New Beginnings

Chapter Two - Saving Children

 

Chapter Two –

 

            William woke up feeling better than he had in weeks, though his stomach was growling like mad. He slowly got to his feet, and looked around the room. It was a very nice living room, though there wasn’t much in there, it was well put together with nothing out of place. William folded up the blanket and placed it at the end of the couch. He then walked into the kitchen and looked around. There had to be something there he could eat. William opened the fridge and looked inside. Pizza. That was probably from last night, he thought to himself, remembering that she said something about ordering it. He wondered if the girl was still in the house, figuring he could always make something for her too if she was home. William walked over and opened the garage door. Seeing the car still inside, he closed the door and walked back to the fridge. He pulled out a carton of eggs and some bacon before getting to work on making breakfast.

           

            Starra woke up to the smell of bacon and eggs. It smelled wonderful and she wondered why her house smelt like that. Getting out of bed, she wrapped her robe tightly around herself then headed down the hall. Carefully she peaked into the kitchen. Two plates of food were on the table with eggs and bacon on them. The boy was washing off dishes. “Good morning” Starra said, “The food smells wonderful.”

            The boy turned and smiled at her, “Thank you”

            Starra walked over and sat down in front of a plate, “You didn’t have to make breakfast for me.” The boy finished the dishes before he walked over and sat down at the table.

            “It only seemed right”

            Starra smiled and started to eat, “Did you sleep well?”

            The boy nodded, “Yes, thank you.” Starra looked up and watched him eat. Though he was attempting to eat slowly, Starra could tell he was hungry.

            “How long…” she stopped as the boy looked up at her. His eyes were wide, but seemed calm. Starra cleared her throat, “How long have you been on the street?

            The boy lowered his eyes a bit, “About… eight months.” He said quietly. Starra almost choked on her food.

            “Eight months?” She said in surprise, “How did you get food? Stay warm or dry?” The boy smiles a bit.

            “Just found ways to.” Starra went back to eating, her mind working. When the boy finished he stood up and washed off his plate.

            “I… have work today.” Starra said quietly. The boy looked back at her.

            “Ok…”

            “You…” she took a deep breath. “You can stay here, if you’d like.” The boy tipped his head a bit.

            “You’re uncomfortable about me staying here?”

            “I just know… I’m just worried that…” she wondered how to say it.

            “Worried I might steal from you?” the boy questioned

            Starra paused for a few moments before nodding, “Yes.”

            “I won’t.” the boy replied

            “What is your name?” Starra asked.

            “William” the boy responded, “What is your name?”

            “Starra,” Starra said with a smile.

 

            Starra got out of the shower and dressed. She had to get going or she was going to be late. Starra hurried into the living room and looked around. “Hm…” she said as she moved into the kitchen. The dishes were washed, dried, and put away, even the counters were cleaned up, but the boy wasn’t in there either. Starra walked down the hall and stopped by the den. William stood in the middle of the half painted room. He turned to look at her when she walked into the room. “I’m trying to finish it, but I’ve been busy. The side wall needs fixed, the room painted the rest of the way, the border put up, the old window taken out and the new one put in… the wood furniture needs to be sanded and painted.” Starra sighs, “I’ll get it done sometime, I’m sure.” She smiled, “It isn’t a rush, it’s just me living here so...” William looked around the room again, not saying anything. “I’m leaving for work. Unless the roads are bad again tonight I’ll be home by nine.”

            “Alright. Be careful.” William said, as he looked out the broken window. Starra nodded and headed for the car.

 

            Starra walked into the house. A plate of food sat on the table. Starra smiled then noted the smell of paint. Setting her bag on the floor she walked into the den. The wall was fixed, the den painted and the furniture sanded. Starra grinned and walked into the living room. The boy was asleep on the couch, his hair damp from a shower. Starra walked over and turned off the television before going back to the kitchen to eat the meal he had cooked. She had to admit it was nice having someone else in the house to do stuff, though she was kind of curious as to why he was doing it. She wondered who he was and where his parents were. If he was a run away she’d have to get in touch with them, if she could find them. Starra gets up and rinses off her plate. She walks into the living room and stops. The boy was sitting on the edge of the couch. He looks like he was lost in thought, his eyes somewhere else. “Hey,” Starra said softly as she walks over to him and kneels down in front of him. “Are you alright?”

            “Just thinking,” he looks at her.

            “About what?” she softens her voice, trying what she learned in class.

            “I miss it,” his voice drifts off slightly, “I miss being free.”

            “Being free?” Starra lightly touches his hand, “Where is your family?”

            William blinks and looks at Starra, “Family?” He smiles a bit, “My family is dead.”

Reviews

[jenny]

Really good, and you are right I didn't read that part about his family being dead, NIce thing to know now she should have asked him that way earlier on in the story.

[Sarabi]

His family is dead!?
Nice way to end the chapter; now I'll be waiting for the rest to come out so I can find out WHO he is, or what he is, I guess. I love how sweet his character is. But I noticed how you changed from past tense to present tense a lot. Example: Starra walked into the house (past) vs. Starra walks into the living room and stops (present). Preferably, I like past tense, and you seem to use it more. But, every now and then, you slip up and use present tense. The combination of past and present tense is kind of confusing and annoying; it might be an accident, but if you're writing it on purpose, then you might want to just choose one and stick with it. Unless it has something to do with the story, like the present tense is William's POV, but it doesn't seem that it was. Otherwise than that, it's a nice story. Keep writing, please! I want to know more.