DON'T ABANDON ANYONE

"WHAT!? Let me get this straight. You want me to work overtime on top of abandoning my free day!?"

"There's no other way! We'll have one of the busiest days of the year tomorrow and we need every hand available!"

In case you've ever had a job at the local supermarket, coffee shop or drugstore, be grateful for those poor suckers. 10 hours a day, long work on Saturday and rarely a decent pay dependent on what their stupid bosses pay them-

"Miss Ellenford! Either you arrive on time the next morning or you'll be suspended for a week!"

"YOU CAN'T JUST-"

"As your supervisor, I can. I'm annoyed by this situation as well but we cannot allow any hits on that day's profit margin or else the higher-ups get on it."

*Sigh* "Fine…but you owe me. Big time." *Beep*

Well, that went about as great as…actually, there's nothing that comes to my mind when suddenly being forced to work with added overtime on your day of relaxation as a metaphor. Sure, that cold cappuccino resting stiffly like a statue next to me helped. So did the good old grey bomber jacket that never lost its smell of barbeque sauce since last year-

"Ok, who am I to lie to except myself? THIS DAY SUCKS!" My cold ass (which previously rested on a park bench for 20 minutes or so) finally got up, my dark green hiking boots hitting the soft stone pavement and making me stretch as today's work finally caught up with me.

To everyone who's potentially wondering things like "Who are you?" or "Why are you talking with yourself?" I can only say: I have no clue as well. Perhaps I've finally gone all crazy in my head like those stupid first-person narrative TV shows. But eh, might as well humor myself as a distraction.

Joan. "Joy". Ellenford. The name that none of you probably knew until now. 25 years old, still consider myself a young adult or more of an overgrown teenager, works a crappy job at the local big market chain to keep herself afloat. My life wouldn't be so hard if I decided to do something else and finish the training for it.

Uhhhh, no. Listen, I get that hard work and education pays off long term. But I'm not cut out for any of those stupid office jobs-

"Uh, miss? Are you still drinking that?"

'Huh? Oh…drifted off again, great.' Some guy in torn clothing and a dirt-coated beanie was standing next to me. 'Hmm, he seems nice and I'm not particularly thirsty anymore, so...' "Me? Nah. There should be about half a cup left. Not sure if you prefer your coffee fucking ice cold or not." At least I wasn't telling lies. That drink was from today's shift while I bought it on my goddamn lunch break.

"No worries. Though, I appreciate your honesty."

"Whatever you say, bud." And just like that, he was on his merry way. Really, poor guy. Uhm…where was I again? 'Right, introduction.'

Black hair in a pixie cut with the most visible color bangs in existence (aka. Neon green), average height of every American woman, brown eyes and glistering skin in the sun. Mind you, that's not from beauty products. I rather prefer the much simpler solution: Sweat.

…

Hey! Why are you mentally looking at me like that!? Sure, I can afford shampoo and other stuff but saving as much money every month is a goal I'm not willing to abandon. Take that as you will.

The white t-shirt, half-torn jeans, and previously mentioned boots didn't appeal to everyone's fashion sense but at least they were comfy to wear when getting out of those itchy working uniforms. THOSE needed to be burned in fire, I tell you.

'Whatever…it's getting late anyways so might as well buy some food before returning to my apartment.' At least I'd have Mr. Charles waiting for me at home. And before you ask about who he is, let me tell you right here. He's a small, black cat with brown eyes like me and a knack for throwing everything around its vicinity onto the ground. Including stuff just to piss me off.

He may be evil, but at least he lets himself be hugged-

"HELP! PLEASE, SOMEONE, HELP ME!"

…

'Okay…uhm…' To hear a child crying in the distance of your location and having it followed by small whimpers would usually cause you to run straight towards it. But that's why I'm debating on not going there as well. I'd only waste precious time of my day, they'd be safe either way-

"I CAN'T GET DOWN FROM HERE!"

"Stop making this so hard on my mind, kid!" Alright, normally by now someone would've helped them. But seeing how EVERYONE is apparently failing this task, I'll just go after the voice and make sure they're safe soon.

The sun was already setting as I walked (or partially ran) to my destination. My hometown's park was littered with trees and bushes everywhere, resembling more of a wildlife park than anything. A few weak rays of sunlight managed to illuminate the space around me and whoever else was there at least.

'Though…where is everyone else?' Albeit the obvious call of distress that surely wasn't from an adult, nobody seemed to have acted upon it. This left two reasons for why. 'Either everyone already went home, not counting the hobo of course or everyone's sense of morale fucking died rec-'

"HELLO! ANYONE!?"

"Right, the kid. HEY, CAN YOU HEAR ME!?" Not sure if cupping my hands on each side of my ears would amplify the noise or not but right now I just needed to find this darn…girl, boy, whatever! Good thing I have some of my anger still left pent up because someone's parent deserves a verbal reminder from me!

"YES! UP HERE!" Oh hey, just above my head! I had to stretch my neck to look up but soon the strain kicked in. 'Well, don't they look young…' Up on a really high branch, a kid was there with a full-body grip on the shaky appendage of that tree. Only some purple stocking, black shoes, a red bangle on her left arm, red (almost purple) hair and for some reason, a headband with pink devil horns peeked out above me.

"Alright, just stay calm! Alright? I'll get you…off of there…somehow…" I'm already regretting my words. The spot she gripped the branch at was at least 15 feet high in the air, meaning there was some serious potential risk involved!

"O-Ok- AHHHHH!" The now revealed girl managed to peek below at me from that height, only to shriek with a fear-ridden face as she buried her head into the limb of the tree again. 'There's also a teddy bear on her back. Looked pretty torn but, hmm…'

Okay. For now, I have to calm her or else there'll be no way that she gets off of there.

"Kid? Say, what's your name?"

There was somewhat of an uncomfortable silence after my question. But after a few seconds, she at least answered to me. "A-Annie."

"That's a really pretty name, Annie!"

"R-Really?" YES! Her voice is beginning to waver less, so at least she'll listen to me for now.

"Yeah! Say, do you have something precious there with you?" Now to relax her more and-

…

Until now it hasn't crossed my mind that I could've just called the goddamn ambulance! But…do I really still want to? I was doing something helpful for once and felt proud of myself. As if I'd let that get taken away!

"Y-Yes! I have my Tibbers!" Tibbers? Ah, she probably means the stuffed bear! Wonder how long he was in her possession yet, but if she cherishes him so much that the thing manages to calm her down then fine by me.

"Okay sweetie, if you can grab him from where he is, do it! He'll keep you safe until you're down again!"

"…P-Promise?" I could already see her shifting as she said that. I…don't think that looks very safe.

"YES! Just make sure you don't fa- OH CRAP!"

*CRACK*

"AHHHHHHHHHH!" And as the magical words left my mouth, of COURSE DESTINY SCREWS ME OVER!

"Dammit, DAMMIT! I'LL CATCH YOU!" The single branch had snapped partially, causing it to topple over but not entirely break off. Yet the momentum made Annie lose her grip on both legs and her single arm, flinging her down onto the ground at an alarming rate.

'Just a few steps to the left- WHAT THE-'

*THUD*

…

And the last thing I got to witness before getting knocked out was a gigantic bear appearing between me and the girl, knocking me out as I tried to actually catch him.

...

(To be continued...)