Ghouls

I woke up in the gutter of a place I did not recognize, covered in my own blood, and dressed in nothing but a thin t-shirt and bra.A wolf whistle from a large group of drunk, middle aged men made me jump as they started cat-calling and shouting at me.I realised I simply had to get myself covered up. I stood on nervous legs and wrapped the blood soaked shirt I had on my neck around my waist. I made my way out of the hobo's pit that I'd found myself in and tried to find civilisation.

Eventually, I came across a small high street with shops, cafes and bars spanning the entire length. It was still late and most stores were closed which was great for me; the less attention, the easier it'll be t find myself some pants, at least.

I found a mediocre clothes shop and worked my way around the building to the back entrance. The town must have been packed full of twats as the back door was left unlocked, along with no signs of any kind of security system. Glad for the easy break, I found the shop floor and grabbed myself some underwear and sweat pants, alongside a new t-shirt to replace the bloodied one I had on. Once I'd picked up the simple outfit, I found the employees bathroom in the rear and turned on the small light.

The contents of my gut rose fast into my throat. I was able to stop it and swallow the disgusting bile but that didn't change the repulsion of what I found in the small, dirty, broken mirror. Dark circles hung around my eyes, my face sunken and sad, my throat covered in my own dried blood. I turned on the water of the small sink after removing the blood-stained shirt. I cupped my hands to capture the falling liquid, raising my hands to my neck to wipe away the red.

Once I felt like I was washed, I put on my new shirt, undies and pants, throwing the two bloodied shirts in the small sanitary bin beside the filthy toilet. It was then that my gut made an almighty roar; I hadn't eaten in God knows how long and all I really wanted was a sausage and egg butty with obscene amounts of ketchup with a tall glass of real orange juice.

My fantasies didn't last long, though, as I heard a set of keys and a pair of footsteps outside the door. Whoever it was was whistling and as the whistling faded, I made my escape. My heart beat in my ears in fear as I squeaked the door open and slid through, tip-toeing to the door.

"HEY! Who are you?!"

I bolted, running as fast as I could to get out of sight. I must've been running for a good 10 minutes before I stopped, turning into a small alley to catch my breath.

"Hey.. you look clean for a runner.." a croaky but female voice came from a pile of plastic bags, cardboard and duvets.

"Yeah?... I just washed..." I told her, still barely breathing.

"So, where you from?" She asked as she sat up, allowing me to see her, actually, rather pretty but aged face, underneath the layers of muck and dirt.

"England, originally but I've settled in Huntington Beach in California.."

"Shit, you're a long way from home, love," she said in a thick Irish accent, leaning up to me to pass me a bottle of water, which I gladly took.

"Yeah..."

"So, what's your story? An English beauty doesn't find herself living in California but homeless in Florida for nothing.." she leant back, getting comfortable.

"Florida?...shit..."

"Yup. You're in Jacksonville, Baby," she smiled.

"Right...yeah...Jacksonville," I tried to make it seem as if I knew exactly where I was but truth be known, I had no idea how I got here or when or why. The last I struggled to remember was being in Atlanta with Georgie..

"So, how come you're out of breath?"

"Well, I nicked some clothes from a shop," I told her honestly, sitting down in the gutter next to the woman.

"Shit, Kid, you're hardcore." I wasn't sure if she was being honest or sarcastic. "So, why you on the streets of Jacksonville?"

"I don't really remember... All I know is that I can't get back to where I was... wherever that was," I bowed my head, staring at my bare feet, the sores from running on the concrete only stinging now.

"Well, Kid, us ladies stick together here. If we don't, we're just free pussy for the entire city. Now, you're gonna need a jacket, socks, shoes and probably a coat," she spoke as she fumbled around in the mountain of things that seemed to drown her, eventually pulling out a fleeced jacket, thermal socks, combat boots and an old chemical warfare army jacket. Too tired to shed the tears I simply told her thank you. "So, you hungry?" She grinned.

"Yeah, I'm starving," I smiled, wrapping the fleece around me after putting on my new socks and boots.

"C'mon then, Kid, let's eat." She stood, throwing all of her belongings into the shopping cart I didn't even notice behind her.

We made our way out of the alley and walked along the sidewalk until we came across a small cafe, the smell of cooked sausages and fried eggs brimming.

The smile I made was uncontrollable, and the woman noticed it.

"This place does free buns for the homeless. It's a great last-resort. Only because you gotta learn how to be tough, Kid, because if you don't, you'll be eaten alive. If you're ever caught short and can't just pick a hot dog somewhere, this is where you go," she grinned as we got to the counter.

"Hey, Mama Meg! How you doin'? Got a newbie with ya?" the woman behind the counter asked.

"Yeah, this is the Kid. Found her this morning. Gonna train her up the best I can to help her out, like I do with most of this goddamn town," she leant on the top, looking me up and down.

"Well, it's nice to meet a new face to know when ya need help," the waitress smiled, "so, what can I get ya?"

"I'll have the usual and this one'll have sausages and egg," Mama Meg, as I found she was named, stated.

"Alright, take a seat and I'll bring them over," the waitress smiled at us both.

The cafe was a far cry from the restaurants I had been used to with Cameron and the guys, and the butty that arrived was an abomination in comparison to the steak that I'd had with Brian, but I wasn't there anymore. I was homeless on the streets with Jacksonville with local street Queen, Mama Meg.

Before long, Mama Meg had finished her bacon bun and was standing. "Well, this was nice, Kid, but I gotta run." I began to stand as she pushed down on my shoulder. "No, Kid. You gotta go alone. I'm here if you need me but I ain't no ones keeper. I got my own problems without a newbie slowing me down." She told me sternly.

"But what if I need you?" I asked, ashamedly pleading.

"You get the word through the grape vine. I'll find you." She spoke, strong and confident. A mysterious but powerful woman, despite the hunched back, limps and cart full of old belongings.

She left and with that, I was alone again; alone on the streets of an alien city with no money, no contacts, no food, no clothes, and no home. I knew I was strong, but was I strong enough to get myself out of homelessness? Time would tell.

Notes