After having slept for a while, Maya awakens to the cold of rain falling upon her, The ground around her forming a small puddle.
"aw man... why'd it have to rain when I'm out here.."
She grabs her bag and heads into the center of the town, looking for a place to stay while the rain falls, Knocking on several doors with no avail, until a small shop opened their doors for her, her face hidden by wearing a hood to blend in, he welcomes her into the store.
"What's a kid like you doing out in the rain so late at night?" the shopkeeper says, handing her a towel.
"Oh I uhm.. fell asleep outside, I'm sorry to bother you so late in the night mister.."
"Its quite alright, Say, your voice sounds mighty familiar.. do I know you from somewhere?"
"I- Uhm.. I don't think so.."Maya says, trying to avoid him learning her identity.
"Take off that hood, l swear I've heard that voice before." the elderly man slowly reaches to remove the hood from maya's head
she smiles awkwardly as the shopkeeper takes off her hood, revealing her true identity"surprise..?" Maya says sheepishly, avoiding eye contact
He looks closely at her face, observing every little detail of the girls complexion "I knew I recognized you.. You're that girl always causing trouble around town.. I should really kick you back onto the streets for all the problems you've caused here... But I am quite sure you have your reasons.." He takes the towel back from her, hanging it in front of a small fire place "You can stay here until the rain stops.. But once it does, you must leave, You may be a outcast here, but you're still just a young kid.."
She sits with a confused face, not used to the hospitality of anybody "Thank you mister...!" Maya sits in front of the fire, warming up after being drenched in the freezing rain "Why are you helping me so much.?" She asks, unsure of his intentions
He smiles as he sits down on an old rocking chair "What kind of man would I be to leave a kid out in the freezing cold.." He pulls out a book and begins to read "So, you must have a story... What lead you to act out this way?"
Maya looks to the side, thinking "What made me this way..?" She lays back on the old wooden floors "Just what I had to do, to survive at least.. I've been treated as an outcast for as long as I can remember, I was never sure why.." Maya looks to the floor with a sorrowful look in her eyes "I'm glad you don't hate me... Old Man." she looks to him, he looks back to her, smiling softly
"I have no reason to, after all, you're just doing what you must.. Oh yes, My name, Robert, If you're going to be staying here, I could at least inform you of my name." His voice surprisingly soothing "Have you a name, Kiddo?" He leans his head back, closing his eyes
"... Its Maya..." she looks at him, confusion still resting in her face, Her stomach rumbles in a desperate cry of hunger "Old man... do you have anything I could eat.?" She fixes her gaze onto Robert
He lets out a faint chuckle "A greedy one, aren't we.." Maya, being unaware of the joking manner, looks away shyly. "I-I'm sorry..." Robert gives a sorrowful and forgiving look to Maya"You needn't apologize, It was but a joke, Maya." He hands her a small bowl of fresh soup. Indecisively, she takes the bowl and immediately begins to eat "ow!!" she coughs and covers her mouth as she burns herself on the still hot soup.
He smiles, watching her as if she was his own child "Be careful, it's still hot." She yelps out in pain "No duh old man!!" Maya continues to cover her mouth as Robert continues to chuckle "What's so funny you geezer!"He doesn't reply, as Maya looks up at him again, Robert was in his chair, completely asleep. She yells out in her mind "He fell asleep Mid conversation..!" She lets her soup cool before finishing it and laying down on a small blanket. "It's sure nice having a place to sleep for once.." Maya smiles at Robert before drifting off to a deep slumber.
CHAPTER TWO:END