I was used to this. People ignoring me, not even giving the slightest glance in my direction. Sometimes this just happens.
When I was younger, my mother couldn't remember I existed, often forgetting to wake me up for school or making dinner for me. My father was barely ever home because of his work, and just like my mother, failed to acknowledge me.
One day, when I was finishing my last year of middle school, I came home to find an ambulance outside of my house. Paramedics were pushing a stretcher out of the front door, talking urgently between themselves. Later I found out that my mother had been murdered by some drunk who saw an open door and wanted to make some money. I found my father the next morning surrounded by beer cans and tissues. He left the house some time when I was at school, but he never returned.
I felt nothing, I was alone. I had always been alone, nothing changed.
Another dog barked at me, their owners confused expression caused me to laugh as I patted the dog in the head and walked on.
People don't mean to ignore me, it isn't their fault actually. It's almost like I am surround by a shield that deflects every human being I encountered. The closest friend I had was a cat that visited me once a day to be fed. I called her Max, she looked like a Max. A big pompom of black and white fur with a stubborn disposition.
A car passed, causing a nearby puddle of rain water to cascade onto my once clean and dry clothing. I looked around quickly and found myself right outside the apartment block I had lived in since my family left me all alone.
For three years I had lived by myself, barely being able to pay all the bills. I sold the house, seeing as my dad never returned, and that sustained me for a year. I managed to land a job stacking shelves, but the pay was terrible, and I soon found myself without enough money. Getting another job wasn't possible because between school and work, I already had little free time.
So I took to stealing.
Being invisible to the world had it's perks when you were a thief. I could walk into a supermarket, pack a basket filled with food and walk out without anyone taking a second glance, let alone a first. When I figured this out, I immediately tried it out in all sorts of places. First a restaurant. It took some time to catch the attention of a waiter to order but, when I had finished eating, I walked out without having to pay a stitch.
No more disgusting ready meals for me.
Then I tried the same thing at one of those really fancy member only gyms, not that I like exercise but I did need it. The same thing happened.
My life was so easy now. I didn't have to work for the money to pay for the things I needed... and didn't need. I should've happy, but something was missing.
I was lonely.