Tada! Here is chapter two! I hope you guys like it!

Now that I've said this...

I would actually like to take a vote on this story.

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-Olo Eopia03

Chapter 2: To Meet a Monster... Not Fun

I couldn't see anything through the chilling darkness that was ubiquitous to my surroundings. The silence that hung in the air was unbearable; it became a dead silence that only twisted one's soul into fear and dread. A soul, perhaps especially, my soul

"They found her . . ." a voice rasped quietly, trailing off into the distance. Where was that voice coming from? I cannot discern anything in front of me, yet- "Hurry. Master, Master . . . We must go-"

"Silence!" hissed out another voice. It was a deep and icy voice, a knife scraping painfully against metal. "Just wait, you fool, the time will come . . . when she will come to us!" the dark voice cackled, piercing agonizingly through the concealment of the shadows. His voice . . . I hate it; and the ominous tone just brings chills down my spine.

"Y-yes M-m-master." the weaker voice whimpered.

I can see light now. No, They're two bright glowing eyes, glaring evilly, straight at . . . me. What is this? This has to be a dream. It has t-

"You, naughty child," the deep voice whispered, sniggering softly. "I will find you soon. Come . . . come to me!" His voice cackled evilly, the sound becoming an excruciating sound that screeched in my ears. No . . .

"No!" Kalley screamed and lurched out of the couch, causing her to tumble off her makeshift bed. She lay there on the hard floor, staring at the dusty ceiling as she ran through the events that played during that horrifying nightmare. Cold sweat matted her forehead as her heart pulsed rapidly. Kalley then slowly shut her eyes. Just a dream . . .

Wearily, Kalley stood up and surveyed the surroundings in the living room she lived in. Well, waking up and seeing this every morning, let me tell you, is not really enjoyable compared to looking at most houses. I've lived here for 14 years, and I still haven't run away? She thought miserably.

The couch sagged on the creaky wooden floor, with one of its legs fallen off, probably still lying near one of the many mice holes in the lousy apartment. In front of Kalley, she could see the small television busted on the floor after falling off the fractured coffee table. Next to it on the floor was a small gray bag that she picked up a few years ago after an old woman had dropped it. Other than a few coins in it and some pills (that Kalley had immediately disposed of), it looked like Kalley needed it more than she did. Faded paint continued to peel off the walls, its corners infested with spiders, cobwebs, and nasty termites. Yes, what a wonderful world.

If I lived here by myself, Kalley thought, I could make a better living and leave this place just to come back here and laugh at it. Ah, what a safe place this would be . . .

A breaking of glass against the wall, followed by a yell sounded in the bedroom upstairs.

Still a safe place?

Nope!

Pierce Miller. Kalley's wretched uncle who loves to spend anything just for the love of smoking and the occasional drink. I really hate this guy, Kalley thought bitterly.

Another smash, and a burly man came lumbering out the room. He slumped down against the wall. Looks like he got extra drunk today, Kalley thought.

His sloppy appearance, shaggy facial hair, bloodshot eyes, and yellow rotting teeth were enough to make Kalley sick. Sometimes, she would think that he acted more like a pig rather than a man. This was who she had to work for, to work for enough money for herself only to have her stash (which wasn't much) snatched away from her. And what did this guy spend all that money on? Just the foul conditions of the apartment was enough to provide Kalley with an answer. Kalley looked back at the man and gave a look of disgust. The thing was, she wouldn't run away. Not yet anyways . . .

Before Miller could show any signs of stirring, Kalley quickly grabbed her gray pouch and fled out the door of the apartment. Judging by the warm sunlight, cool breezes, and the position of the sun, Kalley concluded that it was sometime near mid afternoon. She took a deep breath of fresh air and began to walk towards the bakery. That's where she usually went to earn her money, and occasionally, some bread. And when I come back, Mr. Pig Head is just going to take everything away, Kalley thought miserably. But why do I still stay here then?

My mother is dead. Or, she just abandoned me after that day . . . but . . . Piggy there will be the only way I find out what happened to her, Kalley sighed as she sadly pushed that thought away from her mind.

It just so mysteriously happened that just as Kalley had turned around six, her mother never came back home. Kalley was then found by the police and put into her uncle's care. Alone. At least I've seen her before, but she never told me about my dad . . . Kalley had no dad ever since birth. It was because of this that she always felt so angry for being left behind in that stupid apartment. I will find you, Kalley promised to herself as she looked at the sky. If you won't come back, then I will find both of you.

Opening the door with a sign above that indicated Dory's Bakery, Kalley stepped in and could smell the aroma of fresh baked bread in the air. Looking around, she saw that everything was still the same. The cream colored walls and the natural sunlight that shone through the glass windows still had its bright appearance. She remembered on cold winters (even though it didn't snow here in the city of San Diego) pressing her nose against the warm glass and looking at the shelves full of fresh bread, just waiting to be bought. A few months after that, Kalley finally asked Miss Dorothy, the kind hearted store owner, if she could help around and earn some money. Gladly, the woman accepted and here Kalley made her way of survival without the support of Pierce. She gave a sigh of relief as all those bad feelings that were usually in her mind melt away when a new warmth spread through her.

"Ready to make some bread, Kal?" a woman's voice cried out from the small kitchen at the far end of the room. Kalley smiled when she saw the woman came out, revealing her flour-smudged face, light brown curly hair, rosy cheeks, and tender smile, the paragon of a sweet and generous woman. Today, Miss Dorothy wore a white apron over her red shirt and faded jeans, along with the occasional winter boots that she always wore.

"What are you talking about, Dory?" Kalley grinned, "Aren't I always ready?" After putting on an extra apron, they both set to work: mixing, kneading, padding, rolling, and baking. After the last loaf of bread was placed into storage, the two of them cleaned up, prepared to head home. Kalley was given eight hot buns that were placed carefully in her bag. Setting a twenty in her hand, Dory asked,

"Kalley, if you don't mind, I need you to do a favor. Is it okay with you if you could go to the grocery store and buy some eggs and flour? The day is almost done." Kalley looked up in gratitude and eagerly agreed to perform the errand.

The store that she jogged into was still crowded with people, no matter how late it was. Luckily, no one took notice of Kalley as she made her way down the aisle of goods and looked around expectantly for any free food. Ah, no free samples today, I guess, Walking past the fruit section that was on the right, she arrived near the very back of the grocery store, where all the refrigerated items were kept. Hmmm, yogurt, juice, butter, whip cream . . . oh there, Kalley spotted and took the carton of eggs from the highest shelf.

After this, she could spend her dinner outside in the park while eating her large stock of delicious bread. Imagining her life without a job at the bakery, or bread, would truthfully be a total disaster. This, Kalley thought about as she went to the section that stored the different types of flour.

Suddenly, Kalley felt herself being shoved roughly from behind, sending her stumbling and crashing into a nearby shelf. The eggs dropped out of her hand and made a huge mess on the floor. Little children were curiously pointing at her and complaining to their parents as they looked sternly back at Kalley. Flustered and a little stunned, she quickly jumped to her feet, but was immediately met with the one who had pushed her. Oh dear, was she in trouble. If her mouth hadn't dropped open, she would've quickly said sorry and would be on her way right now. If she hadn't even gone to the grocery store, she might've not even gotten into such a disastrous situation. If she hadn't . . .

Oh well.

The man in front of her was . . . how should we put it? Huge, enormous, giant, colossal, six feet tall, monstrous. But none of those words came to Kalley's mind. Only one name could fit that thing she was seeing in front of her right now.

Cyclops.

Cloaked in a pure black trench coat, with men's motorcycle boots with a size of twenty-seven (or was it twenty-eight?) that clunked heavily on the floor, the monster towered menacingly over Kalley. His grimy face showed its heinous features while the single protuberant eye glinted evilly under his bushy uni-brow and black top hat that rested on his head. Um, okay... Kalley thought, slightly panicking, what to do . . . I think it's best if I just politely leave . . . like now.

Instantly, Kalley made a run for it, knocking off goods like bags of chips, jars of peanut butter and salsa, fruits, loafs of bread, boxes of cereal, and anything that could impede that one-eyed man from pursuing her. People were shouting across the halls in English and in Spanish, both cursing out at the girl that dashed down the aisles.

Successfully, Kalley made it out of the grocery store and blocked the automatic sliding doors by slamming several carts into it. As she slowly turned her run into a jog, she quickly thought of getting home as fast as possible, when she accidentally bumped into someone . . . again.

One Cyclops was enough to give Kalley a heart attack. Luckily (yet unfortunately), she had run into a policeman. His face glanced at the doors of the grocery store and looked back at Kalley, who looked back at him with dismay. "My, young lady. What on Earth did you do? Name's Officer Morrison to you," the officer said.

"Um, sir, I didn't mean to do any of this, but I'm kind of in a hurry right now," Kalley muttered impatiently. Was that a big bulky shape that's slowly plundering toward the door? Coming so close . . .

Kalley backed away a couple of steps. Immediately, she was seized by the arm with the firm hands of Officer Morrison. "Come here with me, Missy. I believe you are going to be in a lot of trouble." He answered back, a frown forming on his face.

No, let go of me . . . now, Kalley thought as she forcefully broke away from the hands of the officer. Her eyes glowered ferociously at the man. Just as he tried to grab her again, something strange happened.

It was like everything slowed down. Kalley looked around and saw people walking in the slowest pace she could possibly imagine. They were almost frozen on the spot. The Cyclops was still at the entrance, his silhouette slowly getting bigger and nearer. Officer Morrison was leaning toward her, one foot in mid-air, with an arm extended toward her. Shocked, Kalley herself staggered backwards, looking into the confused eyes of the officer. Then, as quick as it had come, everything turned to normal once again. Kalley saw Officer Morrison collapse, coughing on the ground, obviously paralyzed over what had just happened. Aghast, Kalley continued to run away from the officer, and the grocery store getting farther and farther away from her. What's happening to me? Did I do that? the thoughts quickly raced through Kalley's panicked mind.

Slowing down to a walk, Kalley slipped quietly into a dark and dingy alley. she rested her back against the wall, breathing heavily. No one here except a couple of trashcans, she thought in relief. Kalley closed her eyes and rubbed the sides of her head, repeating the words only hallucinating, don't worry, multiple times in her head. Sweat covered her forehead, but Kalley held her brown jacket close to her as a chilly breeze swept past her. Taking a deep breath, she silently walked out of the alley, but was met suddenly with one . . . glowing . . . eye.

Before she could cry out, her chest was met with the swift but hard kick of the boot of the horrid Cyclops. Kalley flew into the air, and crashed into the collection of trashcans behind her. Slowly, the giant came toward her as she coughed and gasped painfully for air.

"It's okay, little one. Come closer," the monster said with a snicker. His voice sounded awfully like Officer Morrison's... Even while slightly dazed, she managed to dodged to the right as the Cyclops tried to reach down and snatch her. Staggering to her feet, Kalley looked around in fright, trying to think of something to hit him with.

Um, okay. In a life or death situation here. Weak point? Kalley glanced back at the Cyclops as he strode towards her. His eye twinkled wretchedly, matching the evil grin on his face quite nicely. His eye.

In vain, Kalley tried to dodge again one last time, hoping to arm herself with a trashcan lid that laid behind the Cyclops. Too slow. The giant took hold of her foot and hoisted her up, leaving her almost hanging upside down in mid-air. Kalley clawed at the ground, clutching at a handful of dust. She gasped as she saw that she was at head level with him, looking at dreadful and bloodshot red eye. Then a determined glint came back into Kalley's own eyes, replacing the fear that rested in them. With one swift movement, she quickly threw her hand into his face, releasing a spray of dust that stung his eye. Stumbling backward, he dropped Kalley. She hit the floor with a soft thud. The Cyclops then went into a great deal of swearing and execration as he rubbed viciously at his dirty face with his huge meaty hands. In an instant, Kalley jumped up at sprinted as fast as she could out of the alley.

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-Olo Eopia03