I heard my alarm go off, a voice I knew by heart coming on like it did every morning.
“Look alive, Sunshine. 109 in the sky but the pigs won't quit.
You're here with me: Dr. Death Defying. I'll be your surgeon, your proctor, your helicopter. Pumpin' out the slaughtermatic sounds to keep you alive-“
I opened my eyes and looked around. I was in my room; the walls were covered in posters of my favorite bands, Linkin Park, Fall Out Boy, My Chemical Romance, Metallica, 30 Seconds to Mars, and then the odd ball one, a poster of Gandhi. Drawings covered any space that wasn’t taken over by posters. I smiled, sitting up and looking out the window at the cloudy June day.
“Happy Birthday, Becki.” I smiled a little, standing up and walking to the small broken mirror on my wall, a picture of Gerard Way right beside it. I looked at myself, big chocolate brown eyes looking right back, and began running my brush through my shoulder length dark brown hair, with its one crimson red streak. I pulled on my usual outfit, a long sleeved black shirt, tight black jeans, my black leather fingerless gloves, and my combat boots. Pulling on my MCR “Gravedigger” jacket, I jogged outside, locking the door behind me, jumping the fence before going down to my motorcycle, (a black Harley Davidson, nothing flashy). I swung my leg over, kicking it to life as I put my helmet on. With a sigh, I drove away from my factory into town.
Hi, I’m Becki Blue Ivy, and I’m now 14 years old. I’ve been living on my own for 3 years, ever since my dad got arrested for God knows what and my mom ran off to Vegas to get married but never came back. So, it’s just me now.
The warm June air wiped my jacket back as I speed down the short road towards town. I slowed as it came into view, stopping on a hill just outside the city limits. We were a small thing, nestled on the border between Louisiana and Texas. We had Town Hall, a library, the Schools, a little grocery store, a gas station, and our Movie Theater. The large factory that was now my home stood on the edge of town, abandon and empty since the Civil war. I had a part time job at the gas station, and one at the grocery store.
I had to work today, but my bosses, Mr. Smith and Mrs. Red Horse, had given me half the day off, so I was going to take it easy as soon as work was over. I grinned from inside my helmet as I leaned forward, and the bike speed down the hill, and onto Main St. I slowed down as I pulled up in front of the little market, shaking my hair out as I pulled my helmet off.
“Good Morning, Becki!” A husky voice called from the other side of the street. I looked back and smiled, dipping my head in respect.
“Morning, Grandfather.” Grandfather Silver wolf, the town elder, sat there in his old wheelchair and jeans, his once jet black hair graying in its usual braids. He wasn’t really my grandfather, but all the townsfolk called him that.
“Come here Birthday Girl.” He said, motioning at me with his hands. I laughed, jogging over.
“I can’t stay long Grandfather. I have work in a few minutes.” He smiled and took something from his pocket.
“I know Ayasha, I know. But I wanted to give you your 14th gift before all that.” He held up a small black medicine bag, tied shut with a leather string. A white arrow was sewn into it, along with 4 turquoise beads shaped like bear prints.
“Oh…Grandfather…” I whispered in awe, kneeling as he slipped it over my head. He began chanting a prayer, and as I raised my head, he smiled.
“To you, Becki Ayasha Blue Ivy, I bestow this charm, which I hope shall bring you good luck in the next year. May the Great Spirit watch over you, my child.” I stood, but not before giving him hug.
“Thank you, Grandfather.” I said as I pulled away, my hand reaching up to finger my new charm. “Thank you.”
He chuckled, and gestured to the shop, as Mrs. Red Horse flipped the small sign from closed to open. “You’d better go, dear. And will you put in a good word with Eyota for me.” He winked as Mrs. Red Horse called from the other side of the street.
“Becki Ayasha Blue Ivy! You’re wanted at your job, missy!”
I laughed, and with a wave, a trotted back. Pulling the shop door open, I smiled as Mrs. Red Horse’s grandson, Eric ran by.
“Hi Becki! Happy Birthday!!”
“Morning, Grandma.” I greeted as I took my seat behind the cash register as normal. It was a small place, but it had a warm, homey feel to it. She walked out from behind the cereal shelf, her long hair silver, loose and flowing like a shimmering river down her back, her dark brown eyes warm. She was in her usual dark blue blouse and black skirt.
“Good Morning, Becki. Happy Birthday.” She said warmly, handing me a small stack of cash and a wrapped plate of fresh cookies. I stared in amazement at her.
“But, Grandma! Payday isn’t till next week!” I said, bewildered. She chuckled, closing my hand around the money, her withered hand warm on mine.
“You need it, dear. Much more then I do. Living out there on your own all these years. But I know you won’t be here much longer, so you’ll need it.” I was shocked. I had been planning to leave before school this year; to pack what would fit into my small back pack and take off. I hadn’t thought of where I was going, but I couldn’t stand being here much longer. But I hadn’t told anyone, not even Grandma.
“Grandma…” She smiled but turned away.
The rest of the day went by, as I got a new brakes and an oil change from Mr. Smith, a lily from little Eric, and a new My Chemical Romance poster in the mail. At around 6:00, I waved good bye to Grandfather and Grandma, and drove home. But half way there, I realized I’d forgotten my jacket at the station.
“Damn it!” I slowed a bit, but without stopping, made a U-turn and speed back towards town, the dying sun peeking from the clouds. I heard thunder and saw lightning flash in the distance. I heard the thunder again as I speed down the hill.
1…2…3…4-BOOM!! Crap! As the station came into view, the rain came down like needles. There was a bus in front of the station, but I paid it no mind as I stretched to a stop, quickly jumping up and rushing to the door. It swung open as I reached for it, knocking me back into the already muddy ground.
“Oh, fuck! Sorry!” A guy stood over me, wearing a hoodie and carrying a large bag of chips. He was in front of another guy, who had very familiar bright red hair and had shades on. The shorter guy reached down, his hand covered in tattoos.
“Shit, I’m sorry!” I sat frozen, as I realized who they were.
“Oh, my god… You’re-“
To be continued.
This is part 1. I wrote more but you guys are gonna have to wait.
