Alice

The pain felt comes in jagged pieces of mom being knocked to the floor all the while she is kicking and screaming to be let go until she has no memory of what happens next. Coming to, she is aware that she is being carried across the back of someone’s shoulders when she is suddenly dropped to the ground. “Look who is awake,” has her seeing a finger pointing her way. Doing nothing in lessoning the pain she is experiencing, a questioning voice puts it out there, “You shouldn’t have beat her like you did. Can she walk?”

Right then, she is pulled roughly to her feet as a voice with harsh undertones tells her, “You better be worth it,” as she is shoved ahead. “Looks like it.”

The one who asked, kicks at a rock, and after checking on the sun’s path, turns around and says, “Jimmy, I’m telling you right now, if we lose pennies on this deal, what lost is coming out of your cut.”

“Wait. Why? If it wasn’t for me, she would have gotten away.”

“Maybe so but look at what you did to her. There is no getting away with that.” The air is tense and giving in, Jimmy says nothing, but his hand carries forth that telling push.

With Jimmy right on her heels, after a while, the man running the show says something to the other guy walking aside him. He, in turn, looks back at her and getting an uneasy feeling, he breaks off in walking towards her all the while saying, “Keep walking, Jimmy.”

Wearing a scowl, Jimmy does just that and feeling the tension between the two men, she is handed a canteen. “Go easy, now.”

He has kind eyes. And as a smile starts to form on her face, crushing this, is her keeping in mind the duel meaning of being watered like that favorite plant showing off its pretty blossoms. Thankful for the water though, she savors every drop. Handing the canteen back to him, a hint of humanity is felt as he says to her, “Evening is about to fall. I’ll make sure you have something to eat.” That said, he moves her along.

First water, and now the promise of food. Let’s fatten the pig floats around in her head. Never mind the bruising, that will fade in time. It is then that she pictures the buyer shaking his head after examining the damage done to her face. Of boss man pitching another deal which is countered by a hurtful offer. Stemming from this is heated stares directed at Jimmy. Karma. Mom told her all about it. Playing this out to where she thinks there is a chance the two will keep her around in giving her time to heal, the illusion fades to her life being so twisted from the one she thought she was going to live.

Forced onward, every step taken is like the last until the leader of the pack holds up the show by stepping over to the edge of the road to have himself a look. Looking towards them, she is not sure if he is looking at her. or Jimmy.