this afternoon. I didn’t have a shirt, not a decent one anyhow, but tugged a white t-shirt into the skirt and made one of those careful messy looks. Maybe they will think that I’m am a punky. In any case, it was the best that I could do.
Combing my hair into a ponytail, I took a last look in the mirror. I was far from being ready, but it had to do. I was already late for the Academy and staring for a few extra minutes at my shabby reflection wouldn’t get me a new set of clothes anyway.
A knock at the door stopped me on my way out. I was two steps away from twisting the doorknob when a voice that I feared to hear brought me to my senses. ‘Rent,’ my landlord barked, reminding me of the sum that was due today.
What could I tell him when even I didn’t have any answer? I needed to stall him, at least for a few hours,until I’d figure out what the letter had to say. That meant that I couldn’t go through the front door so I decided on making a getaway. Opening the small window I usually keep tightly shut, I threw my bag on the metal fire escape ladder then followed, speeding down the stairs. With all the running I was doing these days, I could participate in a marathon.
At least I managed to make it out to the Academy on time, not that any part of the Seminars or the Lectures scheduled for the day stuck with me. I was nowhere near that territory, just drifting awayto where two worlds meet.
It was a riddle. A complicated one, yet all too easy at the same time. The two worlds - the Pit and the Hills divided by a thin line. A street half poverty and desperation, half luxury and opulence. An invisible border that divided our society so well.
Now, all I had to do was to figure out the exact place I was supposed to go to.
I barely survived throughout the courses, staring at the clock’s hands counting each second, and the instant last one of them drained, I was on my way tofind the key to a new life,whatever that meant.
I didn’t even take the bus to get there. It was just about a mile away and my feet couldn’t be held still to wait at the station anyway. Too much excitement, I guess, and I could only hope it would have a real foundation.
The street I was searching for, finally revealed itself in front of me, though no open doors or large signs with my name written all over them, not that I was expecting any in the first place.
