Chapter 25
At first, we belted out from one song to another randomly and other times, we'll tell funny stories about our childhood. Basically, we tried doing anything to distract us from our aching and sore legs.
My feet were screaming for rest after all that dancing and walking but I couldn't stop now, not in the middle of the night where people might as well be cold-hearted killers disguised as junkies.
I continued to walk, clutching on my purse tightly. I can't let my guard down when I'm walking with a girl that I doubt knows how to fight in the middle of the night in some deserted street. Plain idiocy, if you ask me.
We finally started passing by closed factories, banks, restaurants, until we passed this building. I think it was an office.
I saw a man, maybe in his late 50s, using a floppy hat, holding a broom, raking the leaves that fell off the trees to the streets in front of the gates. He was working silently, the broom brushing off the leaves onto a pile and as we passed him, my gut tugged at the sight.
It was late and this old man who probably has a family at home that was waiting for him, was working. A family he needs to feed.
With every step I took away, my heart sank that much deeper into my stomach and my feet felt like leads. I practically had to drag them to keep moving.
"Oh, fuck it," I murmured under my breath as I opened my purse and took out 20 bucks and turned the opposite direction, abandoning a gaping Penelope for a second. I didn't even need to tap the man's shoulder to get his attention; he had his head raised to meet my eyes when he heard my footsteps bringing me back.
He was about to open his mouth, most probably about to ask me something but shut it after seeing my outstretched hand.
I had folded the money three times and he took it slowly before smiling at me. I felt the knot in my heart loosen and I was able to breathe again. I stared into the man's clouded eyes. I sucked in a breath as he thanked me, feeling something tug at my heart.
I found myself offering him a soft and small smile before nodding in reply.
I turned on my heel and started walking towards Penelope in a rush.
I need to get out of there without bursting into tears and embarrassing myself.
She eyed me in curiosity as I dragged her along by the arm. "What was that for?" She asked and I could hear the confusion laced in her words.
I gritted my teeth in annoyance.
"An act of kindness? A good deed? What? Can't someone do something for people and not expect anything in return?" I spat the snarky remark and she visibly wince.
"I-I, Well-"
I cut her off with a regretful sigh, immediately feeling bad on how I snapped at her. "I'm sorry for snapping, it's just that- it aggravates me that such a simple act can surprise you, it just proved how much our generation has been degraded into ignorant and blind fools." I huffed out a sigh in the end, but I'm far from done.
"I mean I know how the saying goes, that ignorance is bliss but sometimes people has just got to open their eyes and see what's happening around them and stop being ungrateful brats. Not all of them are but it's annoying the shit out of me. The way you looked at me was as if I just gave life to someone.
"It shouldn't be like that. It should be an everyday thing that you see. However, I guess a girl can only hope that the future will be better."
Penelope seemed to be pondering about something for a moment, a thoughtful look and something else crossed her face but it was gone in an instant.
I brushed it off, thinking nothing of it. When suddenly, a voice called out behind us and I felt the hair on the back of my neck rose in alarm and a chill ran down my back. It's not the good kind either.
"Hello dearies."
I whirled back and my stare narrowed on the form that was staggering forward. It was dark and the only source of light was the dimly lit lamp post a few meters away.
I squinted to see his face as he tripped on his own foot. His body posture was slumped and his movement was sluggish. My gut was telling me to run the other way and I was about to listen when another voice came from behind me.
"Hey pretties."
I jolted and rushed back to Penelope's side, holding her hand and pulling her close, shielding her from them. I turned to the other party, watching their every move.
In our right side, there was a group of 3 people that were sneering at us, taunting us. They looked pretty sober and I could feel my heartbeat pick up. My mind started calculations while my eyes flew from one side to the other, sizing them up.
My eyes darted around our surroundings, searching for a quick escape.
The second they came too close for my liking, I pulled Penelope, who was quivering in her shoes, to one side and told her to run in a hushed tone.
She looked at me like I was crazy.
"Go! I'll distract them, go somewhere safe and don't look back."
She didn't seem to think twice about it. Her chin was trembling and she seemed to be in the brink of tears. She pulled me into a hug and with a soft thank you, she was off like the hell hounds were on her heels.
I turned to our uninvited guests and saw the man gesturing his companions to go after Penelope.
I narrowed my eyes into slits as I took off my flats.
Girly time's over, boys. Meet Pixie.
