I was never the one to talk. I only listened.

I was never the one in action. I only watched.

This all started after being abandoned by my most-likely dead mother. I was homeless for years, surrounded by human ignorance.

I was invisible. I was ignored.

I remember back to the days where I slept in a cardboard box. When I stole food from vendors to survive. Why did I want to stay alive? Because I felt there was something out there for me. A reason for me to live. Something I needed to experience.

Hope resided in me.

So I survived by bread pieces that were half eaten. I took leftover food from restaurants. I lived in alleyways, where no one could hear my cries or see my tears. I remember feeling my stomach growl every time I smelled food. Or the dirt on my body when I was pushed down by crowds of people. The fear when abandoned animals growled at me when I tried to have a bit of their food. The feeling of my unkempt hair filled with dirt and oil. The disgust I felt when men would grin at me when they saw me. Luckily I escaped all of those men without being harmed.

I remember the day I was saved.

Saved by a man named Erwin Smith. His piercing blue eyes and fluffy, clean blonde hair. The way his thick eyebrows rose when he saw me. I still remember that day, it feels fresh in my mind.

And I still cherish that day.

~past~

Crying.

Crying.

Crying.

That's all I did to pass time. When I wouldn't be stealing food; I'd cry. I can hear their mocking voices in my head. Their maniacal laughter and the kicks and punches they'd give me.

'Useless.'

'Crybaby.'

'Monster.'

My eyes widen in fear at the last name. My teeth chattered and I gripped my hair tighter, feeling as if I would rip it out. My chapped lips croak out, "M-mom."

Somehow, a man heard my cry. He cautiously walked into my alleyway and I curled up tighter against the corner of the dumpster. I had hoped the shadows would hide me from the stranger since I was too weak to fight back. But luck was not on my side as it never has. The man spotted me from the corner of his eyes. He turned to me and looked at my fetal position. He got a good look at my bruised, unhealthy body and my lifeless (E/c) eyes. My mouth was slightly open in shock as I stared at him.

His stone hard blue eyes bore into my dark soul. I stared back at him with my dull, (e/c) eyes. He crouched down in front of me and lifted a hand. His hand almost looked like my father's, so I reached my hand out just slightly but quickly yanked it back. I scolded myself for the mistake and cowered even more into the dumpster. It's smelly, cold metal surprisingly kept me calm. The rust grazed my skin as I tried to sink myself into the corner.

After observing me for what seemed like hours, but only a few mere minutes, his eyes softened and a sad smile rose on his face.

"Hello, little one..." His deep voice spoke. I let out a squeak, not expecting him to talk. I saw his sad smile. He pitied me.

Well, he didn't know how long I was it here. How long I've suffered. How long I haven't cleaned myself or ate. I just stared him down as he bit his lip and looked at the entrance of the alleyway. He turned back to me and cleared his throat.

"My name is Erwin Smith. I'd like to...you know....uhm....take you in? Not to the police though but like...with me? You need a home, right?" He stumbled on his words.

Clearly, he didn't know how to talk to children.

I shook my head no and glared at him. He was probably just going to use me and throw me away just like my mother. He pleaded and tried to persuade me. Nothing worked.

"Please."

My head shook no, mutely.

"Pretty please."

Another shook.

"I have a home just for you and a job as well."

My head was about to shake no until it froze. My ears perked up at the word 'job.' My curiosity got the best of me. I would like to know what this job is and why it's so special.

"Ah, you're interested in a job." He stated. I hesitated but nodded slowly.

"What's a little girl, like you, doing looking for a job?" He asked. I gulped and bit my colorless lips. I didn't speak, I just looked to the side.

"Tell you what, how about I talk about it in my car. We'll drive to HQ and during the ride, I'll explain the details." He suggested. I was confused. 'HQ? Who exactly is this guy???'

I looked at him, horrified at the new information I had heard. Not realizing what he said he looked at my terrified face. 'Was he a murderer? Does he kill people for a living? He looks unnaturally wealthy...does a killer earn a lot?'

Lost in my thoughts, I didn't realize that he picked me up bridal style. I stared at the ground that was getting farther and farther by each millisecond. Processing what he was doing, I screamed and thrashed around in his arms. He nearly dropped me, surprised at my reaction.

"Wait! Oh gosh, I'm really sorry! Please don't panic!!!" He tried to soothe me. I thrashed, even more, being in this stranger's arms scared me. I didn't want any connections. I didn't need anyone right now. Especially him!!! I kept wiggling and slapped him in the face and head. He dropped me to cradle his red cheek. I stumbled to my feet and tried to escape the alley. I threw things in his path without tripping over them. I used my petite figure to slide through small openings and dodge his flailing arms. I circled around the neighborhood back to the alleyway without me knowing and I soon found myself trapped between him and a car. A sleek black car with tinted windows. I gulp and shook my head profusely at his hands that were nearing me. I shut my eyes and looked to the side, ready for the abuse that was oh so familiar to me.

Instead, I felt a pat on my head. I slowly open my (E/c) eyes and stared at the panting man in front of me. Through all the chasing and pain he...smiled.

He smiled at me with kindness in his eyes and small wrinkles in the corner of his eyes, signifying that he was aging. I stared at him while my hands fiddled with each other in nervousness. They dropped as I saw the amusement and kindness in his eyes.

"You run...pretty fast...little one...graceful...too!" He said in between pants. My eyes were wide in surprise at the compliment.

"W-what do you want from me? Why are you chasing me?" I exclaim. I wanted answers. And I wanted them now. He looked surprised at my sudden voice. I hadn't spoken to him until now.

"Oh, so you do speak. I thought you were mute." He mused. I kept my stoic face and stared at him expectantly. He looked around suspiciously.

"There might be spies around here. I'd rather not speak out in the open." He said as he opened the passenger seat to the sleek, matte black car. I cautiously entered, keeping an eye on Smith from the corner of my eye.

He closed the door gently but firmly and jogged to the other side of the car. He entered the driver's seat and started the ignition. The car roared to life and I oddly loved the rumbling of the motor.

This car peaked my interest. "Umm...what car is this...?" I ask quietly. His ears perked up a bit and a small smile rose on his face.

"A Mercedes. Been with me since the beginning." He said proudly. I stared at the polished leather seats and the darkened windows. 'The beginning of what?'

"Why are the windows darker?" I ask as I squinted to see through the glass. All I saw was the blur of passing buildings and people.

"Good eye, my co-workers don't notice. It's bulletproof glass." He mused. My eye twitched a bit but I ignored it. We were traveling past the capital, Mitras. The "King" lived here in a fake castle. He tried to recreate the Victorian Era with; kings, queens, nobles, and of course, indigent people. I was one of them. Frankly, I didn't understand the "King's" ideas and why he would create such a place in a modern era. Nonetheless, I still admired the city lights and the happy families. That made me wonder...

"What are you doing in such a place? Surely you weren't just out here to look for me." I asked Smith with narrowed eyes. He kept his eyes on the road and kept that aggravating smile on his face.

"Well, I was over there for a business meeting. Something happened and I went home early. Unfortunately, I parked my car too far from the place and I had to walk, that's when I heard your cries." He said. It bothered me how vague he was being. I nodded and leaned against the window. I felt the rumbling of the tires rolling on the bumpy street, making me slightly dizzy.

"I didn't quite catch your name, little one." He said. I lifted my head slightly and narrowed my eyes at him.

"And why should I tell you my name? For all I know, you could be a pedophile waiting for me to lower my guard." I snapped. He looked at me surprised, eyes wide and mouth agape. As he stared at me, his gaze was focused on me and not the rode. Suddenly, the future flashes before my (E/c) eyes. My eyes turned into a pale blue once again. When I came back to reality I couldn't control it and blurted out, "Watch out!"

My tiny hands pushed the wheel towards me, turning the car abruptly and quickly. We almost did a full 360-degree turn if it weren't for Erwin who braked as the car came to a stop. I could hear the screeching of the tires, rubber burning against cement. My head almost hit the passenger window if it weren't for my quick hands. A white truck zoomed past Erwin, swaying from side to side on the road. Clearly, the driver was drunk and decided to make a stupid choice of driving. We were gasping for air as police cars zoomed past us, their horns blaring the annoying sound that rings throughout the whole city. A police car stopped in front of us to ask if we were okay.

"Are you guys alright? I witnessed everything. How'd you know he would be there?" The police officer asked. Before Erwin could speak, I already answered his question.

"I saw him from the corner of my eyes, luckily I turned the car to not crash into him." Erwin glanced back at me with confused eyes. The officer believed me and bid us a farewell.

"Oh sir, I'd like to remind you that children aren't allowed in the front seat!" The officer reminded. We nodded and I moved to the back. Buckling up, we said bye to the officer and went on our way.

Erwin looked at me from the rearview mirror with suspicious and confused eyes. Sighing, I looked out the window, leaning on my hand that rested on the window sill. "If you have something to say then say it."

"We were too far from the corner for you to just "see him from the corner of my eyes." He quoted me.

He caught me.

It's all over now.

My hope for a fresh start was now crushed before my eyes.

I gulped and became flustered. "Please don't freak out when I say this..." I decided my fate. If I was going to be rejected then let it be now. Hopefully, I'm not far from my alley.

"I'll listen to whatever you have to say." He said in a different tone. It wasn't his usual happy, soft tone. It was more serious and authoritative. I gulped again, feeling bile rise up in my throat at the thought of how he will react.

"I-I can..." I paused. Should I do this? I started to question my actions and quickly thought of the pros and cons of telling him. Never mind, it must be now or never.

"I can see the future."

-----

A/n: Hello readers! The second chapter of this story and I am so excited to see how this book will turn out. What do you think of this chapter?

What will Erwin think of (y/n) now?

How will he react?

Find out in the next one!

Hope you enjoyed! Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

Published: August 10, 2016
Edited ✔️