Chapter one
Part 2.2
After a quick shower and some dull breakfast I shot a look inside my mom's bedroom. Empty. I already knew that, I just had to make sure.. Oh hell; I didn't even know why I was checking anymore.
I grabbed my keys and made my way out the door, cautiously walking around the mess on the floor. To my defense I hadn't really been home the last few days,someone had to work for living, and it surely wasn't my mom. Luckily, school had ended for me last year since I had started a year earlier. Which gave me a lot more time to .. well, I don't know yet.. work?
Well, I was working... Just not what you would consider the typical job. I was a drug dealer, a pick pocket, a thief - anything that could make a scratch, even a drag racer once. It wasn't something I was particularly proud of but it was always better than being a hooker or a stripper, I guess. Plus, it gave me a reputation so people either stayed away from me or were scared of me. And that suited me pretty well, if you ask me.
The only downside was that it was a dangerous job - cops, drug addicts gone mad, old men who tried to rape you - you name it, I've seen it.
That's why I made a list of rules of how to survive in the city, the jungle of cement buildings with all the dangerous animals within. And truth was, it reallywas like a jungle out there, you had to watch your every single step and be precautious if you wanted to be someone and not get killed in the environment I breathed and lived in.
Example: Rule # 12: Always lock the door behind you, where ever you go, whatever you need. You never know who might get the idea of searching through your apartment while you're gone.
So I locked the door securely and left the apartment as it was, figuring I would be able to clean up the place before my mom got home; maybe that would make her stay a little longer.. I sighed as I took the stairs two at a time, quickly reaching the bottom and walking outside into the cold September air. Closing my jacket up a bit, I kept my head down; Rule # 3: Keep a low profile. You never know who might recognize you.
I swiftly made my way to the street I was most familiar with in the area, checking for cops along the way. Today was a relatively calm day so I figured I wouldn't have too much trouble to deal with.
The only run in I had was with a young boy, aged 15, who got a little aggressive when he realized he couldn't afford his cocaine. He reminded me of myself, sadly.
You might wonder how a 17 year old girl was still living and breathing with the job I had - hell, even I wondered - but I had my ways of gaining respect. Plus, I never went anywhere without a weapon which has helped me out numerous occasions.
I made my way home that day, looking over my shoulder constantly; Rule # 17: Always make sure no one is following you. You never know if a mad customer or maybe even a cop wants to know where you live.
Finally, in the safety of my home, I saw that my mom still hadn't come back. And as I went to bed that night I wondered if I would be alone forever.
Rule # 1: Never let anyone get too close.