I stepped out onto the cobble stone street and headed north. I didn't care where I was going, I knew I would end up at the post office sometime today; and it wasn't like Rosie was keeping watch on me. She knows I like to get out and explore as much as I can. I took several deep breaths and spread out my arms and just ran screaming down the street. I didn't care if I wasn't acting lady like or that I looked like a complete fool. It felt amazing, releasing all the pent up, negative energy I had building inside me. When I finally reached the end of the street I quickly halted and took one giant step to the left and started walking west not knowing or caring where I would end up. As the day grew on I began to get restless for I realized I should have gone to the right, I swore under my breath and turned around and followed my foot steps back. And then it happened, I was being pulled into a forgotten memory, better left forgotten. Dejavu took over me and I was lost in a sea of memories that played out two years ago.
It was early morning and the streets of New York were packed full of busy business men like always. My favorite thing to do every morning was walk down to the harbor and watch all the ships going and coming. It gave me peace and set of my mind. So that's what I did this particular morning like I did every morning, but something didn't feel right. I went over everything in my head over and over again and I just couldn't put my finger on it. It felt like someone was watching me/ i looked around and no one was there, it was confirmed I am alone. I shrugged it off, maybe I hadn't forgotten anything.
So I continued on my way to the docks. I was in my own world, a beautiful world filled with everything but reality. I loved looking through all the windows in the tiny shops on the way, it was the only reminder of my childhood. The gowns, gloves, shoes, and dances. I didn't miss any of it, but I liked the reminder. I decided to take the longer route today, I've never taken it and decided to give it a chance. I took all the back alleys and streets, slipping through parted buildings, having the best time of my life. I finally reached my spot at the docks and sat down, took off my shoes and socks and rolled up my pant leggings. Yes pants, I traded all of my petticoats and fancy dressings for men's clothes. I didn't care how any one looked at me it was what I felt most comfortable in.
I dipped my feet into the harbor and lay back and close my eyes, letting the spray from the waves and the wind brush my face. Then something didn't feel right. I felt a heartbeat in the wood, footsteps. I opened my eyes and quickly sat up and turned around and saw a peculiar man walking towards me. I don't know if he saw me, but he didn't look very nice. I grabbed my shoes and socks and started walking quickly in the other direction heading towards the ships, I figure I'll hide in between the ships until the man walks past or leaves the area. I slip into a tight dock between two ships and hide in the shadows, I wait in anticipation for the man to walk past but minutes go by that feel like hours and he never does. I slowly creep out and look both ways down the docks and see no one. Sighs of relief flow out of my body and I start to put on my shoes and socks, I stand up and brush myself off and raise my head to walk forward and he's there, standing before me, staring at me like I'm a piece of fresh meat. Beads of sweat form on my forehead and neck and I start to back up. For every step I took he took there was one coming towards me. I sent out a silent prayer to god and started running, running as fast I could away from him and then I felt his arms around me, pulling me close to his body. I screamed till my throat started to bleed and no one came, I felt lightheaded and sick. I vomited on his shoes. He slapped me and then covered my nose and mouth with a rag that smelt funny and then everything went black.
When I finally woke up I didn't know where I was. But at least I was alive, thank you god. I got out of the bed I was in and creaked the door open and the most wonderful smell over came me and I was carried through the house to the kitchen where I was greeted by a short, plump lady grinning up at me.
Her name was Rosalita Vieira. Her native tongue was Portuguese, but she spoke English quite well too. She motioned for me to sit down at the table and so I did and waited for a plate of that wonderful smell she was cooking. I cleared my throat carefully not to put to much strain on it for it still burned and quietly asked, " I don't mean to be rude Mrs. Vieira but how did I end up with you? I mean the last thing I remember was some man chasing me." I looked up at her and studied her features. She had long dark black hair, her skin was smooth but rough looking. She kind of reminded me of Kartik in a way. My stomach hurt at the thought of his name. Damn him.
She walked over and handed me a plate and a glass of water that I immediately started to devour and sat down next to me. "I had heard you screaming. I was up the docks a few ways bringing my son lunch and all of the sudden we both heard this blood curdling scream and we started running in the direction we thought it came from. We saw this man dragging your body down the docks. My son immediately ran after him and chased him off. We decided to bring you here, you didn't look like you had a home or really anyone to take care of you, so we decided to take you in." she smiled at me and then got up and went back over to the stove.
I had stopped eating. My mind was filling with all sorts of horrible thoughts of what that man was going to do to me. I shivered down to my core and felt sick again but I ignored it and continued to eat. " How long have I been asleep?" I swallowed hard for I took too big of a bite.
"Oh about three days I think." she smiled at me again while I just sat in awe and finished my plate.
Finally I was brought back into reality. I had reached the post office by now and was waiting in line to pay for a stamp. I hope I had enough, I didn't know how much they cost. A few minutes later I was at the beginning of the line, I handed the post man my letter and he stamped it and put it in the big pile of man waiting to be sent out. I looked up at him, "Hoe much for the stamp sir?" He looked at me kind of weird and said, " That would be three cents malady." I smiled at him and counted the change out and set it on the counter and left for home, I had had enough adventures for one day.