Streetwalker

In one of the forgotten back alleys in the Westside City District, sitting curled up beside a dumpster with paper and torn books from the garbage piled on top for warmth a small child huddled beneath a thin shawl, shaking as the cold wind coming through the alley whipped off the crumpled and stained papers that she had piled on to get some insulation. Painfully, the child uncrossed her stiffened arms and slowly pulled her hood back over her head. One long cut ran down her left cheek. Bruises and scratches lined her forehead and chin, dealt out by other children stronger and faster then she ever could be. Digging around in her long dress pocket with a shaky hand her cold fingers rapped around two thin coins. They didn't find them. The wind howled, twisting and swirling about her as it blew the rest of the paper away. The child got up quickly, leaning on the brick wall for support as she drew the rag shawl about her. For a moment she swayed, staring down the street as she held the two coins in her left hand, pressing them hard against her skin to keep herself awake. Knowing that she had to move on the child forced her legs to move. The little figure shuffled down the alley at a slow place, a street light casting a long shadow behind her as she went. Though the girl was beaten up and half starved, she was not all together lost. Running her small, pale hand over the brick wall she came to the end of the alley way and peered around the corner. Lighted signs stood out on that road. The child recognized the area and knew there was a chance of getting food there, she hesitated, seeing several figures standing around the doors of the shops. Under her hood the little girl's grey, hallow eyes reflected the warn lights coming from the open doors. A sound from behind her made her jump. She turned quickly, hearing loud voices laughing and talking together from the alley behind her. Stuffing the two ice cold coins back into her pocket she child darted around the corner and onto the open street, recognizing the voices. Four boys jostled and pushed one another as they walked past the dumpster in the alley. The oldest boy, almost fourteen swore and cursed loudly as he counted the coins in his grimy hands. His companions leaned close as he counted, eager to get their share. The girl ran along the street, rapping her shawl tightly around her thin shoulders. Seeing from the corner of her eye the four boys emerging from the dark alley the child panicked. Changing course suddenly, she turned, making for a thin gap between two crumbling buildings. The oldest boy dropped his coins into a leather sack, slinging it over one shoulder he quickly pointed to the girl making a run for it. The child heard him saying something to his friends then their footsteps sounding quickly on the road. The girl running blind in the dark part of the street she did not see the street's ditch. Her left food slipped and she fell awkwardly into the ditch. Crying out in pain she scrambled to get up clawing at the ditch walls. A large hand descended on her shoulder and she was hulled up out of the ditch and dumped in the opening of the gap that she had been making for. The four boys were standing over her. One of them sighed in disappointment.

“We've already got this one's money just a few days ago. She won't have more.”

The child got up slowly, caging her chances of escape.

“No,” the oldest boy said gruffly. "She got away from we could search her proper."

The girl made a dash for the road again but of the thieves grabbed her arm and jerked her back into their circle.

"Dahn, hold her." the oldest said.

The girl felt her arms being twisted as the oldest boy tore of her hood and shawl then checked both pockets. His short think fingers closed over the two coins. pulling his hand out of the girl's pocket he held them up for his friends to see. The child's heart sank.

"See? I told ya. Probably begged it off of some old woman, didn't you?"

The girl did not answer. The thief hit out at her face with his large fist. The child was knocked to one side but the boy holding her hulled her back to her feet.

"Can't you talk, girl?"

The other thieves were laughing. Panic welled up in the girl's chest as she saw the boy's hand hardening into a fist again. He struck out again at her cheek. She ducked the blow then straining her neck as far back as she could she bit the right arm of the boy that was holding her. Crying out in pain he let go and the girl sprang towards the street, taking the ditch in a leap and scrambling up onto the road the girl dashed off. Disregarding the people on the streets and around the shops the girl looked frantically for a dark place to hide . She did not dare to look back to see if the thieves were following. As she ran she caught sight of a dark hiding place near one of he shops. Darting past several people standing around the open door she ran into the dark alley way and pressed her back against the brick wall, listening for the sounds of the four boys on the street. Faintly she heard the oldest boy curing as he berated his friends for loosing her. Slowly, with her strength fading the girl slid down the brick wall until she was sitting with her legs pulled up to her chin. Eyes half closed she watches the four boys pounding past her on the road, calling out dire threats. The child turned her head away and slowly closed her eyes, shivering uncontrollably as the wind whipped about her. If the child had been able to read the sign sticking out of the front of the building would have read 'Banryn Family Bakery'. The back door of the bakery swung open and a old man came shuffling out, carrying a bowl of old dishwater. He was about to throw it out when he saw the figure of a child curled up against the building, shaking violently. Despite the shaking the girl had still managed to fall half asleep and was unaware of the man.

"Child?" the old man said softly.

The little girl jumped at the sound of his voice, her head jerking up. At the sight of the old baker the child scrambled back and stood to her feet. The man held up his free hand, speaking slowly to the girl in a calm voice.

"Are you lost, child?"

The girl shook her head silently. The old baker pored the water out quickly then set the bowl aside, looking concerned.

"Is your home near?"

Again, the girl shook her head.

"Where are your parents?"

She did not answer. The child stared up at him with her bleak grey eyes, saying nothing. The old man offered his hand.

"You'll freeze out here, child. Come in. Me and my wife will get you some food and warm clothes."

Not wanting to take his hand the girl walked walked past him towards the door. The man took the bowl and followed her in, shutting the door behind him. Feeling more like a captive then a welcomed guest the child was led through the old baker's kitchens towards the front of the house but stopped at the sight of all the people waiting in a line for the large counter. A elderly woman stood at the counter, taking orders from the clients. The old baker patted the child's shoulder kindly.

"It's okay, child. No one will hurt you hear. Cirna," he said, beckoning to the woman at the counter.

The woman walked over to the two and listened to the old baker as he spoke in a quiet voice to her.

"I found this child outside on the street. She's scared of people, I don't know if she can talk but.. Could you get her something to eat?"

Cirna smiled and nodded.

"Of course I can."

The child followed the woman rather reluctantly, staying close to the wall as she kept her head down. Cirna led the child into a side room and set her down at a small wooden table then brought a bowl of soup and a piece of a freshly baked loaf of bread and set it down on the table. The child grabbed the bread without looking at Cirna and began wolfing it down. Cirna leaned against the wall and rubbed her arms slowly, watching the girl eat. The child's blond hair cover in dirt and dust could hardly be recognized as blond and her tattered, thread bare dress hampered her every movement. Having devoured the bread the girl picked up the bowl and her mud smeared face was hidden behind the large dish but Cirna could still just see the child's grey eyes, staring back, watching. Cirna walked over to the table and sat down opposite to the child as the girl put down the now empty bowl. Cirna smiled at the child and spoke in a gentle voice.

"What is your name, child?"

The child cleared her throat and spoke in a hoarse voice.

"Meriel Lastmen."

Cirna chuckled.

"Well you certainly are not the last woman to eat." she paused for a moment then continued. "Are your parents gone?"

Meriel nodded silently. Cirna took the bowl and stood, hearing her husband calling her.

“I'll let you sleep here tonight if you want, Meriel."

Meriel nodded, saying nothing.

The darkness did not seem to press around Meriel as much as usual. Warmth. it was a strange thing. Meriel turned on her side in the little bed, pulling her long tangled hair from her face as she snuggled deeper under the warm blankets. The woman Cirna had led her up to a small room above the kitchens on the second floor and had given her new clothes and warm blankets. Meriel traced the patterns on one of the blankets with her fingers, hearing Cirna and the old baker speaking in low tones to one another in the room beside the one she was in.

"How's the child doing?" the man said, sitting down on a old ripped up couch with a cup of coffee in his work worn hands.

Cirna replied slowly as she folded one of the extra blankets.

"She's fine, Anrin."

"Good," Anrin replied, turning up the lamp on the coffee table beside him. "Well the bakery's all locked up and I've paid all those pesky bills for once. So you got the girl to speak then?"

Cirna nodded.

"I knew you would," Anrin said smiling. "You were always better with children."

Cirna put the blanket she had folded to one side.

"The child said her name was Meriel Lastmen. She said that her parents were gone."

Anrin sighed.

"What child's parents aren't on this planet? Lastmen... Wasn't that some politician from New York, earth or somewhere who came to enforce civilian protection?"

"Shh..." Cirna said softly, glancing at Meriel's closed door.

She walked over to Anrin and sat down beside him.

"He was killed in that bomb raid a couple of weeks ago. It's amazing that Meriel escaped that if she is his daughter."

Meriel turned again on her bed, half asleep she let out a long sigh. Cirna glanced at the closed door again, taking her husband's hand in her own. She spoke softly.

"I think we should let her stay here."

Anrin said up quickly but Cirna but off what he was about to say.

"Please, Anrin, just as long as she wants. She probably won't like us and move on soon."

Anrin shook his head.

"No, Cirna. No, I know where this will go. What if she stays? We can barely keep up with the taxes as it is!"

Cirna tugged on his arm.

"Come on, Anrin. You know we always wanted children but never could have any. Maybe God is blessing us through her.."

Anrin shook his free arm distractedly.

"But we had time for children back then, love. I don't know if I can fit it into the schedule..."

Both were silent for a long time. Cirna bit her lip, looking down at her hands.

"Then why did you rbing her in Anrin? Told me to warm her up and get her something to eat?"

Anrin looked down at his coffee and swished it around for a moment.

"Because she would have freezed out there if she hadn't gotten shelter." he muttered.

Cirna rubbed her hands together slowly.

"Then she will just freeze tomorrow night. Please, Anrin, we prayed for a child for so long, it wouldn't hurt to let her stay here for a couple of nights."

Anrin looked up at Cirna and almost smiled.

"A night or two then. That's all I'm saying for now. Besides, she proabably won't like me and move on soon."

Cirna chuckled softly.

"I think she likes you."

The child in the small back room had finally fallen asleep. Her tightly shut fists opened and she breathed slowly, lolled by the voices of the two bakers.

Learning and aspiring writer for God's glory,
- J.C.