Rating: T
Setting: Before the events of Gargoyles
Characters: Talia Xanatos, Puck
Relationships: None
Warnings: Sexual references, homelessness
Other Tags: Sad Hurt/Comfort, (You'll see what I mean), Minor spoilers for story
Chapter 5
Homeless
"Get back here by 5 or there won't be any beds for you." The shelter worker kicked Talia and all the other people out.
They all spilt off, going separate directions. She went to the crosswalk. A group of girls, a little older than Talia, sneered at her.
"Stop following us." One of them told her.
"I'm not-" She tried to defend herself.
"Shut it." The girl snipped.
They crossed the street and Talia went the opposite direction. It was a sunny day again. That meant the heat was back. Talia felt sticky and gross from wearing the same clothes for two weeks. But she had no other clothes to wear since all her stuff was stolen. Talia hadn't realized how she far gone until she saw some women in super short dresses and low cut shirts.
"It's that fucking kid again!" A redhead yelled.
"Let her stay, she keeps the cops away." An older woman said.
"And the customers!" The redhead glared.
"Chill, Cherry. The café down the street has some water bottles." A blond walked toward them. She wore a shimmery blue dress and heels.
"You better go before one the boys show up." The older woman looked at Talia. "Whoever's watching over you doesn't want this life for you."
"Right. I'll just go now." Talia pushed past them.
Talia found the café at the end of the street. The owner watched her as she went to the cooler and grabbed a water bottle. Talia walked to the cash register. An elderly woman was there. Talia took the change out of her pocket and started counting. It wasn't enough. Her lip trembled.
"Don't cry, dearie. You can have it." She said.
"Aunt Tori, don't fall for her act! She just wants to scam us." He retorted.
"It's going to 90 degrees today! What would your mother think of you refusing a helpless girl like that?" She stared him down.
"Take your water and get out. I won't have you stinking up my business." He crossed his arms.
Talia left. She spent the morning dumpster diving. Talia scored a backpack, two bags of cans, and a pocket knife. She returned the cans and got $3.50 back. Then it was lunch time. Her stomach growled painfully. A pizza pallor was just up ahead. Talia casually scouted the tables for scraps. She only got a half-eaten slice and a cup of soda before she was run off.
Talia refilled her empty water bottle at a water fountain. She looked around. There was a thrift store. They had clothes. She went inside. It was cooler than outside. All the items had that second hand grime to it. Talia made a beeline to the clothing section. She looked through the racks, stuffing a few shirts and pants in her backpack, leaving quickly. She found a little bookstore across the street. Talia snuck in and read a few books from the children's section until some customers complained about a smell. It was time to go back to the shelter. She had a long walk ahead her.
Puck snapped his fingers and vaporized all the nasty bugs in the shelter. Talia would be back soon. There was an anonymous donation of food to the shelter. She would have a full dinner tonight. He couldn't show too much favoritism or someone would catch on. He'd guide her to the community center tomorrow. They had showers. Talia and the other people showed back up.
The workers locked their belongings away and gave them dinner. Baked beans and sliced up hot dogs. Puck frowned. Were the employees saving all the good food for themselves? His anger flared. The worker in the kitchen burned their hand on the stove. They left and someone else took over. They looked in the fridge and found the salad.
Talia ate and then it was lights out. She laid there while the other homeless people fell asleep quickly. Tears fell down her face. She hated it here. Why did Puck bring her to New York? Puck's magic settled over her, putting her to sleep. Puck tossed a handful of quarters in her backpack for the laundromat. He laid next to her and held her in his arms.
"I'm trying to convince Xanatos, Talia, just hang on. Tomorrow will be better." He whispered and kissed her cheek, hope dimming.
