Chapter 01:Sugar
Looking both over to the left and right before crossing the busy street of 2nd street. It is quite early in the morning, bit chilly too. The sun has not fully risen yet, creating this soft yellow and orange hues in the sky. Despite being chilly, the warm rays of the sun soothes my freezing face.
Birds chirping from trees, flying back in and out. Barking dogs of Mr. Salas, the cranky old man who lives near my workplace, always barking at the mere sight of something moving. Honking of cars in the distance, as well as the sound of ambulance alarms- all sign for my cue to leave work.
"Right. I'm heading home now. See ya around Taffy" Hugging my sweater close to my body, I bid my coworker Taffy who was just about to light his cigarette.
He looked at me and groaned, "Really? I just got here and now you're leaving? Lucky." He came closer and hugged me, "Alright be safe."
As we parted, I inhaled the cold morning breeze before walking towards my apartment. It's mornings like this that makes my heart flutter. Something about the contradiction between the cold breeze and warm rays of sun.
The busy hour of mornings, parents ushering their children to walk faster going to school, seeing students in their uniforms and ID's, noticing busy workers hastily walking or waiting for a ride to work while a piece of bread in hand. The smell of breakfast and coffee in the air.
Drivers fresh from home, night shift workers holding a cup of coffee eyelids drooping, some joggers, and an old man walking his big German shepherd. Ah- life.
I stopped right in front of my apartment building , admiring the rays of sun shining through the leaves of trees. The squirrels running.
Remembering the state I was in not 3 months ago, sleeping in the streets, or pretending to buy something at a store just to get warm for a bit, using public restrooms, and now after 2 months of being homeless I am now in Rochester, a very cold state might I add. Was able to rent out an apartment after applying for a job at McDonald's as a crew member.
Initially staying at a nearby cheap hotel for the first month since it was cheaper than the apartment. After that, I was fortunate enough to be able to afford an apartment. Luckily I have a roommate, or the expenses will kill me.
This wasn't part of what I'd like to think as 'fresh highschool graduate who'd very much like to be a psychiatrist'. Nope. Right after graduation, packed up my stuff and left. Not looking back to that ugly ass place they call 'foster home'. Nothing is wrong with being in a foster home, what's wrong is the mindset and 'parenting style' of my foster parents.
"Where is it?" I muttered under my breath, as I search for the spare key that was placed in one of Alaina's fake plants outside. "Found it"
Alaina is alright. We are friends but not the type of friends where we spill our life story and sob about it. Though we know a few tid bits about each other. She doesn't pry, so why would I?
"HONEYYYY AM HOME. I GOT SOME BREAKFAST." I yelled hoping to wake her if she isn't yet. Placed my shoes on the shoe rack and went straight at the table. Leaving my bag on one of the chairs.
We work at the same place, although she works morning shift, 9-5 and comes home around 6 or 7, depends if she'd like to do an overtime or when they're under staffed. I on the other hand work night shift, 8-4.
"Do you have to yell?" She responded, irritation clear in her face, a towel placed on her shoulder.
"Well, I thought you weren't awake yet, considering it's only..." I paused to look at the time on my phone, "only 6:48, which means you need to start getting ready"
"Why? My shift doesn't start in 3 hours? There's no way I'm gonna clock in before my shifts starts." She said while placing plates on the table, then she also brought out the food out of the bag.
"Technically, 3 hours and 12 minutes. Besides you take way too long in the shower plus don't you wanna be early to earn a thousand dollars at the end of the day?"
"I do not, and no. The only way I'd get a thousand dollars is through a sugar daddy" We both started eating, one of her legs are up on the chair. So lady like.
"Uh-huh, sugar daddy my ass. You don't wanna give him sugar, you just like his money" she rolled her eyes playfully.
"Please, I'm too sweet for him anyway. He's got diabetes" We laughed at this. We aren't pertaining to anyone in particular, just a morning tease "Now, do you want your bacons, coz I would love to have them"
"Hell no. Leave my bacon alone." I said while swatting her hands away from my plate. "Oh and dinner's on you Alaina"
"Yes you're malevolence" she got up and mimicked a low bow, she then placed her plate on the sink before heading to the bathroom for a bath. I rolled my eyes.
After she left, I went ahead to clean the apartment and did some laundry, took a shower and went to bed.
***
Here I am again, in this pitch black room. A lamp hanging just above me, being the only source of light. It has one job, just one job, but it still flickers on and off every few seconds. Wonderful.
My hands and feet are bound to this metal chair I currently am sitting on.
"Ah Evangeline, welcome back. You know I was wondering when you'll be back." A deep female voice spoke. It has an accent but it's hard to pinpoint from where.
"I'm not Evangeline. What do you want?" It's always the same nightmare, only the conversation changes once in a while. I already know how this ends, however it still sends my hair to stand and goosebumps to form.
"Of course you are. I don't want anything. I need something. You see, for me to have this... something, you need to wake up"
The fuck?!
A silhouette was pacing back and forth in front of me, the darkness that envelopes it's body made it difficult to see who or what is lurking around.
Something then touched my shoulder, I dare not look but my body has it's own will, slowly my head turned to the side.
Claws replaced dull nails. Whether a female hand or male hand I don't know, was touching my right shoulder firmly. Blood flowing down on it's arm stopping at the wrist. Slowly and painfully digging it's claws, making me wince.
"STOP!!! IT HURTS"
"Evangeline" The voice chuckled and it was right behind me
"You need to be stronger than this if you want to meet me."
Blood seeping through my clothes, shooting pain in my shoulder, the entire length of the claw was now in me. A roar startled me, making me jerk, causing the claw to rip my wounds wider, more blood oozing out now. Red eyes was staring right me.
The lamp's light shone on it's black snout, something is dripping down from it, and it's definitely not saliva. No matter what I do, I can't free myself. Another hand held in place on my left shoulder, doing the same thing it did on my right. The beast in front then lunged at me, slashing my chest out.
The pain is unbearable, blood splattering everywhere. It kept on slashing until only bones of my ribs can be seen. It didn't waste any second to bite it and yank my heart out
"Evangeline..."
***
I woke up from the sound of my own scream. Cold sweat all over my body, creating that icky feeling. My heart beats erratically in my chest. I had to check if it's still actually there. Yep. It is.
5:56pm was the time, based on the wall clock across me.
Despite my heavy breathing, got up and went to the bathroom for a shower. This nightmare isn't really a new one.
Overtime, you tend to get use to it. It still creeps me but not as much as it used to.
Just got done getting ready when I heard the door open, "Girl ! You wouldn't believe what Carla just did" Alaina said from the kitchen
"What? What did she do?" Grabbing my work bag, I made my way to the shoe rack, sat down on the floor, and put on some socks to be followed by the shoes
"She was asking why I didn't show up last week and apparently my nosey ass sister kept messaging her if I was still alive and all that nonsense. Seriously though? Have y'all heard privacy?"
"Maybe they're just worried about you. You did go AWOL on them."
"It's just that... no one seems to acknowledge the fact that I also need to grieve from the death of my mom. Her messaging Carla just creates a whole new lot of drama and I don't need that right now ,ugh. Plus Carla's overreaction drives me nuts" she slumped herself on the couch while grumpily stuffing her mouth with chips.
"I don't know girl, just tell them, maybe, that you're ok. Just let them know you're still alive then you can ignore them again for... I don't know.. two days?"
She didn't respond, taking that as my cue to leave.
"Bye" I said, one last time before completely closing the door.
~~~~~
Haven't had a break since I came in and it's almost 3 in the morning. People just keep coming and coming plus we are understaffed, a grill staff quit and now, our night manager is taking his frustration out on us. Luckily, I had dinner and a few nuggets I picked on earlier.
"Good morning ma'am, what can I get for you today?" I said politely to this old lady in front of me. She's not that old, probably around her late 40's or early 50's. I faked a smile as I wait for her to tell me her order. She's tall, but shorter than me. Despite the simple clothes she is wearing, a plain nude hand bag, everything about her screams elegance and power. Scary combo in my opinion.
What's gotten her up this late.. er early?
"Can I please have a quarter pounder, drink would be coke and the fries would be a medium size same with the drink. Thanks dear" she said, not in a demanding or commanding tone like how most customers would. I smiled once again as I typed in her order. She even talks and stands like Julie Andrews.
"Would you like to dine in or have it To Go ma'am?"
"To Go dear"
"That'll be $3.99, ma'am ." she handed me her card and we settled her payment first before I started bagging her order, added a few napkins and some ketchup.
"Here you go ma'am. Have a great one"
"You too dear. Your earring suits you darling" before I were able to say my thanks she left.
Thanks. But odd.
A few hours later after that, my shift was over. I clocked out and teased some of my co-workers before heading out.
Alaina would be up in a couple hours, so I decided Starbucks wouldn't be so bad. After all that stops, I headed home. Our work isn't that far from home. If you decided to walk, it only takes about 10 minutes, but with a ride, less than 5. Which is another perk of the apartment, compared to the hotel I used to stay in.
~~
The week went by, uneventful too. Just work and home work home work home. I get a day off tomorrow which will be spent in bed, sleeping. Or maybe buy a few necessities first, or window shopping at the mall, but maybe no. Just thinking about it makes me exhausted already.
The Julie Andrews clone old lady came back today. Ordering the same thing, although she chose to dine in this time.
After I served her food, it was my break time and since no customer just came in I called Juan, my co-worker.
"Taffy, I'll take 10, can you please take over?" I asked with extra pleading eyes for effect, he was reluctant at first but eventually gave in.
"Ugh fine." He replied with his eyes rolling over to the moon. "And stop calling me 'Taffy', it sounds awful"
"Well, would you rather have me call you 'Juany' which almost sounds like 'honey'. Your choice babyghorl"
Finally, I stepped out and breathe in the cool air September, stretching a bit. A coke in hand and a quarter pounder. My feet are killing me, they've been standing all morning, not to mention walking everywhere in there. Taking orders, helping with the grill, helping other crew. Seriously tho, at first I thought if you worked at McDonald's, all you do is wrap burgers and wipe tables, I mean yes you do that too but there's so much more. Plus, you gotta deal with bitchy, arrogant, lazy General Manger / Manager's. But hey, it pays my bills. So lost in thought, Julie Andrews clone old lady sat beside me, startling me.
"Ay putangina! Mother of Christ! You almost gave me a heart attack"
She scoffed "I can assure you I am no Mother Mary. What's gotten you flying over to Jupiter?"
"Sorry, just tired. Shift doesn't end for the next 2 hours. Seriously tho, I just wanna go home and sleep" she only chuckled as a response. Then silence, a comfortable one. Despite not knowing this clone personally, there's comfort in her presence. It's feels as if can trust her with all your deepest secret and not worry about it being broadcasted.
"I know you're on the run" she blurted out "Tell you the truth, I want to help, really. I don't know what your running from but based on observations it is not good. But seeing as there's no cops following you around, I take that as a good sign. I've been watching you from afar. I saw you in a couple of states earlier. You never settled. Who knows when you'll drop the façade and leave? My guess is that the only reason you're working here at this place is for money, ran out of cash?" My brain cells are decreasing at the moment. How could she know I'm running from something-someone? Does she know Jack and Tori? Is she stalking me? There are lots of questions that might lead to unwanted answers, so my option right now is leave this woman.
"Look, I don't want to be rude but I don't need anyone's help. I can manage myself and I believe my business is none of your concern. If you'll excuse me, I got burgers to serve" was all I said in return. Got up and threw my garbage in the bin and was about to grab the door handle when suddenly she pulled my arms and handed me what seems to be a black business card.
"Think about it Renée, dear. You're not alone. And there are people who wants and can help, let them." She said and left.
Why she so damn early anyway?
Felomina Mendral, CEO of M Corps.
+507 20* ****
What the...
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A/N: Henlooo beautiful people. It's my first time posting her on Inkitt. This story is also available on Wattpad with 6 more chapters posted.
Have a nice day/night ahead 😘
Til next time, folks.
