Chapter VII
Candy from Strangers
Molly Black adjusted the backpack again. The old straps dug into her bare shoulders uncomfortably. Her blonde hair was hidden under the baseball cap. The cap, like the rest of her clothes and almost all of her possessions, had been inherited from one of her older siblings. Carrie's old shirt, Brian's old jeans, Tori's old shoes, Luke's old cap, Frank's old backpack. The only thing that was hers and hers alone were the cheap glasses she wore. She was walking along the edge of the blacktop. It was a mile walk from school to home and she was only half way done with it. The desert sun bore down and made her sweat in the hot, stale afternoon. She put the ear buds of her CD player, which she'd won in a poker match at lunch a few weeks back, on her ears and hit play. The burnt CD she'd gotten from a friend started and the sounds of urban Las Vegas were blotted out by the heavy techno bass of Hi-Def, her favorite rapper.
With the music playing, Molly's mind made the switch from school to home. When she got home she would have to cook dinner, make sure her younger brother and sister did their homework and check on Nana. Her assorted older siblings and parents would not get into until late, they all had jobs. At twelve she wasn't old enough to have a job, but she kept the household running as smoothly as she could.
When a large white car rolled to a stop beside her, she tensed. She wasn't in Gang territory, but you could never be too careful. The back window rolled down and Molly prepared herself for the worst. Perverts, serial killers, muggers. When the air conditioning hit her face and she saw who was in the back seat, she smiled and quickly took the cap off her head. "Hello." The suave and cultured voice came out of the car, "I thought I recognized you, it's Molly, right?" She nodded, "Yes. I really enjoyed your talk today." The speaker nodded, "Well, it's pretty hot out here, young lady. How about I have my driver drop you off, we can talk some more, you had some very smart questions earlier.
Molly's mother had always told her not to take candy from strangers, but this was different. She smiled and the door opened for her. Molly had never been in a limo.
Molly Black never made it home.
Author's Note: Three Chapters in one night. I spoil you, all five of you.