Chapter 1

I was probably late for work, by the time I woke up it was already late around 7:30am while I need to be at the Roy's cafe restaurant where I work by 7:00am. Shit! I'm such a fool.

I rushed to have a quick shower, dressed as fast as I could and came running down my apartment which I have rented a room and pay each month located in Thornton Park Central.

I gave my room key to the security and quickly stopped a cab the moment I reached outside and got in.

He drove very fast to the Roy's restaurant, my destination at the spring lake, Orlando.

I was employed three months ago after my parents passed away. I had to move on and get something doing. I didn’t want to take over my father’s company, sitting in office all day and traveling around for business which is not my thing.

I preferred somewhere I’d be busy where I won’t think of the past and try to cope being a misanthropist people see me as.

I am so good at cooking and when I asked for employment, I was given a test and it was prefect, I happen to be so good at whatever dish I was asked to cook, not bragging but I was better than those who have been working there.

The moment we arrived, I came down immediately not letting the car stop and passed him a dollar and asked him to keep the change as I rushed inside.

The moment I opened up the door, the bell hanging around it rang and Michael my co-worker turned from the table he was serving and said to me.

"Coming late again bro! You sure don't want to go on a suspension right?" I felt cold inside but deep down, I need this part time job to earn a living. I rolled my eyes at him surpassing a sigh.

"If that's what takes you for sleeping late at night right?" I answered with a shrug taking off my jacket, hanging it on the hanger and walking into the kitchen then tied my apron.

"Why coming late, Seth? Did you over sleep today?" Rebecca asked too serving a table some hot tea. Why do they make me feel like I always come late? "Come on guys its only today." I cried.

"Whatever Seth, just start your work" she says rolling her eyes, i just nodded and headed to the gas to start some chefs work.

I worked real hard throughout today and I really enjoyed the fact that the customers really loved my dish. I never knew it was getting late already and I needed to get home before the night cold descends on earth from the heavens.

Just as I feared, it was really cold out here, it caught me. I branched to a small shop by the side of the road to buy some milk and Somethings I'm lacking at my apartment. I do love peanut butter and then on the selves it was the last.

I stretched out my hand to take it from the shelf and just then I realised I wasn't the only one holding it. I was surprised and turned to my right to see a young lady with cinnamon hair covered in a blue parka. It wasn't possible she touched it before me.

"Sorry." I calmly removed my hand and allowed her take it. She nodded shoving it into the shopping basket she holds. "Thank you. It’s probably the last one." She said. Her voice hit me, like some lullaby. The last time I heard such kind of voice was when I was a kid.

"No, it doesn't matter. One has to let it go you know" I answered rubbing the back of my hair trying to act cool but deep down, i really needed that butter. It’s more like my life ever since I was a kid.

I watch her nod with a welcoming smile before she turns and walks away.

I sighed before deciding to look for something different since I lost the half of my life, maybe till next time. I got some other food stuffs like, vegetable, fat and oli, fruits, apple and orange with some noodles, i went to pay of and waited for my package before i headed home.

The moment I reached my apartment, I was given my keys and immediately with the stress of work which was unbearable, I went upstairs opened the door to my room, and the next thing I felt was me dropping down on my couch staring up at the celling wondering what kind of life I was living in.

Before i gradually started to shut down, all i could see was darkness,

I then found myself running endlessly for God’s sake in the woods and then I came across three people who stood and watched me run.

I froze the moment I came closer and looked closely at them. It was my father, mother and my younger sister. I quickly jerked from my sleep rolling off the couch and hitting my head on the tiles. "Ouch my head" I cried rubbing the spot I had hit. My eyes then caught the family picture on my glass table beside my TV. The smile on my sister’s face was like a healing to my pain.

I had lost my family few years ago to a road accident; I was part of it but survived with a minor injury - a cut by the front glass on my shoulder. Meanwhile, my sister flew from the back seat and hit the front glass. My Mum and Dad died through the suffocation of the airbags.

The accident was caused by a huge water thriller, which tried to overtake a small car, and eventually, my father who was driving tried to avoid being hit but unknowingly to him, there was a car behind, brushing the car, our car tumbled and so they all died.

I stayed with my Nice and lovely Grandmother until she passed away few years ago. I couldn't stay where I've lost them because I felt I should move on without thinking about those I have lost. So, I decided to rent an apartment far from the town we lived in with the money to feed myself and avoid humans.

People don't really talk to me because I mind my business, do my work and leave. I don't just care about the world right now because I see it more like a virtual world.

I didn't noticed I have arrived to the restaurant ‘cause today I woke up early so I didn't bother stopping a cab, I believed I'd reach on time and so did I.

"Morning Seth, how was your night?" I was greeted by Rebecca immediately I entered.

"It was great, thank you" I answered with a weak smile and walked pass her to the kitchen but before I walked out. I saw her expression after I smiled at her. I wasn't feeling well either; I wish I was never alive to feel this pain.

"Seth? Is something bothering you?" She asked following me inside. "I'm fine, Rebecca I think because I wasn't having enough sleep lately." I lied with the same weird smile.

"Rebecca let that crock alone. He's just being sick!" Michael said walking pass us. Indeed Michael had never liked me since I was moved to his post in cooking. He wasn’t good then and even now and even when I first came Rebecca and the manager were the only ones who welcomed me warmly.

"Shut up Michael! You don't know anything!" She yells at him angrily.

"Hey you should believe him. I feel sick and I would like to be left alone to work okay?" I said as I watched her nod before leaving. I released a sigh before I started my yummy dish to my customers.

*****

Time skipped and i was ready to go so I left without a goodnight to anyone. i was feeling so dizzy!

Just what in the world is wrong with me? I was starving and I needed to get something to eat. I strolled up to my all active shop to get something eatable.

Like always, peanut butter was always scarce and I wandered why.

My direction changed and i moved over to get some snacks. I started hearing an old man groan from the other side probably behind the snacks shelves.

The next I heard a lady yelp falling to the ground. "You will pay for what you said" the man yells. I don't actually put myself into this but whatever the man I was doing, he might be drunk or crazy. It’s not my business so I'm not going to check it out.

Picking up my crunchy chips, I walked over to pay but noticed she wasn't there either. I turned around but no one was there. What in the world is going on? Why will they gather without even helping but to watch? I sighed in disgust and walked over to them.

There was this old looking man yelling at a young lady who sits on the ground covered by her cinnamon hair. I could tell I saw it somewhere. Whatever it was, she must have done something wrong to this man.

Everyone kept watching and no one stopped him. "What's going on here?" I asked walking up to the gathering and stood beside the man. "Old man, what has this young lady do to you?" I asked but he sent me a warning glare probably asking what my business is.

"My business isn't here. But just cut the shit off and let everyone disappear"

"Well I didn't call them" he spat arrogantly.

"But you distracted them" I said. "This young lady has to pay the price of speaking rudely." He yells pointing at her but she didn't raise her head.

"So what's the price she's going to pay?"

"She's going to….."

"……apologize." I cut in immediately because what crossed over my mind made me think as rough as he was. He wanted to get her sleep the night with him which was bad. He turned to look at me with a dead glare but it didn't flinch me.

"Lady, apologize to him" I said to her. She nodded without looking at me and apologized. "I'm sorry" it took me back, I have heard that voice before which sounded like a lullaby but..... Yes I remember yesterday at the peanut butter arena.

"Now then, you may let her go." I said pointing at the exit for the man, he rushed to me grabbing me by my coat collar trying to pick a fight but I didn't play back. "I know right what you want to do with this lady, but she doesn't seem like those who want to give in. I'm not picking a fight with you but let me be" I said calmly to his face, he gritted his teeth like someone who wanted to turn into a wolf then pushed me out of the way walking out.

I sighed and turned to go when others where leaving but she stopped me. "Thank you" she appreciated. I don't think I deserve any of those things. It was just a minor help, beside I only poke in to end the gathering and let me go home.

"Go home" I said walking to the cashier but I felt her standing and rushing up to me. "I can't probably go home alone, what if he chases me and no one to run to?" She asked raising her face holding a pity face.

Her penny brown eyes, cinnamon shoulder length curly hair, her soft looking skin. She's indeed beautiful. Her eyes sparkles filing up with tears.

Indeed, if I let her go on her own, she would be followed. "Fine, wait for me outside" I said watching her grin happily running out side while I go pay for my chips.

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