Finding a place to live was my second task when I moved to Seattle. I didn't have any money with me, but that's not uncommon in America. After exploring the darker and less hospitable parts of the city I found an old burned out apartment complex. Actually, the complex was gone already, but there was still a basement in tact.
It took a few days of cleaning after work but finally the place looked almost decent. It was spacious for one thing and most people wouldn't even notice the entrance as they passed. I bought. I stole. Soon the place was more like home than any other place I'd lived in.
It was nice to be alone for once without teachers prying. I've heard about seizure victims, how they suddenly go into a seizure and close out the whole world as they shake. That's how I feel with my visions, consuming me whole occasionally. It's better to be alone. At least, so I thought.
I was working at the deli/bakery, Nona's Deli, as usual. I'd finished scrubbing the place and Ben, Nona's husband, had given me a few rolls to eat for lunch. Apron still on, I sat down at one of the stools and watched the entrance as customers flowed in and out.
I didn't recognize him at first. His hair had grown in the last few months. I even think he might have sprung up a few inches but I was never entirely sure on his height to begin with. The small boy pushed open the door easily and walked tentatively inside. He came over to look at the glowing selection of goods and sighed. It wasn't until then that I noticed how thin he was. How he was starting to look as slim as the bugle he carried at his side.
My mind clicked at that point but I tried not to show recognition as I smiled down. "Hey! Kid, you hungry?" Bugler looked over to where I sat and nodded. I patted the stool next to me and he cautiously sat down. "Don't worry. It's not poisoned. See?" I pulled of a small chunk from the roll I was offering him and swallowed it.
Bugler grinned and began to consume the food eagerly.
It took a few days of cleaning after work but finally the place looked almost decent. It was spacious for one thing and most people wouldn't even notice the entrance as they passed. I bought. I stole. Soon the place was more like home than any other place I'd lived in.
It was nice to be alone for once without teachers prying. I've heard about seizure victims, how they suddenly go into a seizure and close out the whole world as they shake. That's how I feel with my visions, consuming me whole occasionally. It's better to be alone. At least, so I thought.
I was working at the deli/bakery, Nona's Deli, as usual. I'd finished scrubbing the place and Ben, Nona's husband, had given me a few rolls to eat for lunch. Apron still on, I sat down at one of the stools and watched the entrance as customers flowed in and out.
I didn't recognize him at first. His hair had grown in the last few months. I even think he might have sprung up a few inches but I was never entirely sure on his height to begin with. The small boy pushed open the door easily and walked tentatively inside. He came over to look at the glowing selection of goods and sighed. It wasn't until then that I noticed how thin he was. How he was starting to look as slim as the bugle he carried at his side.
My mind clicked at that point but I tried not to show recognition as I smiled down. "Hey! Kid, you hungry?" Bugler looked over to where I sat and nodded. I patted the stool next to me and he cautiously sat down. "Don't worry. It's not poisoned. See?" I pulled of a small chunk from the roll I was offering him and swallowed it.
Bugler grinned and began to consume the food eagerly.