Blanket Buddies

Once again alone. I sit on that subway and stare at the window. My heart heavy in my chest. What would they be doing today? Okay let me just backtrack a second. My name is Inferno, I used to be Rachel but i changed it and now my parents have thrown me out over it. I think they just need to calm down. Anyway, I recently met up with my old friend Jason. He was no help either and only validated my parents but I'm getting ahead of myself.

I felt the train stop beneath me as the guy came on and ushered me out. I got an walked onto the station platform. It was 2 am. I sulked my way up the stairs and out of the station. The cold breeze hit me like a chill through my pyjamas and the dogs bayed from their homes. It was never silent here. Nonetheless i trudged on. My eyes frequently wandering to my small backpack of things. How was i going to get through this? I already felt chilled to the bone. I kept moving until i bumped into someone. Standing towering over me was a man. He looked tall and clearly fed up as he stared down at me from his perch up high. As his eyes met mine his stoic expression widened into a grin wide enough to look like that of the Chesiree cat. I felt my knees go weak under me as I slowly fell to the floor but the guy caught me. He started talking to me trying to keep me awake but all i could catch was, "Are you all lass'? My name is Pike."

When i woke up i was in a dark bedroom. A place i did not recognise. I heard voices and feet outside as the door open blinding me temporarily as a lady came in. She was in a butlers uniform and carried in a glass of water which she set on the bedside table by my head. She shut the door behind her and sat on the edge of my bed taking my hand in hers as she seemed to sense my panic. I looked her over once again and my eyes found a name tag that said Oliver on it. She smiled at me warmly before she spoke, "Hey, you okay Sunshine?"

I felt my cheeks heat up at the pet name. Nobody had given me one in years. She slowly let go of my hand as she asked, "What's your name?"

I stuttered as i responded, "My name is Inferno."

She smiled as she said, "Well it's nice to meet you. I'm Oliver."

I looked into her eyes, they were crystal blue. A colour i had always wanted as a child and even now found amazing. She seemed to notice my stares and her smile grew wider. The door opened and i looked up to see Pike however he was in pyjamas now. He looked at me and smiled, "Hey. Your parents have been looking for you, Rachel."

I shuddered at my dead name but Oliver interrupted, "But that's not her name. It's Inferno."

They both looked confused as they turned to me to explain so i did, "I legally changed my name but my parents wouldn't accept that so they threw me out."

Both nodded as Oliver turned to me, "You shouldn't go back there. Maybe we can take care of you. You're above 18 right?"

i nodded and Pike smiled, "So would you like to stay with us?"

His voice was slick and warm making me feel as though i could tell with them for as long as i needed. Oliver seemed to notice the contentment on my face and she grinned, "So you got a job?"

"Nope. i'm looking for one though to save up to get a degree in art and eventually publish a comic book."

The two of them smiled at each other before Pike turned back to me, "Well, we have a job you can take and you'll get 50% of the profit from your work too."

"What type of work?"

Pike smirked, "Thieving. Quick and easy money once it's gone through the higher ups like us."

I thought on it hard before i rose from the bed. I thanked them for their accommodation and left. I walked back down the streets that were now bustling with people rushing to the underground but instead i went to a noodle takeout and bought a box. I ate it as i walked down the streets unbothered by everyone's stares as i went. I walked by a shoe store making me look down at my trainers. They were old and barely held together by duct tape; i needed some new trainers but i didn't have enough money for it. I thought about what Oliver and Pike had said as i finished my noodles. Maybe i should steal some shoes. I was broke anyway and what would a few crimes do to me when the internet could teach me everything i needed to know and more?

I got up and threw away my noodle box before walking into the shop. I searched the shelves for the shoes i wanted and eventually my eyes landed on a pair of brand Nikes. I thought about it for a second before hauling the box in my size off and trying them on. Before anyone could stop me or find me i ran from the shop in the stolen shoes.