“Theodore? Theo are you there?” My voice echoed down the halls after I had watched a familiar mop of hair bound out of the elevator and around the corner.

Silence followed my words. Worry crept into my chest. A small giggle floated to my ears, relieving the anxiety as my shoulders dropped and I let out a breath of air.

Theodore jumped out from behind the corner, “boo!” I feigned surprise as he grinned ear to ear and pulled my hand until we reached the apartment.

He opened the door to reveal our living space. It was basic, a couple of bedrooms, a bathroom, and half of a kitchen. Despite the small space, piles of junk rivaled the height of the walls. My brother effortlessly weaved between the mess and found his way to the couch.

My face couldn’t help but scrunch up at the smoke in the room. My mother was a believer in chakra, fortunes, meditation, even horoscopes. She always had several incense lit around the house, and they were all different scents, causing them to blend into a disgusting mix of mango, vanilla, coffee bean, and grass.

It was her mess that left us scared to breath, for fear that her collection might swallow us whole.

I could feel something wet touching the palm of my hand, but a quick glance showed the familiarity of a husky. Athena, our dog, was the family pet we found years ago after hitting her with the car.

I turned my attention back to my brother and joined him on the couch, pulling homework from my bag and observing as he did the same, calling Athena to his lap.

At his awkward size of six, she seemingly covered most his body, so she only laid her head on one of his knees and the rest of her body sat between us. In one of Theo’s arms was a sheet of math homework and the other a cheetah stuffed animal.

Its name was “Tigger,” as he originally thought the toy was a tiger. He brought it with him everywhere, clinging to its familiar scent of our apartment which he deemed comforting.

“Where do you think mom is?” Theo mumbled. I glanced at the time before trying to remember the date.

“Probably talking to her ‘coach.’” I said with air quotes. He nodded, turning his focus back to the homework he struggled with.

My mom’s coach was a man who made his living taking advantage of those who would listen. My mother was a broken woman who’d believe anyone who gave her hope of a better future, or at least one with more alcohol in it.

She worked just enough to cover the rent, utilities, and her cell phone bill. I suppose I should be grateful she helps at all, but once I turned 16, all the bills she didn’t want to foot, like food, fell on me.

Out in the hall, I heard yelling as two of our neighbors began arguing, per usual, about a plant between the apartments. The yelling soon alerted one of their chihuahuas, who would answer by barking until the arguing subsided. My brother covered his ears with a wince, so I pulled him closer to me as Athena growled softly.

(::::)

I woke at 6 am every day to ready Theodore for school, a task that seemed much easier than it was. Once Athena was taken care of, a quick walk before a bowl of food, Theo was my priority, and then myself.

Our room was as simple as it could be, with two mattresses on the floor and a used dresser between them, giving room for our clothes. A window sat above the dresser, allowing the frigid November air to creep in. The cold of the wooden floor chilled my feet as Theo slept.

His chocolate-colored hair was swept over his eyes and sweat beaded his forehead as he clutched Tigger. I gently pushed the hair from his eyes and focused on my daily routine.

His drawers were empty of clothing, besides a t-shirt two sizes too small and pants with a rip down the side. I sighed before grabbing clothes from our dirty pile and running a bath to wash them in.

The machines in our building cost fifty cents a load for washing and fifty cents for drying. Ignoring the costs of washing clothes for a 6-year-old with boundless energy and a love for messes, the inconvenience of making time to watch the clothes so they weren’t stolen was significant.

After I got him an outfit, it was laid in front of the air conditioner in our window that worked just well enough to dry his clothing in time. The stupid thing was really only good for keeping me up at night as it sputtered and clicked. While the clothes dried, I turned to deal with the little monster that was still asleep.

I sat on the edge of his bed and shook him gently until he was awake. He turned and cracked open one eye before he caught sight of me, then he quickly closed it as a small smile lightened up his face. I playfully sighed, “Well, I guess he won’t wake up. Who will go to school in his place? Maybe Tigger?”

He giggled and shuffled under his covers, so I quietly stood up and waited about 10 seconds, then quickly ripped the blankets off the bed, leaving him squealing in laughter. “C’mon bud, I got clothes and your stuff collected.” He went to get dressed as I searched for my school bag.

“Can I bring Tigger to school?” He asked, pushing his bottom lip out and widening his eyes. I stared into his eyes long and hard, until slowly the puppy look was replaced with confused fear. I tried to keep the smile off of my face.

Athena stood by the bed waiting, her head tilted sideways. Theo took a step back and I attacked. I began to tickle him as he rolled around on the floor, trying to escape. The apartment below began beating on their ceiling, so we quickly scrambled apart. “Of course, Tigger can go, he needs to learn too, right?” I answered. He giggled and nodded, stuffing Tigger into his bag.

I went into the kitchen and used the last of the cereal as a breakfast for Theo. I didn’t get paid for two more days so I had to find something for him to eat for breakfast tomorrow. I could go without it just fine.

I walked back to our room and stepped over a pile of rat droppings and old magazines on the way. I handed the cereal to Theo, who scarfed it down. “Ready to go to school?” I asked, leading him out the front door and locking it behind us.

“Yeah, but why do I have to walk?” He whined, “All the other kids get to ride bikes or the bus, some parents even drive!” He stomped his foot at the end of his sentence, and I gave him a stern look.

“Well, the bus doesn't come to our building. But how about if you do good in school, we will ask Santa to bring you a bike?” I suggested. He eagerly nodded, and his face glowed the entire walk to his school. I brought Athena along with me while I dropped off Theo, so she can stretch and use the restroom one last time before I’m gone all day.

On the way back from his school, I had to wonder how I would get Theo a bike. I couldn’t get more library hours because I didn’t trust my mother to watch Theo, we didn’t have a giving tree anymore at our school, and there was no way mom would give me any money.

(::::)

    My school was just a little bit further than Theo’s. His elementary school was a 10-minute walk, but the high school was 20. Our apartment was close enough that the school charged for the bus to stop there. Personally, I’d rather not sit on the sweaty, body odor ridden bus while everyone whispers about who said this or who did that.

About three minutes from the school, Ely, my best and only close friend, would join me. He knew everything about me, except what my home life was like. I paused for a brief second at our usual meeting place. He was a few blocks away, on a higher end street, taking his sweet time to walk. I whistled a small tune to myself and soon enough he caught up. “Hey, what’s up?” I asked. A grin lit up his face.

“My mother finally left! After months of her living with me, she finally left!” He said, pumping his fist in the air and jumping excitedly. Ely’s mom and dad are rarely home, around 15, his parents started traveling more and more for work. His mom was injured a few months back, and she had to halt her work while he waited on her, hand and foot.

“So where is she headed now?” I asked, perking my head up with curiosity.

“Somewhere in Ohio, some camp wants money and she wanted to check it out.” He replied, disinterested. I nodded to myself.

“Theo brought Tigger to school; it was so adorable.”  I shared with a smile. Ely paused for a moment.

“Isn’t it his birthday next month or something?” A confused look clouded his features.

I shook my head and let out an exasperated sigh. “Christmas is next month.”

He shook his head in thought. We don’t really celebrate Christmas, because we’re not religious or anything, but I try to get Theo something so he doesn’t feel left out at school.

“Oh.” Ely sounded disappointed. We reached the front of our school and I hesitated before entering. For whatever reason, there was a pit in my stomach as tension rose in my body. I rolled my eyes and pushed myself forward.

Our school was an average 9th-12th grade high school. I was in 12th grade with Ely. I'm 17 but he was a year older, as he got held back his freshman year. Ely had straight black hair that was long enough to touch his brows. Bright green eyes that demanded attention adorned his face with a slightly crooked nose from a fight he got in in his sophomore year. He often forgets holidays, as all he gets is a postcard from his parents and the next month's allowance. 

He was my best friend and had gotten me through the past several years of high school and kept me from dropping out. We had three other friends, C.J., Angelo, and Delilah, all seniors, enjoying our last year of high school before we escaped.

As we entered the school, our eyes shifted between the kids spread out everywhere. Different and obvious friend groups collected at all different lockers, each telling a different story and sharing gossip. While Ely and I walked towards our first classes, our friends joined us.

Angelo is 15 because he skipped a couple grades. His mother is Hispanic, and he shared her thick accent. He went through a vicious legal battle last year, and his mother won due to a scandalous plot on the father's part.

Delilah, while I don’t like her very much, is fun to be around. She always has the answers to the homework, and always has a joke to brighten your day. Delilah is Greek, having moved to Chicago when she was 3. She is loaded, her dad being a lawyer, and her mother a model. You can see where the money comes from.

Last is CJ, he’s not the brightest, but he has a lot of heart. He brought us cookies every day because he loved to bake. He lived with his mom, who worked as a nurse at the local hospital to give him everything he wanted or needed.

CJ started handing out the small baked goods and I gladly took one as Delilah shared the latest gossip. “So, Jack and Kel broke up, Brittany’s mom went bankrupt, Heather’s dad bought her a Cadillac, and someone got in the school’s newspaper...” She practically sings the last part as she dangles a newspaper in my face.

I took the paper from her and leafed through until I saw 3rd page. One of my drawings was being featured for the “Monthly Art Show.” The art teacher chose the best piece of artwork to preview for a month. Normally I don’t have time to try, so I turn in so-so work, but I couldn’t resist taking some time to do this project.

We had to draw an Alebrije, which is a traditional guide animal in the afterlife in Mexican culture. Alebrije are most commonly associated with Día De Los Muertos, or Day of The Dead. The Alebrije I drew was a cheetah, and it was supposed to be a Christmas gift for Theo, but now he wants a bike.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Ely snatched the paper from my hands and stared at the drawing. He handed it back and grinned.  “Looks like it could come to life.” I grinned at him and felt my face heat up, so I ducked into my first period as they continued walking.

(:::::)

The last period of the day was my government class, and Ely and I tended to mess around the entire time. The teacher was an old man who was so close to retirement the school couldn’t fire him and each class was filled with his bored voice lecturing the same subject day after day.

The bell rang and we filed out of the classroom. Ely looped his arm through mine as we walked through the halls and out of the front of the building, where we saw a large crowd gathered around one of the light posts.

The sound of sobbing reached my ears as Ely brought me over to them, pushing through the group despite my protests. The sight I saw made me sick to my stomach.

“What's wrong?”

“Are you ok?”

“Do you need help?”

“Who brought you here?”

"Where are your parents?” Five different voices bombarded the small figure in the center as he panicked. I recognized Theodore with a wrenching feeling in my gut, and the second he saw me he ran straight into my arms.

His arms squeezed my waist reassuringly. I turned to yell at them for harassing him, but they all glanced around confused, refusing to make eye contact. They blinked and wiped their eyes and turned to each other with a ‘did you just see that’ expression. But everyone walked away and left us alone and that was good enough for me.

I didn’t release Theo as I pushed him away from the school, not understanding why everyone had turned away, not stopping to think about it, just trying to get him somewhere safe.

“Wow, must be something in the air.” Ely said, still by the light post and surrounded by my confused peers, grinning as if he had cracked a joke. The people in the crowd nervously laughed, but no one questioned us. They walked past without sparing a glace.

I noticed as we left that Ely walked several feet away from us, trying to keep up but acting as if he was drunk. My brows bent in confusion as I studied the look of pride on his face.

“Why are you so far away?” I asked. Ely now looked directly at me after his eyes searched for a moment like he couldn’t see me before.

“Oh, sorry.” he muttered, though the smile didn’t drop from his face.

“Why are you here Theo?” I asked the little 5-year-old snuggled in my arms as we walked. He sniffled.

"N-no one picked, picked me u-up. I-I came here like you told me to.” He wiped his nose as he sniffled. I nodded and Ely sent me a questioning glance. I wrapped my arms around Theo tightly and we continued walking towards our house.

“So, Ely, how was your day?” I asked.

(:::::)

Ely and Theo had never actually met before, but they hit it off on the way home. Ely even seemed reluctant to go when his time came.

Theo and I walked the rest of the way, but I could feel the anxiety like a weight on my chest. What were we going home to? What would we find? Why hadn’t my mother picked Theo up from school?

The apartment was settled by an eerie quiet. I carefully opened the door and pulled Theo inside, pushing him into the kitchen to hide. He crawled into an empty cupboard while I shuffled forward and around the messes in the floor towards the lion’s den. My mother’s door creaked as it opened.

    Athena stood guard behind me, giving me the reassurance to enter. I gaped at the mess that had accumulated in my mother’s room. Piles and piles of whatever she could find were stacked to the ceiling and I had a hard time reaching her bed. She was passed out; arms sprawled out at her side and drool dripping from her mouth. Her phone was charging, and my body jumped as her alarm went off. My mom twitched but didn’t wake up. Her alarm has been going periodically for over an hour and she just ignored it.

The scent of alcohol burned my nose as I realized she was wasted. Anger shot through me, hot like a fire, and before I could think I was violently shaking her shoulders. Her body was limp before she shot up, eyes wide and crazy, before settling on me with a glare. Her hands curled into fists. She wiped the sleep out of her eyes and stood. “What?” her voice was rough and crackling.

“You didn’t pick up Theo.” My voice was sharp as it cut through the room, echoing off the junk.

“Sooo what He got home diiidn’t he?” She slurred out as she took a step forward and wobbled.

“He could have been kidnapped, or hurt, or killed!” 

“But he wasssssn’t. So! Leave me alone. Go... go play with Miles.” She replied. She flopped backwards on the bed, resuming her earlier position, arms outstretched. Whenever she got like this, drunk or high depending on the day, she blabbed on about a Miles or a Marcus. We had no idea who they were.

“Go back to bed. Now” I demanded, sticking a finger in her face.  She laughed, an ugly, hoarse sound that ended with a crack in her throat.

“What, are you MY mother now? That-that isn’t how this works. G-get out.” she slurred again. There was no reasoning with her, she’d never see the effect she had on us.

I left her room, unintentionally slamming the door behind me, and found Theo laid out on the couch. I walked over and practically threw myself down beside him.

From there I turned to look at the stove to check the time. “Hey buddy, I’ve got work, should I call out so you’re not home alone with mommy?” I asked him. He glanced nervously at her door before he shook his head.

“No, it’s okay. I know who to call just in case.” he stated as he nodded towards the little phone I was able to get for free due to a government program. It was cheap and barely worked but it was only for emergencies.

"Are you doing homework?” I asked him. He nodded and began rifling through his binder to show me the pages.

“I have to do this math. Then read 20 minutes.” he said, the biggest grin lighting up his face. He loved school and was very bright. He had hordes of friends he always talked about, and the teachers sung his praises.

“What kind of math is it?” I asked. He paused; lines of confusion creased his forehead as he tried to remember.

“Add-addition?” He tried to say. I giggled and went to grab my name tag from our room.

“Alright buddy, I'll only be gone a few hours, ok? Then I'll be here, and we can play a board game. I’m sure there’s something around here.” I suggested. He absently nodded, only focused on the work before him.

I made sure the phone was charged, some snacks were in the fridge, and the door was locked before I took off to the library.

A few short minutes later I reached the library building. It was brick, with tall windows on one side and a low reaching roof on the other. I’ve worked here since I first turned fourteen, meaning I had a pretty good relationship with the head librarian. The inside was full of tall shelves overflowing with books, mostly damaged, and a large area was devoted to tables and chairs for studying and visitors.

I clocked in and grabbed the cart of newly returned books. “Check them for additional damage, those were the night returns.” My boss, Janet, yelled from the back room. I nodded in response and wheeled the cart towards the first row of shelves.

As I placed the books on their respective shelves two young men, probably in their late teens, seemingly stared at me from across the room. I kept my distance, only sending a nervous glance every few minutes. An hour ticked by, then another. The boys didn’t leave their seats once, only made casual conversation, and checked their phones a few times. I dismissed it as them needing a place to hang out until they could meet up with someone.

I finished the first cart, only finding one or two damaged books, and went for the second cart. It had new releases that still needed barcodes and to be put in the system. I busied myself behind the counter and lost focus of time and the two men as I worked.

After about an hour and a half I felt a cold hand touch my elbow. I jumped, swinging my arm at whoever came close. Janet side stepped rather quickly, narrowly avoiding my arm hitting her.

“Woah- sorry Rain, I just wanted to make sure you knew there are two guys over there that have been staring at you for hours.” She explained as she gestured to them. I looked over to see that they were indeed still staring, only now they had some fast food displayed on the table.

“I don’t know who they are, but they were here before I was.” I muttered, sliding the last book of the row back onto the cart. I pushed it out from behind the counter and she followed.

“Do you need me to walk you out?” She offered. I shook my head, sizing them up and deciding they were probably harmless. Either way I tended to keep a knife on me, I should be just fine.

“I only live a few minutes away; I should be alright.” I explained. She sighed and sent a ruthless glare back at the guys. They blushed and looked downwards.

“No one messes with my employees, especially not my favorite.” She grinned, tapped me on the shoulder, and grabbed the cart I had nearly finished. “You go on and go home, I'll hold them off for a few minutes if they try and follow.” She proposed, pushing me towards the door.

I thanked her and clocked out before heading out the back door. The lights outside dimmed, barely lighting the alley. I headed around the front of the building and gripped the small pocketknife in my sweater.

I walked about three minutes before there was a disturbance behind me. I nearly fell as I spun around, ready to defend myself. The two guys stood there, one looking a little drained and the other ready to puke.

“How the hell did you catch up to me?” I groaned. The two glanced at each other and I tried to get a good look at them.

The tired looking one had short black hair in twists and a cut on his forehead. Even from a distance and in low light I could see sweat dripping down his dark skin. He had near perfect teeth that really bugged me to be honest.

The sick one had longer, shoulder length brown hair, now being held back behind his head as he retched over a sewer. When he looked up, I could see his already pale complexion was starch white and he looked ready to pass out. A black bookbag fell sideways across his back and almost made him lose his balance.

“You’re Rain, right?” The teeth dude asked. I glanced behind me to see if I had a clear path to run. “Look we weren’t supposed to meet you this soon, but this idiot over here chose the worst place to keep an eye on you- I mean not keep an eye on you like that, I mean to um... I’m gonna stop talking now.” He rubbed the back of his neck and turned to the sick guy and shrugged.

“Jeez you’re clueless.” Sick guy muttered before he wiped his mouth on the bottom of his shirt and reached a hand towards me. “Hi, I’m Jax, nice to meet you.” He introduced himself with a sloppy, sideways, grin.

I pulled out my knife and flipped the blade out. “Back up.” I growled. Jax’s eyes widened and he turned to teeth.

“Can you believe this Casper? Girl pulled a knife on us!” He exclaimed as he gestured wildly towards me. So, teeth’s name was Casper.

“Okay I just said we’ve been watching her what did you expect?” Casper asked, raising a hand to his face to massage his temples.

I turned and ran as fast as I could from these crazy stalkers. I heard one step of footsteps behind me and nearly tripped as my feet moved faster with adrenaline. Then a body appeared before me and flew at me before I hit the ground.

I shoved them away from me, crawling backwards to escape. It was Casper, and he looked winded. “Jax seriously? You scared her away and I don’t have much energy left dude. We’ve been doing this all day!” He yelled angrily.

“Um, it may have been you both staring for a few hours and following me... not really his introduction?” I suggested. Why was I giving my attackers suggestions? I shouldn’t be helping these insane people.

“Look Rain... we just need to talk to you... explain a few things. We don’t wanna hurt you.” Jax panted as he finally caught up.

“Okay one you should’ve thought about that before you body slammed me?!” I yelled, glaring at Casper. He grinned sheepishly. “And two, how the hell did you get in front of me?” I stood up and brushed myself off. I winced when I saw I fell on my knife and cut my arm open.

So much for protection, I just hurt myself with it. “That’s a long story, are you hurt?” Casper asked, looking towards the growing red stain on my sleeve.

“None of your business, just let me walk away and I won’t tell anyone about this.” I grinded my teeth and my hands curled into fists. Jax punched Casper in the shoulder.

“See what you’ve done?” Jax cursed as he reached out for my arm.

“Oh hell no.” I spoke to myself, feeling around with my foot till I found my knife and picked it up. “Just let me go home, what the hell do you want?” I begged, taking a step back from Jax.

“We needed to explain some things to you, but E didn’t want us to yet, so we were keeping an eye on you and well now we’ve blown our cover.” Casper exasperated.

“Who is E?” I prodded. Jax sent his companion a warning glance.

“No one.” He quickly answered for his friend. I glared at them both suspiciously. “Okay um... you can go home... don’t tell anyone about this or we’ll find you.” He said before turning to Casper for approval.

“Okay seriously Jax, we’re threatening her now?” he deadpanned.

“What I don’t know why we even started talking to her!” Jax shouted back, throwing his hands into the air.

“Because you chose the worst hiding spot. Hide in plain sight? Really?” Casper shouted back.

“Hey so I'm gonna leave while you two... bicker...” I cut in.

“Whatever!” They both yelled at the same time before they continued arguing. I imagined them as an old married couple and took off before they could change their minds, taking several turns to make sure they weren’t following me.

(:::::)

After I got home, I made sure Theo was in bed, all the doors and windows were locked, and that everything was in order. The garbage piles had started to creep towards our room so once they were moved and the dishes were done, I did my homework and bandaged the cut on my arm. That was definitely the weirdest experience of my life, but also mildly terrifying.

I didn’t get much sleep that night, knife clutched in my hand as I refused to dose off in case they knew where I lived.

The next day I dropped Theo off and headed towards school. Ely was already at our spot which surprised me, as bad as he was with dates, he was worse with timing.

“You’re here early.” I questioned, raising my brows. Ely looked concerned, and his gaze fell on my bandaged arm.

“What happened?” He asked, grabbing for my hand. I evaded his reach and pulled my hoodie sleeve down farther.

“Some creeps attacked me last night on my way home from the library.” I answered honestly, and I could see the anger boiling in his eyes.

“They cut you?”

“Well no, I ran and one of them tackled me. I may have fallen on my knife and then they just let me leave.” I explained. He pulled out his phone and looked angrier than I've ever seen him.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Just mad you got hurt. Did you get any information or details from them?” He asked before he put his phone away.

“Their names were Casper and Jax, but I prefer to call them teeth and sick.” He chuckled and furrowed his brows.

“Why call them that?”

“Because Casper had annoyingly perfect teeth and Jax was sick to his stomach.”

Ely chuckled, putting an arm over my shoulder and pulling me against him.

“Are you sure you’re alright? Maybe you shouldn’t have a knife if you’re just gonna hurt yourself with it.”

I ignored his commentary and just nodded. The knife wasn’t my fault, just a small error. “I’m just worried they know where I live, they knew my name” I muttered.

“What? Rain- that’s not normal do you think we should involve the police?” He ran a hand through his hair, his facial features contorting with concern.

I assured him it wasn’t necessary and there would be no further issues, I could handle myself and they were just teenagers. I’d call the cops if necessary.

I think he bought the excuse, not questioning it. He couldn’t involve the police because if they found out about my mother then they might take Theo away, but I couldn’t tell him that. I just had to continue with my life and hope they didn’t come back.

I went to my first period, ignoring the anxiety bubbling in my chest and decided to just keep my head down and focus on work and taking care of Theodore.