From the first time I saw her I could not take my eyes away from her.
I have to admit I am not exactly in the habit of starring at the homeless people I see on the street; but she caught my eye.
The name Jennifer hung on my lips as my eyes tried to stay on her while the car turned away.
Jennifer… she looked just like Jennifer; and it wasn't only the hair and the paleness of her face; their features were eerily similar.
I clenched my hand and drew a sharp breath. No, it wasn't Jennifer… but was it her ghost? Was I still being haunted by her?
The next night I made my driver take the same route and I was looking out for her; the vision I had retained of her only merged tighter with the memory of Jennifer and I had to see her again.
I knew she couldn't be a dead girl walking the earth; and I was hoping I could trust my sanity a little more than that… The loss of Jennifer had shaken me, that much I knew but I had hoped I could start to move on.
I caught a glimpse of the young woman in the same alley; cheerfully sharing a joke with the group of people she was with. I felt a pang of warmth in my chest seeing her laugh. Towards the end it was impossible to draw a smile from Jennifer.
Was this some insane wish-fulfilment. Had I not wished to see her beautiful smile just one more time?
But the car turned away and I lost her in the darkness.
She became an obsession for me; every drive I took I made sure the driver passed by the same alley… until finally I couldn't stand it any longer.
I decided I had to meet this girl; I had to get her; or rather Jennifer out of my head; I had to lay her to rest.
So; that night when I saw her sitting alone in the alley I made my driver stop. I approached her and found out the poor girl was in the process of self-harming. She was so preoccupied with the blade that she didn't notice me before I put my hand on her shoulder.
She jumped startled; dropping the small dirty blade and panicked; searching for it.
Most of all I wanted to kick it away from her; she shouldn't have to do such horrible things to herself! But seeing her so clearly distraught about losing it I picked it up and handed it to her.
The minute I closed her own hand around it she visibly relaxed.
I traced my finger over her cheek and heard myself speak to her; internally realizing that I already had a plan for this young person.
"We should get you cleaned up" I told her "I bet you scrub up well".
Her big eyes looked up at me and instantly I knew I had to do something… I had to help her.
"Come" I turned slightly stern; not wanting her to miss this chance; or rather for me to miss this second chance at saving Jennifer…
With unsteady hands she found a bandage in her pocket and pulled it tight over her still bleeding cut; the pain didn't seem to bother her. I made a mental note that she was most likely a masochist; and everything about her demeanour and her reaction to me told me she was a submissive… something I could clearly work to my advantage in helping her.
She was verging on panicky on the car ride and I longed to know how to calm her down; but sooner than the driver had started the car we arrived at my home and went inside.
Kate courteously acknowledged her at the door and took her dirty black faux fur off of her shoulders; pretending as ever to be my maid; an irritating but necessary precaution. I could only wonder what she thought about me taking home a stray… but I had little time to explain the situation to Kate yet.
I could see the horror in the young woman's eyes as Kate walked off with the coat; and I instantly addressed it; perhaps a little snappy.
"Don't worry, she isn't stealing your precious belongings".
The car ride had made me realize one more thing about her. She needed a shower and a change of clothes; and it couldn't come too soon.
So, I lead her to the bathroom upstairs and told her to take her time; promising her something clean to wear… a promise I barely kept as I quickly took the chance to find Kate and quickly explain the situation as well as I could.
It didn't sit well with her; I could feel it… Kate didn't say it, but I could tell she wasn't with the idea. I do wonder if she too saw Jennifer in this young woman… but she took the young woman's dirty clothes from me and promised to wash them.
I went back to the bathroom and waited for the woman to finish her shower.
She emerged wearing only a towel; I had not had time to give her the clothes I promised…
I took her to my bedroom and told her to pick a dress while I found some of Kate's underwear. She looked to be the same size as her. It gave me another chance to address the importance of her to think of Kate as my maid and not my lover.
She picked one of my favourite dresses; a deep green evening gown.
"Excellent choice" I congratulated her taste.
"Thank you Miss…?" she finally realized she didn't know what to call me; and I realized the same about her.
I let her know to call me Miss A. Irene or Miss Adler somehow seemed too intimate for how I was planning to subdue her; in order to help her with her issues.
She agreed; like a good girl and I allowed her to get dressed before I stepped towards her and asked her for her name. Deep down; perversely I wanted to force her to go by the name Jennifer but I knew that could only lead to trouble.
"Mira" she stuttered.
