What a day, she thought opening the front door. The sun was setting, leaving the sky with bright shades of orange, yellow, and reds. She closed it from behind, walking onto the porch throwing on her dark jean jacket. Casey crossed her arms and leaned against the wooden railing, taking a deep breath of the crisp clean air. She admired the fall weather, the trees dangled colorful leaves, making the block look even nicer than before. Light breezes came upon her face, moving her long dark brunette hair gracefully in the wind. Casey saw the mailbox flag was up, she got up from her spot to go retrieve the mail.
The door opened with a slight crack. The man made his way out sprinting down the short set of stairs turning the corner to his garage in the back. Unlocking it, he pushed up the giant garage door causing it to make a squeaky loud rattling sound. Casey shot her head up at this and turned. It was him, she hadn't seen him in the longest time. At least a couple of weeks now, he disappeared, she wondered what had happened to him. Maybe it was family stuff, or maybe someone could have passed away, she thought. She hardly knew the man at all, but she still for some reason seemed interested in this odd, yet quiet man.
She pushed up the mailbox door shutting it closed. She only got two envelopes, and a hunting magazine. Making her way back to the porch she placed the mail on the small table next to the chair. Taking one of the tiny dead flower pots and placing it onto the letters making sure it wouldn't try to get blown away. Suddenly hearing loud screeching noises that came from behind, almost startling her. She turned and saw the man pulling the metal trash cans out near the side street. She watched him do his thing, trying not to make it obvious. She made her way back to her seat on the wooden railing. She was small enough for her body to sit without falling over and making herself look foolish. She lifted one knee up, and letting the other leg dangle freely on the other side.
The man was removing the tops on the two trash cans, keeping them as far away from his body as he held them outward. He walked back down the driveway lowering his head watching where he stepped.
"Hey." She said softly, but loud enough for him to hear.
His head shot up along with his eyes, making his body jolt in place. It took a moment for his brain to register when he saw her.
"Hey." He said quickly, feeling a bit stumped, and unprepared.
It got silence for a moment.
"I haven't seen you around." She said.
He didn't expect her to notice that he wasn't around these past few weeks. Now remembering he was almost going to kidnap her by mistake. That plan had been shot, destroyed, tampered with in the end. He couldn't bring himself to for fill his full purpose. He had to shut the horde out, he couldn't bare explaining his pitiful wrong doings. Asking himself everyday why he couldn't bring himself to do it. He felt irritated, and perplex be his actions. Dennis had to say something his mind was running a mile a minute.
"Well, I've been out of town." He said continuing his walk again to the garage.
Casey's eyes followed him until she couldn't seem him, she didn't feel turning her head a million times. The giant garage door slammed shut. She could hear the rumbling of his keys fiddling in his hands. Casey tucked her one knee closer to her chest wrapping her arms lazily around it. He walked back removing his white gloves.
"What's with you and gloves?" She asked curiously, remembering when he put the same type on when he was fixing her bathroom pipes.
"Dirty." He answered quickly without looking at her direction.
Casey felt curious about this man. He was always so quiet every time she'd seen him around. Well he wasn't around much actually. She didn't dare ask where he went over the past few weeks, that was none of her concern.
"How are the pipes holding up?" He asked.
"Pretty good. Thanks again." She answered fast, shocked that he actually asked her something.
She kept her eyes on him though, trying to cover half her face with her hair.
Dennis headed back up his porch to the door. Casey looked up slightly noticing he was going to head back inside. She felt the need to say something, anything.
"Do you, like it?" She asked hesitating for a moment.
Dennis stopped in his tracks with his fingertips grazing over the silver door knob.
"Like what?" He asked in a confused tone.
Dennis turned to face her fully with his brows knitted tightly together. He let go of the door knob placing his head in his front pockets.
"Here I mean. This town, this place." She said shrugging her shoulders slightly upward.
"It's alright. I suppose."
"Do you?" He asked, wondering why she asked such an unusual question.
"Honestly. No, not in the slightest." She said, with her head resting on her hand.
"Why?" He asked.
"Just.., too many unpleasant memories. Plus, it's boring. Seeing the same people everyday."
Dennis thought about it too, he did suppose it was quite small, and maybe as she so called it boring but he didn't do much anyways besides cleaning and working everyday. She sees the same people everyday, did that include him he thought he knew he wasn't around much during the day. But seeing her made him feel anxious, and quite nervous, which lead him to think. That's something Dennis tried to avoid.
"Well I'm sure one day you'll move out, and take control of your life." He said slightly looking down at his shoes.
Casey put the bottom of her jaw on the top of her knees.
"Ya, that'll be the day." She muttered to herself.
It was silent again, she struggled to come up with a decent conversation. But she never was good at doing that, she mostly spent her long days in absolute isolation, which probably wasn't the healthiest. But soon remembering the fun questions her father used to ask her on the spot when she was feeling down.
"Hey! Name your all time favorite food. Go!" She said throwing her body around to fully face him.
Dennis's head shot up with surprise. All time favorite food he thought, he wasn't much of a big heavy eater. This was throwing him off completely, no one ever asked him this before. He felt so unprepared for a simple question.
"Uh- well, I wouldn't mind a nice broiled chicken soup." He said instantly regretting it.
Caseys mouth dropped slightly at his bizarre answer. Out of all the food and all the delicious options in the world that's what he chose.
"Oh come on, that can't be your favorite food. Please tell me your joking." Casey said trying not to laugh at him.
Dennis didn't know what to say he felt stumped. What was his favorite food?
"Come on, what's something that you've always wanted to eat then?" She asked.
Remembering as a young kid he wanted to try certain things but growing up with a demented mother didn't help. Dennis never had time to think about himself. He had too many responsibilities with his horde to even think about himself for once. He had to stay strong to keep them near the light to survive.
"If I had to choose. I'd say just plain vanilla ice cream. With that white stuff they put on top making it look fluffy."
"You mean whipped cream?" She asked nearly letting out a snort.
"Yes, that." He said stepping a bit closer to his railing.
"Interesting take." She said smirking adjusting herself on the ledge.
"What about you?"
"Well lets see. Probably a big bowl of fries will do, with a side of waffles." She said simply.
Casey remembered the good days of when her father would let her get whatever her heart desired. No matter what it was he couldn't say no to his precious daughter.
"Ok, all time favorite music?" She asked knowing he had to like some type of genre. That was at least decent to listen to without blowing your brains out.
"Why are you asking me these questions?" He didn't understand why she needed to know these things.
"Why not, I just wanted to get to know you a little better." She said shrugging her shoulders up and straightening her back leaning a bit forward.
Dennis noticed this and turned his head. He didn't want to look at her anymore. His body started to feel a bit tense. The air was getting thicker by the minute.
"I should go, it's getting late. I have things to do." He said rubbing his head leading down to his neck. He headed to the front door slowly once again.
"Well, goodnight." Her eyes dropped to the ground in disappointment. Maybe it was something she had said, people usually found her to be weird, she tried not to be for the first time. It didn't seem to work though. Casey swung her legs back over to the porch's side.
Casey stayed outside for a few more hours or so, dreading to come back inside. Her uncle still wasn't home and it was almost ten. It was completely dark out now, there was no more of that lovely sunset to shine on her face. At least he wasn't home yet she thought, and that was good, but it also scared her too at the same time. Never knowing what to expect from him.
Dennis was finishing up the three loads of laundry laid out on his bed, folding them all perfectly. Putting each pile of clothing in different rooms throughout the house. Reaching to one of the rooms at the end of the hallway, he opened the door almost tripping over a toy. He groaned in annoyance at the sight of all the crayons scattered all over the place, along with stuffed animals thrown everywhere. Picking up the small trains and other items tossing them all into a giant chest next to the yellow sheeted bed. Laying the clothing out neatly and left immediately, closing the door from behind. He walked back on the opposite side of the house reaching to his room again. He took the rest of the clothing making his way to his dresser.
A cool breeze came into the house. The window was open, he completely forgot, it wasn't like him to forget most things. Maybe he was just tired, it has been a busy day. Dennis push aside the sheer thin white curtains reaching for the top to pull down on the window. He looked down for a moment, his head snapping twice seeing the girl was still sitting outside. Did she not want to go inside? It was pretty chilly outside tonight. He wondered if she was waiting for someone to come home. Should he go back out there? Ask her if she was alright? He thought, unsure of what to do. He decided to keep his window open, just in case. He went into his bathroom and closed the door.
Casey knew she couldn't stay out here much longer anyways. She didn't want to catch a cold. Her head whipped up at the sight of bright head-lights coming down the street fast. Speak of the devil. He pulled up into the driveway rapidly causing the truck to bounce every which way. She got up from her spot, seeing the car was still running and hadn't been shut off yet. The car door was kicked wide open, with loud beer cans spilling all over onto the ground. Still holding another in his hand, trying to get his enormous body out of the car. Casey rolled her eyes at the sight, he must be really hammered this time if he can't even get his fat ass out the car door. The head-lights still shined bright with the engine running. Casey walked over to the truck looking behind the door. His body slipped out of the car like a limp noodle, with his arms out wide trying to steady himself up.
"Hey shouldn't you be in bed by now?" He tripped forward as Casey stepped aside letting him collapse.
She hopped up into the truck easily removing the keys out, and shutting down the car completely. She put the keys in her pocket as she rolled the windows up manually.
"Hey- you can't.., drive." He said getting up on his knees.
"Actually it's you who shouldn't be driving." She said hopping down from the car seat.
Casey slammed the door shut.
"Whaaat I was.., not driving." He said taking a sip from his beer can again.
Casey dragged him up the porch and inside. Trying to keep him steady with his arm over her shoulder blade. Going up the stairs with his fat ass was a bitch she thought. Most girls get to go out at night and have fun, instead she's dragging a drunk man to his room like he's a young hungover teenager.
She pushed his door open and made their way inside. Casey pushed him on his bed.
"Ahhh my word!" He yelped sinking into the bed.
Casey took the beer from his hand and placed it on the table next to her.
"You sure are pretty." He said with his drunk sluggish tone.
Casey gave him a dirty look with her eyes opened wide showing disgust, and fear. She turned and was about to head for the door. Suddenly her wrist was being pulled back sharply.
"I gave you a compliment." He said with seriousness.
She didn't say a word.
"Get in bed." He demanded.
"Let go." She whispered through her teeth.
He only squeezed tighter around her small fragile wrist.
"I said let go!" She shouted, kicking his arm with her heavy boots.
"AHHhh!" He roared.
She was free running fast out of the room slamming his door, and dashing to her room. She shut her door quickly locking it.
"Casey! You come back here!" He screamed.
Casey put her hands on her head, she was running out of options at this point.
Dennis opened his bathroom door he could have sworn he heard loud shouts and screams nearby. He headed for the window but saw nothing, noticing the girl wasn't even outside on her porch anymore. His one brow went up in suspicion. But in the end, he didn't see anything, or hear anything now. How strange he thought, he was even thinking of going back down, but there was no point now. He tucked his body back inside, and slowly closed his window, dropping the blinds.
Caseys head was spinning rapidly along with her body looking for some type of answer. One day she was going to get sick, there will be a day where she won't be able to handle this monstrosity.
"Casey! Open up! You disappeared my order!" He shouted.
Loud vicious sounds came from her door. Her breathing became heavy. She looked around quickly with her hair sticking to her face with sweat and nervousness. The window she thought opening it, I can fit and be able to esca-
"HEY! Get back here!" He screamed knocking down her door.
Her eyes widen at the sight, she was half way out. Suddenly her ankle was yanked harshly almost pulling her back in.
"No!" She said breathing through her teeth.
Trying to use all her might to flee from his sturdy grip.
"You know what happens when you disobey me girl!" He shouted, retrieving his sharp bladed knife.
Reaching for her lower stomach, he nicked her on the side. Casey yelp in pain, feeling the powerful rage consume her within. With her free foot she square kicked him right in the face. Immediately letting go of her and stumbled backwards holding his nose and mouth. Soon realizing Casey was still pulling herself back, she flew back rolling off the roof completely, and landed on the grass. She groaned still feeling the sharp pain from her side. Casey didn't have time to check it though, she had to run she knew he'd come back out here and hunt her down. Desperately trying to pick herself back up, with her hand holding her wound. She had risen up, almost toppling over again catching herself on the gate. Hearing the loud thundering coming from above the dark skies. Casey swung the gate open rapidly and ran.
Ok that wasn't his imagination this time he did hear something. He sped down the staircase without hesitation this time. He swung open the door walking fully out onto his porch, the rain started to make its way down fast suddenly. It was completely dark and gloomy out, only seeing dim-light coming from down on the corner of the street. Dennis immediately snapped his head to the opening of the door where Casey lived. Maybe that was her, he thought. He walked to his railing hoping to see her, than stopped fast seeing a grown man come out instead. He back up into his door again, almost trying not to be seen. Dennis was thankful he didn't keep his front house light on today. He watched from the corner like a snake. The giant man came out with what seems to be a can of some sort in his hand, and he appeared to have a bloody nose. Dennis wasn't entirely sure, but he couldn't see very well from the distance. Another thunderstorm came down harshly, was Casey ok he thought? He knew he heard screams and shouts of some sort for sure this time. What happening, he thought.
Casey was under the bus stop. She was completely drenched with water, her hair lingered over her face as she looked down. The bloody had ceased, and it wasn't deep enough to get stitches thank goodness, she thought. Why did this have to happen, out of all the people in the world, why was she going through all this dysfunction. She felt sick, tired, hungry, maybe she was dying she thought. At this point she'd except her fate, then maybe she'd be with the true person who actually loved her. All the good people she'd ever known were taken away, even in general, whether it's cancer, disease, or mental illnesses. Murders happen everyday taking away the innocent without reason, letting the mad man still live even behind metal bars. Drunk drivers ruining and taking the lives of the pure, while we suffer to pick up the severed pieces of what's left behind.
Casey put her head on her face. Tears started to come down gently like a river. She needed help, but where could she really go. Suddenly she heard a slight drop hit the ground. It almost sounded like paper dropping on its corner. She looked down next to her, it was a white folded up piece of paper. Moving her arms out realizing it had fallen out of her pocket. The heavy droplets of rain start to consume the paper. Casey bent over to pick it up before it got too soaked to even read. She opened it gently trying her best not to tear it apart. Remembering it instantly, she read the top in big black letters 'HELP WANTED', by the old Philly Diner near the zoo.
Her eyes shot up, with her head lifted high. She knew what she had to do at this point. She stood up fast, feeling frazzled searching for her phone. Reading the time saying, 10:46. She still had time. There were no more buses at this time, but you only live once, she thought. Casey ran into the rain without any equivocation. Soon spotting a bike on someone yawn, she grabbed it quickly and plopped herself on.
"Sorry, gonna have to borrow this." She muttered, as she took off peddling.
Moving much faster, she past the town and headed to the next one over. She rode without any doubt in her mind. She didn't live far from the city, as she crossed over the bridge. Bright lights still shined through out the city of Philly. Many cars on the streets, with lots of people walking up and down the sidewalks. She was almost near the Philadelphia Zoo, just passing by turning the next corner. There were less people now near this part of the city, she still heard the echoes of the city's cars honking loudly, and the police sirens going off rapidly.
Casey eyes expanded at the sight on the corner. The old Philly Diner, it's lights still glowed on the inside with life. The rain was still coming down but easing up little by little. Casey cautiously crosses the slick black street to the corner. She hopped off the bike quickly, directly in front of her showed in thick black letters reading 'CLOSED'.
Casey sighed in annoyance at this, still put her hand on the window to see inside the back kitchen window. Maybe there was someone still back there cleaning up, after all the lights were still on, she thought. Casey raised her fist and knocked on the glass door, hoping someone would come from the back. She waited, feeling a bit anxious when the rain started up once again.
"Come on." She muttered.
But she wasn't going to take this, she wasn't going to come here all the way for nothing. Casey knocked again, but with more force this time. Suddenly, she saw the kitchen door abruptly get shoved open. It was a tall man with dirty blonde hair up to his jaw, and seeing a dirty apron tied tightly around his thin waist. He walked heavily to the front door, with a cigarette barely hanging onto the edge of his lip. Casey backed up a bit unsure of what to suspect from his intense and annoyed body language. He unlocked the door opening it enough for half his body to stick out slightly. Using his free hand to take out his cigarette, and whipping the hair out of his face.
"What kid? Can't you see it's rainin cats and dogs out here?" He said, in a southern accent.
Casey breathed heavy.
"I want the job."
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