Ch. 1 Kira and the deal

Ilicked the creamydoughnut frosting from my finger. A cupcake would have been more appropriate, but doughnuts were harder to come by. And I was all for items that were difficult to acquire.

The wax on the candle melted causing it to droop. The flame flickered, threatening to extinguish. I closed my eyes debating on my wish.

My mothers voice swam in my head,People like us don’t wish. Kira, this is your life and all it will ever be.She never dreamed of a better life, not that it would have done her any good. The homeless had two choices; Stay invisible or die. She chose the latter. That was five years ago and her voice still played in my head.

When I opened my eyes to blow out my candle the flame had burnt some of the frosting. Wax had melted all over. Concentrating, I shut my eyes again.I wish life wasn’t like this.It wasn’t much of a wish for my twenty second birthday, but it was the same one I had always made.

As I blew out the candle I saw Vickie in my peripheral vision. Her thick hair was done in long braids down her back. As she barreled toward me a few braids fell to frame her tiny face. If pixies were real, she would be their leader. Everything about her was small, even her voice. I had tried to teach her to have a commanding voice when she meant business. It led to fits of laughter.

She stopped in front of my dumpster and wrinkled her button nose. With the temperatures rising above the nineties, the garbage was extra ripe. She sat down on the crate next to me and took the doughnut from my hand. After ripping it in half she handed me back part of it.

“Happy Birthday.” She took a bite letting out a low moan. “How do you always pilfer the best desserts?”

“It’s what I do.” I winked at her and shoved my whole piece into my mouth, melted wax and all.

Ever since I lost my mom, I had to find a way to survive. I took her advice about being invisible as literally as possible. It helped me hone my skills as being the go to person on the streets. If you needed something, I could get it, for a price.

“Oh,” her tiny voice squeaked. “I rushed over because someone is looking for you.”

I shrugged. The food was all stuck in my teeth and roof of my mouth preventing me from talking. People were always looking for me. My particular services were hard to come by. Vickie’s on the other hand weren’t, but I wasn’t one to judge.

I realized he was out of place the second he stopped in front of me. With my right hand I shielded the sun from my eyes to further inspect him. His long brown trench coat covered most of his very expensive designer gray suit. The shine on his shoes was enough to blind someone. Everything about him screamed,I’m rich.

Don’t get me wrong, we get people with money in Poor Town. They show up, pay for services that people like Vickie provided and go back to their perfect lives. My services were useless to someone like him. He obviously had everything he needed.

“Are you Kira the finder?” He squatted down and got eye level with me. Everything about the look in his eyes said he was studying me and I was not what he expected.

“Yea, The Finder. If you are looking for other services, Vickie can help. I don’t hook.” I nodded my head toward Vickie.

The man’s eyes never left my face. Men were always thinking they could intimidate women. Not me. I had never been and never would be afraid of anyone. Living on the streets hardened a person. Something this guy knew nothing about.

“Back up. You’re in my space,” I snapped.

Vickie’s hand jetted out to grab mine. The streets never toughened her. Having been in bed with so many men and women, I had thought she wouldn’t have been scared of them. She was. Then again, maybe that was why. She had told me stories of people’s kinks in bed. I wasn’t downing anyone’s kink, but some were so violent she would turn down a potential client.

“I need you to collect something for me.” The man stood and took a step back, giving me my space.

“What could she get you that you don’t have?” Vickie whispered, her voice even lower than normal.

“If I could speak with you in private, Miss Kira.” He looked around as if he was going to find an office.

I squeezed Vickie’s hand and released it. Nodding my head toward the end of the alley, letting her know it was okay for her to leave. She got up and walked a few feet away, out of earshot, but close enough if I needed her.

“So, what can I get you that you can’t buy yourself?” I stood and stared him in the eyes. I was letting him know I wasn’t afraid.

He handed me a business card. On the front was a bunch of squiggly lines and the name Carlos Garcia. I knew that name, but I couldn’t place it. I flipped it over, on the back was written10pm Garcia Corp. Come Alone.

I laughed.

He had started to walk away, as if the card was enough to entice me. When I started laughing, he turned and came back over. “What do you find so funny Miss Kira?”

“Gee, I don’t know. Maybe the fact that you, Carlos, think I’m gonna meet you late at night at some building across town.” I took the card and shoved it into his hand.

“Miss Kira, I would rather not discuss such matters here.” The disgust on his face could have been seen across miles.

“Well, if you want my services, this is where we talk. If not, find one of your rich peeps to do your dirty work,” I snapped.