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I shake my head

The world is a urgitated sandwiches on the floor in front of me, I realize that o

By the tiht As soon as I finish the upstairs bathrooht and not per-hour because it’s good s done as quickly as possible The pay structure alsoain, the end result is the same

Tonight, I’ when all of o on full alert Suddenly, I feel like so me, and it scares the shit out of me I stand perfectly still in front of the side door It’s the door I always use because there’s a really close parking lot and it’s only about twenty feet fro in an old building alone at night, I try to be as safe as possible about this

Until now, I’ve never really been overly concerned about safety at Westbridge High It’s a se forest, but what kind ofin forests? Bears? It’s not like this is so out of the woods and take me to its lair

This is real life, and thataround, they’re probably going tothe school as quietly as possible Then I turn slowly My eyes sweep the parking lot, which is cohts, the night is dark, and I can’t see very well It’s not very far to my vehicle from the door, but the walk seems like forever, and for the first time since I started thi

s job, I’m filled with a sense of fear and dread

Still, I don’t really have o home It’s not that difficult I’ve done this a thousand times before I can run to et inside Once I’ will be okay Once I slip into my car and turn it on, I’ll be safe I knoill I just have to make it there

I decide that a sloalk toto be best That way, if there really is ain the darkness, it won’t think I’ht? Yeah Total sense Okay

Ito seem as normal as possible as Ilot looking forout there? Maybe I’ care of the kittens and then I had to work I’et home and take a nap, this will all seem like a bad dream

That’s it

I make it to my car I fumble with my keys for a second, press the button to unlock the door, and then grab the handle The whole thing feels loud and rushed, and I look around once more I’m just about to slide in the car I pull the door open I move forward

And then she’s beside me

Grabbing me

Covering my mouth with her hand

“Don’t scream,” the woman’s voice is pained and low The scent of blood fills ins to pound harder than it ever has before, and I realize this is it This is when I die I’ to be shuttled off to a terrible, horrible, painful death that no one will be able to save me from

This is how I go

And the first thought that rushes throughto take care of them? No one even knows they’re there I didn’t tell anyone I was taking theoing to starve, I realize, and there’s nothing I can do about it

“I’ behind er thanaround, I can tell that she towers over ht: that much is for certain “But I need your help Please,” she whispers “Don’t scream They’ll hear”

Then to my surprise, she lowers her hand and carefully spins me around Her hands are on my shoulders, and I look up at the wo, I realize

“You’re hurt,” it’s the first thing I say, and although I’e Blood is pouring out of her leg and her sto a backpack of soet you to the hospital,” I tell her, instantly forgetting s are more important than death This woman needs help “Get in my car,” I tell her, suddenly worried about her She looks pale, even in the ht What happened to her? Maybe she was in a car accident, or perhaps she was attacked

“There’s no ti” She slides her backpack off of her body and thrusts it into my arms That’s when I realize it’s not a backpack at all, but a child carrier, and there’s a little baby inside The infant looks up at , but doesn’t cry or make any noise at all “Please,” she says “Take her to Fablestone They’ll knohat to do Find Ca Please”

“But, I,” I shakeabout babies”

“Vow to me,” the woman says “Swear an oath Take the baby Please”

In this moment, I realize I have two choices