It was beyond noon when her eyes fluttered open. With an aching body, she lifted herself off the dirty floor.
Just as she straightened her back, a sense of hunger invaded her mind.
Damn it, what a way to start the day.
She examined surroundings to find whatever garbage she could stuff in belly and thus free herself from its influence. That was when her eyes landed on a skinny boy who was sitting on the dirty ground with a familiar expression etched on his face.
That expression, that feeling, she knew it too well to not recognize it. For she once upon a time wore the same expression and felt the same emotions the boy was experiencing. The expression which one makes when they are robbed off someone they cherished. The emotion that permeates one's heart when they are stripped off something they treasured dearly.
The sense of lose, the sense of emptiness and the sense of loneliness. She wondered what the boy had experienced to have such an expression engrave on his face.
Whatever, it is probably none of my business.
In such a cursed place as the outskirts, everyone had a cross to bear. The sufferings of the boy were just like a tear drop that was swallowed by the vast ocean.
As she was about to continue her search, her eyes landed on the dirty bag the boy was carrying.
Looks like I have hit the jackpot.
With the friendliest voice she could manage, she called out. "Hey kid, are you lost?"
The boy turned his head to face her direction. "I might as well be."
She took the opportunity to examine the boy. He possessed dirty black hairs and a pale skin that was barely concealed by the ragged clothes the poor boy wore.
Despite the fact that the boy was sitting down, she could guess that he was less than 1.8 meters in terms of height.
That was when I noticed his dead eyes that seemed to be set on her. The eyes seemed to stare at nothingness and yet she could not shake off the feeling that they were staring right at her.
The situation was so bizarre and creepy that she could not stop herself from letting out an involuntary yelp and falling on the ground.
As she picked herself up, she could not stop myself from asking. "Kid what is wrong with your eyes?"
The boy tilted his head. "Isn't it obvious?"
Her mouth twitched with displeasure. "I will tell you what is obvious alright, it is you staring at me with those creepy eyes of yours."
"Sorry about that." The boy shook his head and turned his creepy gaze ahead. "As for what is wrong with my eyes, I am blind dear lady."
She couldn't stop myself from laughing. With a shocked expression, she inquired. "Di-Did you just call me dear lady?"
The boy seemed to be confused by the question."Yes, I did."
And just like that another wave of laughter left her mouth. "That is the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me. Kid, I think you should be proud because that list also includes my parents"
The boy seemed to be stunned by her comment and remained silent.
Damn it, Bella. Think first before you speak.
She pretended that she said nothing wrong. "Kid, you just earned yourself a boon."
The boy scratched his head. "And what should I use the boon for?"
She stared at the boy with a wild expression and sighed dejectedly. "Kids these days seem to have become even more stupid. My name dummy, you could ask for my name."
Despite the boy facing forward, she noticed a hint of shame from the side of his face. "And what is your name?"
In a casual tone she replied. "Finally, I am Isabella but I prefer Bella. And you?"
"My name is Duncan." The boy's voice seemed weak.
"Okay Danny, what are you doing here?"
Danny seemed to tense a little and then his body relaxed."I was just resting before I head out into the mid section."
She briefly spared a glance at her surroundings and then shifted her gaze towards the dirty bag that Danny was carrying.
I got nothing to lose anyway.
"Do you mind if I tag along?"
"No, I wouldn't mind at all." The boy seemed happy for a reason that was beyond my knowledge.
It took her awhile to prepare herself. She had gathered whatever could be bartered for a taste of garbage food and stuffed it into a smelly sack.
With descent effort she managed to lift the sack and tossed it over her back.
She was the type of woman who found pride in wielding a strength that is beyond that of her peers. She was a woman in her early thirties with lean muscles acquired from frequent hard labors. She stood about 1.9 meters tall, with short black hairs and brown colored eyes.
As set foot on the mid section's ground, she turned her head towards the direction of the outskirts.
I hope we don't see each other again anytime soon.
******
As we continued to walk into the depths of the mid section, the voice of Bella reached Duncan's ears. "Hey, do you have a specific place you want to visit in the mid section."
He hesitated for a moment. "No, I am just looking for someone."
"And do you know where to look for the person?"
"Actually I don't." His voice tainted with embarrassment.
He heard a sigh from his right, which he presumed came from Bella."Then let's go."
With little effort Bella dragged him by his right hand into a different direction from which they were walking.
The fact that Bella could easily overpower him took him by surprise.
I should be careful around her.
"Where are we going Bella?" This time his voice was more respectful than before.
If Bella noticed the change in his tone, She most probably simply chose to ignore it.
"The mid section may be way better than the outskirts but you can find our kind as long as you know where to look."