Vaggie lived in a very small apartment with her mother who worked two jobs, a waitress at a diner and a receptionist for a local photography studio. She wasn't at home very often and when she was at home she was mostly at the computer typing up records for her boss, paying bills, or preparing portfolios.

Photography was a hobby for Mrs. Ramirez but she had started out wanting to pursue a career in journalism. She proved herself to be an excellent writer and reporter but come her sophomore year, she began dating an eccentric young painter a.k.a Vaggie's father, who suggested she drop out of college and travel with him, using their passions to become rich and famous. Well at that time she was young, rebellious, and gullible so of course she accepted his offer.

They left El Salvador and drove to up to states with dreams of fame and glory brought on by his art skills and her photography skills. Unfortunately reality often tends to differ from what we fantasize about and in the case of Vaggie's parents, the differences were huge. Neither her father's paintings or mother's photos became as famous as they had hoped. Three years passed and eventually Vaggie came into the picture so the couple had to stop traveling, settle down, and get jobs. Only her mother was the only who actually worked, her father decided he would keep trying to sell his paintings. And to make things more difficult, they moved into a ramshackle house, living without running water, gas, or electricity.

As the years went by, no one took an interest in Mr. Ramirez's work and it really bothered his wife that he wouldn't at least try to work a job that would pay the bills. She reasoned, she begged, and she nagged. Then one night Vaggie came home to see her mother ranting and screaming at her father, calling him a useless prick and telling him to get out of her sight forever. Next day, she left and took Vaggie with her along with any and all money that they had which included a trust fund left behind by Vaggie's grandparents. It broke Vaggie's heart because she had particualrly close with her father. Her mother was often very busy at work and Vaggie was left alone with her father so they seemed to have a better bond. Vaggie understood her mother not wanting to be with him anymore but why couldn't she let Vaggie keep in contact with her father? Yes the man was a slacker but he loved his daughter. Didn't they have a right to have a relationship?

The thing was though, Vaggie's mother never really talked to her about what happened between her and her father. Or rather she never had time to discuss the matter with her. She was just so overworked and trying so hard to make sure certain demands were met. If she didn't they'd be out on the street and she couldn't bear for that to happen.

"I thought you were working at the diner tonight." Vaggie said entering the apartment and finding her mother typing on her laptop at the kitchen table.

"Roz agreed to cover my shift tonight so I could work on this add." Her mother responded, not looking up from the computer screen.

"What add?" Vaggie asked.

"My employer at the studio, Mr. Foxworth is looking for new ideas in advertising. If one of his employees gives him something with the right photos and the right words, they'll be promoted."

"And that's what you're doing right now? Creating an advertisement?"

"Yes and it's a lot more difficult than you realize and I need concentration, so just run along and get started on your homework."

"When I'm done with my homework can I go out? I want to see that new art gallery opening up."

"Not tonight Vaggie. It's a school night."

"I won't oversleep. I'll be able to get up and get to school on time."

"I don't think so and I don't want you walking around town alone at night. It's not safe."

"I can take care of myself."

"That line has probably been said by every teenage girl ever raped, killed, or sold into human trafficking. My answer is no, you're not going out. And don't even think about trying to sneak out because I'll know."

"How would you know?" Vaggie muttered under her breath. "You can't even take the time to look at me when you talk to me."

"I heard that." Her mother responded sternly. "Don't you start getting an attitude with me young lady and don't forget who you inherited that temper of yours from. Make me angry enough and I'll ground you til you turn eighteen. Is that clear?"

"Crystal." She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "Did Dad call today?"

"No Vaggie."

"What about the mail? Did he send me any letters?"

"I don't know. I haven't checked the mail yet. Want to go get it?"

"Sure."

Vaggie stepped outside the apartment and went out the building to the shared mailbox to see if there was anything addressed to her from her father. Per usual it was all the evelopes with her apartment number printed on it were specifically addressed to her mother. Most likely more bills.

She was slowly placing each one into the pocket of her jacket, seemingly unaware that she was not alone at the moment. From a short distance, something was spy on her and ever so slowly creeping up on her from behind. The figure slowly rose up from the ground and stood over her, reaching out to her. But before it could pounce, Vaggie turned right around and slugged it the face.

"You know stalking is a crime." She said. "A crime that some people can get put away for life for. Or worse."

The person her fist had collided with was one of Charlie's neighbors, Mrs. De Luca's grandson Angel. Or as everyone at school called him, the weird kid.

"Geez Vaggie." He said rubbing his nose. "If you knew it was me then why did you have to punch so hard?"

"To teach you a lesson." She said. "Maybe now you'll stop stalking you creep."

"I'm not stalking you." He said. "I was picking up Grandma's meds fro mthe pharmacy, I saw you and I thought I'd give you a little jump scare."

This time Vaggie did roll her eyes.

"You are such a child." She said. "And I thought your grandma didn't like you to go out after dark."

"Only if I'm alone or with other kids, she doens't mind if I have an adult with me and my cousin came with me to get the meds. Though he's not exactly what you would call a mature and responsible grown up."

"You know you're seventeen years old, your grandma shouldn't be so overprotective."

"I know but I can't really blame her. Creepy things happen around at night."

"What do you mean?"

"Well the town has a lot of spooky legends surrounding it. For example, you know that stream in the medow? The one with the bridge on it?"

"Yeah, I took a look at it today."

"Legend says that only someone with a soul can cross the stream."

"What?"

"Apparently back in pioneer times, when the town was being fonded, there was a dark hollow forest right next to it and inside there lived some kind of demon who would sneak into the town at night and steal away the children. They say that the heart broken and fearful parents prayed to God for help so many times that he sent an angel down from Heaven used his sword to cut a crack in the ground between the town and the forest. The crack spread and a stream formed, creating a type a barrier in which no one lacking a soul could ever cross it. And since demons don't have souls, the one who preyed on the town's children would remain stuck in that forest forever."

"What a crock of shit. Don't tell me you actually believe in that?"

"Not really but it's interesting to hear about. My grandma though, I think she might believe in it. Somewhat."

"How so?"

"Well I'm not supposed to talk about it but let's just say if Grandma ever found out I went within two inches of that bridge, she'd kick my ass all the way back to Brooklyn."

"I saw the other end of that bridge. There's no forest or anything. Just dried up and lifeless land."

"That's what I told her but she made me swear on my mother's grave that I would never cross that bridge for any reason and you never break a promise to your grandmother. Never."

"No offense but your grandma sounds like she has a lot of issues."

"Well considering that my mother, her daughter, was murdered by my old man." He said.

"Oh...Right." Vaggie said adjusting her tone to be more gentle. "Sorry."

"It's alright. I know Grandma can be a little weird about things but that's because she's been through a lot and she's lost so many people. First Grandpa, then Mom, and then..."

He suddenly stopped as if he had said too much.

"And then..." Vaggie said trying to get him to finish. "Then who else? Blitzo's parents?"

"Yeah! Her sister! Blitzo's mom!" He improvised. "Truthfully, myself and Blitzo are all that she has left. Okay she still has Uncle Roberto but he's all the way back in Long Island. Anyway, Grandma is just scared to death of losing anybody else."

"Still she has to ease up sometime."

"She will, when I leave town or when I turn twenty. Whichever comes first."

"Why until one of those happens?"

He groaned at the idea of telling her.

"It's a long story and believe me you don't want to know. That being said, I should probably get back to the car before Blitzo comes back and notices I'm gone. He'll rat me out to Grandma and you'll probably never see me again until after a month passes."

"That actually sounds very nice."

"Oh ha-ha! Very funny." He said. "See you at school Vaggie."

He walked around the corner and down to where the pharmacy was located. Vaggie then returned to her apartment with her mother's mail, thinking to herself that Angel probably had more issues than his grandmother.