Chapter Two
The next day, I wake up with the thought of my imminent fate making itself comfortable in my brain. I feel practically giddy as I pull on my grungy robe since I know my days having to wear it are numbered. I don't even mind when Kelvin yells at me to hurry up getting outside.
As I take up my spot on the sidewalk, I fall into my usual routine of losing myself in my thoughts. For once, though, I find my thoughts rather comforting. Dead in two months. It'll all be over. Maybe I'll even get to see mother and father in the afterlife. I chuckle slightly and cast my eyes downward at the thought. What afterlife? At least there's an end in sight now. I'll die with my dignity and spirit intact. No one will ever be able to say they broke me. I smile at my thoughts.
By midday, my smile hasn't left my lips. I feel looser, lighter, freer. Relief and something close to happiness had been flooding my body ever since Kelvin told me the news. Not even the cold November air manages to bother me. All the dodgy little shops along the square seem cheerier. The sun seems brighter. For the first time in a while, everything has color and the world looks beautiful. My smile only widens as the minutes pass.
The smile falls, though, when a pair of black leather boots stop in front of me. I'm confused. Boots don't stop in front of me. No types of shoes stop in front of me. It's just a curious on-looker who will move on soon enough after he realizes his mistake. I concentrate on the boots to pass the time. They're bulky and round toed, not unlike the boots one sees on most bikers. They're scuffed up and look well worn. The thing about them I notice most as time continues on, though, is the fact that their owner is still standing in front of me. I can feel his eyes burning into the top of my head. Why isn't he moving? Why isn't he leaving?
"What's your name, beautiful?" a soft, raspy voice asks.
"What's it to you?" I retort without looking up. Instead of immediately walking off like so many in the past, though, a small laugh escapes from him.
"Fiery. I like that," he says quietly.
"Let's set you on fire and see how much you like it then," I hiss. I can practically feel him smiling. He chuckles before shouting out to Kelvin through the window I broke yesterday, "Oi! Shopkeep!" Kelvin hurries out as quickly as possible. When he reaches the man, he sounds slightly out of breath.
"Yes, sir? How can I help you, sir?"
"What's the story on this little lady?"
"Her, sir?" Kelvin asks, incredulous. "Well, ah, she's, um…well…" he falters.
"You have no talking points on one of your own wares? Alright, let me help you out. Does she have a name?" the man asks impatiently.
"Oh, yes, yes, sir," Kelvin responds enthusiastically. He knows this is the one point that may possibly redeem himself, "She's Iris Weatherly." There's a pause before the man starts laughing heartily.
"You're slick, old man. Iris Weatherly. As if."
"No, no, sir. I'm quite serious. Have the papers on her and everything!" Kelvin says hurriedly. He doesn't want to lose this opportunity to get me off his hands. Another silence ensues before the man in front of me continues.
"You're not joking? This girl is seriously who you say she is?"
"Yes, sir. Oh, yes, sir, she is. Allow me one second to fetch her file." Kelvin shuffles back into the shop and returns almost immediately with a manila envelope. He shows the man my file and they look through the papers for a few moments, Kelvin occasionally pointing out something or another. "I should warn you, though, sir. She has a bit of a smart mouth on her." The man chuckles softly.
"Oh, I've already gotten a taste of that. I'll take her," he says while pulling his wallet out with a flourish.
My eyes snap up at his words, and I know they're wide with the panic I haven't felt in months. My breath catches as the man pays Kelvin. This is really happening. Oh, God, this is actually happening… The man looks over at me and grins widely as the transaction finishes up. I feel myself get trapped in his eyes and suddenly feel like a deer caught in headlights. So green. So unbelievably green.
"Thank you, sir. Excellent doing business with you, sir," Kelvin gushes as he counts the money in his hand. The man reaches out and catches my wrist lightly without breaking his gaze.
"Well, let's get you to your new home, sunshine," he says cheerfully before starting off. My brain stops working when he releases my stare, and my body forgets how to walk. I feel so numb as I'm resigned to stumble along behind him. He leads me over to a black car with dark windows where another man is waiting next to the driver's door.
"Heading home, sir?" the new man asks.
"Yes, Renton, thanks," He says as he opens the door and guides me in. My brain, still refusing to work properly, has me slide into the car without fight. He slides in right after me, shuts and locks the door.
"Very good, sir," Renton replies, climbing into the car.
Moments later, I feel the engine start to rumble softly and the car start moving. I remain numb through the car trip. I'm unable to take in the sights I haven't seen in so long blurring past the window. All the calm and beauty and peace I felt this morning is gone. It's replaced now by a hollow, empty feeling that stays with me as Renton continues to drive.
As the car slows some time later, signaling the impending arrival to our destination, panic starts creeping back into my blood. By the time the car stops and the man opens the door, I'm nearly shaking with fear. My heart is racing. My palms are sweating. Tears are welling up in my eyes, and I feel like I might throw up but know nothing would actually come up. Everything I've been trying to prevent for so long is about to happen. Everything I hoped to avoid is going to happen. He's going to break me. Oh, God he's going to destroy me. He climbs out of the car and leans back in to address me, a grin back on his lips.
"You coming?"
His words set everything in, and I can't help or prevent my action.
I pass out.