chapter 3: What Would They Do To Me?
Chapter 3: What Would They Do To Me?
Jasmine
Night time always got cold and having ice cold water being poured down on me wasn't the best for this. I sat myself up and got off the blanket, throwing it over me as I laid down on the bare ground. I sobbed at the thought of me not being able to pay them tomorrow, it was a horrific thought. Were they going to hurt me or something? I didn't know and it petrified me.
I closed my eyes and started crying myself to sleep, hoping for a better day and some luck tomorrow.
My eyes fluttered open as the sun began to rise, the warmth of the sunlight radiating on my cold skin from underneath the blanket. I sat up with my hand passed against the floor so I could keep my body up, I yawned and quickly stretched, ready to start a new day. I pushed myself off the floor and stood up to my feet, walking over to the edge of the sidewalk. I walked for all the cars to pass before I ran over to the other side, back in front of the store. I opened the door, seeing Edwin was sweeping the floor. Once he heard the tiny bell on the rope of the door ring, he looked over to see it was just me.
“Good morning, Jasmine.” He greeted with a smile. I gave him a tiny smile back.
“Good morning, Edwin. Do you mind if I use your bathroom again?”
He looked down at my hand that contained both the toothbrush and toothpaste, looking back up at me.
“You know you don't need to ask me, go ahead, dear.”
“Thank you,” I replied, quietly, walking over to the bathroom of the store.
I opened the door and went inside, locking it behind me. I wasn't too fond of my bare feet touching the cold ties of the bathroom but I still didn't have any shoes, so I just had to deal with it. I turned on the sink and went to do my thing. I brushed my teeth and cupped my hand to put them under the running water, splashing it on my face. I filed it up again and put it into my mouth to wash everything out. I walked out of the bathroom and was heading towards the door before Edwin called out to me.
Jasmine, wait!” I turned around, seeing him speed walking to me with something in his hand. He handed it to me.
“Some more wipes in case you need them.”
“I…I don't have the money for it.” I whispered, trying not to make eye contact with him.
“It is free, I want you to have them.” I took it from him hesitantly.
“Thank you,” I murmured.
“You are welcome, dear. Have a good day.”
“You too.”
I turned around quickly and pushed the door open, exiting the store. I walked over to the edge of the road again, waiting for all the cars to pass. I waited for sometime before I was finally able to run back over to my spot. It was starting to get a bit colder, which I didn't expect since the sun has been coming out. I grabbed the pouch and opened it, putting the two items back inside and closed it again. I set the new pack of wipes down, picking up the old one I still have. I opened it and saw that I only had one left. The wipe already felt somewhat close to being dried up so I hurried up and started wiping my arms down with it. After I finished with that one, I set it down and opened the new pack, taking out another wipe for my leg.
There wasn't any place for me to take an actual shower around here, but there was at my old spot. I used to shower at the gym that was close by but then I had to move out of the area due to it being a dangerous environment. The store restroom only had the sink and toilet, so I couldn't shower there either. I sat down and grabbed my bowl, placing it in front of me. I was desperately hoping to get the fifty cents I needed to give to those guys before they came back tonight.
Flashbacks to yesterday started appearing in my head. I remembered the guy at the store, the incredibly handsome man and his eyes, I had never seen someone so beautiful and kind before. The compliment he had given me still lingered in my head. These streets were filled with many rich men, also good looking but there was just something about that guy that made me feel different. I snapped myself out of it and continued with the issue at hand. I need this money and I can't waste any time to get it. I was already short so many cents and I needed this money so I could just give it to Weldon.
About six hours have gone by now and I have gotten absolutely no luck. So far, I was short of forty cents. Fear hit me on what might happen to me if I didn't pay the money in time today, this had never happened before. Usually, I never had a problem paying them on time but for some reason, today was just different. I was starting to regret buying the food that I got yesterday, knowing that I could have used that. I had been so close to fifty cents for them, but I thought to myself. That was selfish.
I sighed, hoping that someone would just be kind enough to give me even a few cents before the day came to an end. What are they going to do to me if I don't pay up in time? Will they kill me, maybe beat me up again? Usually, they would only hit me and drag me around for fun, I was too weak to fight off any of them. My attempts to scream were never enough, it would only make them hurt me even more. The fear of having to wait and hope for the best was just the worst.
Is this going to be painful? What did they want from me?
Guess, I am about to find out soon if I don't gather enough money in time before night comes around.