Picture of Constance

Song to the side

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          Driving on the side of the road I contacted Constance that we needed to meet, she had connections to help me get to pit-stops that the Private wanted us to stop the child had her tiny arms wrapped around my waist resting her head on my shoulder comfortably. Switching the station where sappy songs were playing a smoothing silky woman's voice begun to sing. 

          Hearing the silky woman's voice it calmed the tensing nerves that swelled in my thrumming body, the glistening sun rays gave off that it was late afternoon the wooded road was piercing quiet there wasn't any sights of movement while we drove. The trees in the fields were obviously dehydrated the past five years of a drought has taken a toll in Mexicali.

          The child attempted to started some small talk until I raised the volume the song going from a peaceful song to ignoring the child made her silent throughout the ride, we passed under a bridge that was built to link the separated road that split during a massive earthquake. Building around here were still under construction. 

           Stopping at a gas station the child took off the helmet grabbing it from her hands I placed it under my arm while holding it with my fingers, setting the pump into the bike I took my debit card out going to fill it up to fully then I'll stop again once it reaches half-tank. Going inside the store a woman stood behind a thick glass with the bottom part opened to pay. 

          Grabbing three bottles of water and sour gummies I went to the front showing the barcode for the woman to scan, taking this chance to glance around the shop two men came in holding hands going to the back where a small section of traveled books were located, "Are you getting your thangs or are you going to stand there all day?" The woman's scratchy voice surfaced her gagging cough was covered by her boned-fingers. 

           Grabbing the items on the counter I flipped the woman when hearing her cussing I snickered walking out of the store, making it back to the bike I unhooked the pump placing it back in place then covering the lid tossing the kid the sour gummy worms she smiled beginning to eat them, savoring each nibbled bite.

          Watching her nibbling on the food her eyes focused in the world around her the cracking of the bag rippling when her fingers dug into the bag for more, "Constance is human, will-...will she be nice to me Charlotte?" My eyes softening at her tender words I nodded patting her shoulder reassuringly.

          "My job is to protect you at all cost." I explained to the child the nervous glint her eyes was resting there, but she gave me a small grin with a cheeks sparkled with sugar. 

           After stretching our aching legs we got back on the bike going to have to endure another thirty minutes we have driven two hours already another thirty minutes shouldn't hurt, the child enjoyed the drive feeling her smile when she pressed her cheek onto my back admiring the view. It made me ponder as to what they were admiring that had them hooked to the scenery. 

          I always wondered what Mexico would be like I only heard story of that place, but now I was being given the chance to do this job and drop them off at a safe haven. All those years ago Safe Haven's needed to earn their permits and they needed the funding if they wanted a stable place, now these places practically had a Disney vibe to them; just without the expensive tickets or overpriced food and drinks. 

           I never been to a safe haven let alone been around after her death there wasn't a need to go to a Safe Haven I much preferred hustling people for protection fees then being an Honest Woman I would much rather cut my arm off than ever become that, but to work for that hag's men was completely out of the question. 

           After what her men were planning to do to the couple I was planning on ripping off all their genitals for those four men, yet I got to do it to three while the last prick went running to their base telling lies. Once I saw him at the bar and broke that twisted neck of his, nothing but satisfaction bloomed in my chest. 

          However, the horror in their eyes of pure mercy haunted every dream I been having for the past six months I wondered if I got there sooner I could have stopped Davis's men sooner. I knew that she had a zero policy for those kind of acts, but her men were wild dogs that deserved to be put down they had no sense of dignity or respect left in them. 

           If I would have lectured Davis about her men she would've pointed several questionable acts that I have done myself, "It wasn't your fault." The child's voice echoed in my head, whatever doubts I had were swept away when hearing the innocence's that still haunts with her the child was right in that department.

            "Can you stop going through my mind, some people don't like it when you do that." I reminded the child, she released an exasperated sigh this time her arms laced lazily around my waist no longer carrying the strength she had before.

          Once we arrived to the storage there were four other rows of storages with each row having six or seven that depended on the size-the storage that Constance had was only two latches before the end and the size was medium an unexpected size for the kind of business she runs. Getting off the bike I set the hook to the side it can lean to the side without falling, getting the helmet off I set it right on the seat.

           Checking my phone Constance messaged that she was going to be five minutes late having to pick up a few supplies, stuffing my phone into my pocket I took a seat on the hard ground leaning against the bumpy wall causing the kid to follow suit. Running a hand through my hair I pressed my lips into a thin line frowning when a headache begun to come along.

           Pulling my knees up to my chest I rested my head soothing the right temple while I attempted breathing exercises, "Charlotte, are you okay?" She asked a hint of concern in her tone. 

           Patting her knee I nodded softly soothing my temple again until the headache slowly rocked away, these kind of things came and went it was becoming a return after her death over the years these headaches only grew worse leaving little of time to separate myself from drinking. I could taste the sharp bitterness on my tongue if I thought hard enough I could feel the cold glass pressing on my lips if only I thought hard enough.

          Flickering my eyes closed everything else around didn't matter there was sweetness surrounding all senses, it spoke to me presently-no longer a distant memory that I wished every night to come true. The beautiful flowery field announced itself as Spring it echoed the vibrant colors, there was sticky taste of ice cream that stained my lips only to smile that it was merely vanilla with chocolate syrup.

          I watched from afar as her little feet carried her down the Spring hill her gleeful laughter was contagious I caught up to her tagging her shoulder then jogging while I giggled, aweing blissfully at the clear bright sky I watched dazed to see the sun for the first time. The smog clouds weren't blinding the energetic rays partially or fully. 

          Wide-eyed staring into the sky I twirled around kicking my sandals off to the distance touching the dirt grass that stood at attention, the earth tickled my feet giggling as braided back baby hairs swirled from the gentle wind. Looking around I searched for her-wanting to share the news that I could feel the bugs under my bare feet but she was no longer present. 

          Panicking I screamed the words I hoped for wouldn't spill out they were caught in my throat choking on sobs that I lost her again, falling to my knees I dug my hands into the dirt pulling on the grass angrily cursing everything/one around me. I lost her again it was my fault I was the cursed child that couldn't keep her safe she was my responsibility. 

            Pounding fist after fist into the dirt blood dribbled down soon the pupil in my eyes expanded turning them black as the pain rippled through my powers, the ground crack separating the earth from itself the leaves stopped in the air as I the screaming headache thrashed around demanding dominance. 

           The whistling tune of the birds stopped along with every cricket tune that tapered with this false reality, roughly being brought back to reality I looked around realizing that I was on the ground it felt like every muscle in my body was being restrained. It was as if my own body refused to cooperate. 

           Glancing around Elena was covering her head with her legs pulled up sobbing as she rocked herself back and forth, "I'm sorry-please don't be mad at me, I didn't know. Your just so sad that it hurts to be next to you....I wanted to make you happy." Her words muffled against her sleeved arms made her voice sound incoherent. 

           Tears stained my own cheeks realizing that the actions in the dream weren't real the ache in my fist were fine the evidence for the soreness was falsely illusive, hearing her words sent a pang in my heart but I warned her to stop surfing through my memories it was only going to cause more harm. 

           I was flushed from the whole ordeal struggling to release myself the child's powers allowed me to be free, the tingling singles were now telling my muscles to move. I sprang to my feet, taking it slow while I kneeled next to her-hearing the continued sobs, hesitantly rubbing her back my brows, knitted in concern wishing that there was a way for this child to stop feeling my pain.

           After the whole ordeal we cleaned ourselves up Constance was going to arrive in any time and I didn't need her worrying over us, she already had enough to worry about on her plate. When Constance arrived she unlocked the latch then lifted the gate door watching it slide up then slid its way down the ceiling. 

           The garage still appeared the same there was case files on the floors stacked into a neat pile for those she has helped then another pile that always spiked higher each week, those piles always took the longest to complete and people like her preferred to work alone. Constance took the chance to close the garage opening up hidden windows, so air can vent out the stuffiness. 

          The child clung to my sweater from behind peaking from the sides watching Constance work her magic I always loved watching her work, she will be quick on her feet with such intensity that it became a kink to watch her work. Constance always found a way to make the wheels in her brain strategize twice as fast-in her line of work she always had to prepare for the unexpected. 

          Taking a seat on the fold up metal chairs I shivered at the coldness noticing that the cushions on these seats were wearing out, patting the seat next to me for the child to see the desk was only a few inches away from us placed near a set of boxes. Watching her eyes shifting from mine to the seat the kid finally sat down, she continued to chew on the wrist sleeve of her sweater nervously. 

          Rolling my eyes I crossed my arms suspecting that the kid was merely exaggerating on their state of nervousness, feeling a stinging smack on my back shoulder I winced reaching over to rub the soreness. Turning to face Constance she watched narrowing her eyes into mine, "Be nice." She warned then went back to focus her attention on sorting the place out.

          Begrudgingly glancing over to the kid she shifted in her seat uncomfortably, shimmering my sweater off I wrapped it around it around her rubbing her shoulders, "Thank you, and you too Ms. Constance." She smiled brightly her dimmed white teeth flashing. 

           "You're welcome kid, my friend here doesn't talk much but give her time and she will soon. Charlie mentioned you're a telepath that must be cool I always wanted to have powers too." Constance remarked ending with a positive note at the end.

           Smirking I recalled the days she will daze into the clouded skies explaining her dreams of having powers one day-it showed an innocence that I wasn't allowed to have, it's what made I used to love about her. The kid tighten the sweater around pulling her legs up into her chest watching as she was allowing herself to sleep. 

           "Found it!" She exclaimed excitingly, hushing her yelling Constance swat me with the file on my arm, going around she handed me the file, opening it there were maps that involved the shortcuts to the pitstops that the Private gave to us. 

           Scanning through each withered map I looked up at Constance that placed her hands proudly on her hips, "You're welcome by the way, for a moment I though all that dust was going to be the death of me." She joked 

          Releasing an exaggerated sigh with a roll in my eyes Constance smacked my shoulder again growling lowly out pleasure, glancing over to the girl I took noticed that she was finally asleep, gesturing over to the girl Constance cleared her throat rubbing the back of her neck receiving the hint a hint of blush blooming over her cheeks.

          Allowing Constance to pull to the far end of the garage where several boxes were stacked she pinned my wrist against the wall, she had her other hand snaked down from the edges of my lips to teasing the outline of my underwear. Pulling off my shirt she returned to dominating, taking notice of a small cut on my side she eyed me with hunger of lust lurking in her eyes. 

           "Please." I begged giving her the consent that she was searching for, but when she pressed her hand on the minor cut gently, I bit back a moan throwing my head back allowing this moment to take us. We went gentle on one another savoring each moment while being utterly silent-we yearned to crave this moment. 

            Resting against the wall we breathed heavily sharing the same space clinging close, brushing back her black straight hair she yanked my hair back going to pepper my kisses until I whispered, "Cucumber." Constance releasing her grasp nodding her eyes sorrow filled with forgiveness. 

           Cupping her cheeks I gave her a reassuring grin pecking her lips softly; she needed to understand that she did something I didn't like, yet I knew she didn't like making people feeling uncomfortable. Over the years of our relationship we both led equally, but those times were over what we had between wasn't that complete confidence in one another like before.

          Dressing ourselves I looked over at the sleeping girl resting my arm on the box along with my forehead Constance watched behind her eyes burning into my skull announcing, "That girl is special Charlie I'm here for you, but don't allow your greed to fuck it up." Her bluntness was sharp as nails; Constance had the ability to read people allowing no one to screw her even when I attempted to do so. 

          Groaning out annoyance I shook my head walking over to the kid shaking her shoulders to awake, "Can you stop, that hurts." The girl remarks stretching her legs like a baby chick.

           The girl hugged Constance saying her goodbyes while we left to get back on the road I had Constance new number incase anything goes down, yet I knew I might be calling soon going to need the company of another persons voice. Preparing on the bike Constance stride over handing me a helmet, eyeing the bike there was scar on the glass when we got into a minor accident while speeding. 

             "Take care of each other-if you need anything, call me. It won't bother me even if I'm busy with my own job." She remined us doing the two finger motion of 'I'm Watching You' nodding firmly I clasped the helmet securing everything was intact. 

           After a few hours we were driving down the dimly lit path the light bulbs flickered driving a stressing headache that stretched to the back my neck, the child was still clinging her short arms around me. Going into a shady looking motel parking lot I helped the child off pulling the motorcycle into the alley side of the motel, there were rundown buildings that left little in-between. 

            The alleys were dark so when I dug into the storage seat I took out the blanket covering the cycle then stuffing the keys into my pocket, "Don't worry I'll stay close." Chuckling softly I patted her resting a hand on her back while I gently guided her towards the front bullet proof doors. 

           Entering the motel smoke filled the halls smelling of weed along with a mixture of familiar drugs that thickened the airways, "Cover your mouth with your shirt." I thought hoping that she received the messaged thinking.

           The girl did just that while we walked to the front desk a woman was surfing through her phone with several tattoos on her arms her gothic clothing brass bloodied knuckles proved she wasn't one to be messed with. Snaking my eyes on the woman I found myself stuck, watching as her undercut styled hair dazzled with punk red and green the pastel outfit made me stare longer than what I was supposed too. 

           "Can you tell your friend this isn't the place." The woman's shaky breathe whispered to us lowly, realizing the damage I could've done I cleared my throat grabbing a pen and paper from the desk writing the rooms we need. 

           The woman darted her eyes around cautious of the people that walked in and out the motel before grabbing the paper and reading it, "What does she mean Charlotte? I thought there wasn't anything wr-." Snapping my eyes to the child she quickly cowered her eyes away.

          Once the woman gave us a card to the room I gripped the child's arm storming up the stairs going to the room that was assigned to us. I didn't spare a glance towards the woman blaming myself that I allowed what I am to blind me, there wasn't a choice to remember that there's people out there that could kill people like or similar to me.

          Staring into space the voice rung in my head staring into space before the those words finally made sense, "It's okay...let me go slowly, I'm here for you." Blinking I realized that we were in the room my right hand was shaking drops of blood dripping on the carpet.

          Releasing the intense grip on her arm the girl led me to the bed taking a seat on the creaking and cracking, "Go ahead and take the bed, let me clean up." The girl nodded crawling over to her side shimmering under the blankets. 

           Going into the bathroom I closed the door turning on the facet, displaying my fist under the running warm water wincing from the tenderness the bruises swelled every knuckle proving the memories difficult to remember. Slowly pressing down on the wounds my knees slowly buckled from the intensity, biting onto my lips I fluttered my eyes opened stopping immediately.

          After cleaning my cuts I left the bathroom only to stop in my tracks with the girl spread out on the bed, leaning against the frame of the door I switched the lights off with the neon signs outside illuminating the room with it's flashing red. The sudden dread of hurting the girl soon washed over, tomorrow I knew I needed to check her wrist praying there wasn't going to be a bruise. 

           "Pick me-pick me up." The silkiness of her voice was soft as honey a sense of playfulness used to linger there when we were kids, those days we kited inside of building a simulation of meadows will play in the background while the intercom had spring instruments buzzing in our ears.

            Resting on the floor I allowed the meadow images to swallow me whole the floor was softer than any beds I slept on; allowing myself to drift off to sleep, the last thing I saw was the girl putting thin blanket on me before slowly drifting into a deep slumber.

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