Chapter One; What Are The Odds?

"You're fired!" Marty exclaimed after I tripped over my own two feet for the sixth time today.

I looked at the mess of shattered plates and ruined food and then up at my boss.

"No, please, Marty! Just give me one more chance! I can't lose this job!" I whined, hastily bringing myself to a standing position.

He glared at me, showing absolutely no signs of forgiveness, "I don't have time for your clumsiness! Now get the hell out of here, Bubbles!"

I flushed in humiliation as I felt the eyes of all our current customers on me. This could not be happening.

"Did I fucking stutter?" Marty demanded when I didn't make a move to leave.

I felt pathetic tears fill my eyes as I dashed out of the establishment.

"And don't come back!" I heard him yell before the door shut behind me.

I walked in silence for a few minutes, crying soundlessly. That had been the fifth job that had kicked me to the curb and now I couldn't go home.

The professor had been very clear when he said, and I quote, 'If you aren't bringing home money, you're not welcome here.'

God forbid he not be able to buy the large quantity of booze he craved.

I could always get another job, but I would only get canned again, in less than a week, most likely.

So now I was... homeless. The word hit me like a bucket of ice water and it made the tears fall faster.

Without putting much thought into it, I walked to the mall. What? Don't judge me, the mall's my happy place.

Everyone always seems so happy there, surrounded by loving friends and family. It felt nice to be around normal people.

I entered the front door and caught the sweet smell of pastries coming from the nearby Cinnabon. Gotta love the food court.

I examined the passerby's jubilant and relaxed expressions with a sort of wistfulness.

To be able to live without having to fear for my life... that would be the day. Not that it would be coming soon.

After feeling like a total stalker, thanks to an overprotective mother and a loud three year old, I entered a random (almost empty) store. A Sally's, apparently.

"Welcome to Sally's. Are you looking for anything specific?" A middle aged woman droned as she filed her scarily long nails.

"Just browsing." I replied meekly, keeping my head down.

She muttered something under her breath about no good, broke teens. Well isn't she just pleasant as a peach?

I wandered down the aisle, debating on whether or not I should actually dye my hair. And that's when I saw it.

Or him, more like.

He was brandishing a pistol, speaking in a low angry voice to the trembling man in front of him.

I let out a surprised and fearful gasp as I took in the scene. Bad move.

The man with the weapon looked at me, a predatory glint in his eyes, and I was suddenly a deer in the headlights.

A small and creepy smile pulled the corners of his lips up.

"If you'll excuse me Peter, it seems like we'll have to reschedule." He said in a smooth voice, not taking his onyx eyes off me.

I ran the second he took a step towards me.

This couldn't be happening. Why did I have to walk in that dang store, of all people? Because you are the unluckiest person in the world.

I took random turns, already starting to feel my lungs burn from the workout. Dang it, Bubbles, why didn't you take that free gym membership?

I reached an exit and hurriedly threw open the door, sprinting through it without a second thought. The exit led right to a dark alley. Freakin' perfect.

I felt my body go numb with fear as the door opened. The man was standing before me, gun gone, but that didn't make him any less threatening.

"It was very unfortunate that you had to witness that, miss." He stated, taking small but sure steps toward me.

"Please don't kill me." I pleaded in a petrified whisper.

He chuckled, "I would never murder an innocent. However, you have seen my face, so I can't just let you go."

"W-what are you going to do with me?" I stuttered, backing up into the wall.

He smiled again, "I'm going to have to take you with me."

I don't think so. I turned to run again, when I felt an arm snake around my waist and a cloth press against my mouth and nose.

I blacked out less than a minute after breathing in the fowl smelling chemicals.