Chapter 2

JASAMINA

"Take this..." The drunkard said to me, his voice hoarse and scratch like gravel. Sounds like a voice that hasn't been used in a while.

I stared at the notes in his hand. I didn't stop to wonder why this drunkard with filthy clothes will help me, instead I snatched the dollar notes from his outstretched hand.

"Thank you. Thank you so much!" My relief was so profound that tears filled my eyes.

He didn't answer. Instead, he shuffled past me, his staggering steps loud on the cool pavement. He snapped his head to the sky, swung the bear bottle to his lips, and drank a mouthful as he continued walking.

Jaimie wiggled under my clothes, drawing my attention away from the kind drunkard. I tightened my arm around my baby, shaking my head with force repeatedly to shave off the dizziness I was feeling.

I turned and walked away, pulling my coat closer to my face to cover half of my face and hide my identity.

I bought a baby bottle and formula from the nearest store, ignoring the quizzical eyes the clerks were giving me, I made my way out.

Hours later, I fed my baby and I've eaten something too. 

Since I can't afford to be in one place for a long time, I continued my journey. 

THREE DAYS LATER.

I don't have the slightest idea where I am. Only a few dollars are remaining from the money an older woman gave me last night. I've lost track of how many buses I've entered and how many rides I've hitched. 

I long for a nice bath. I long to breathe without feeling pain. My whole body feels like one big bruise.

Jaimie was sleeping in my arms as I walked without a destination. I only sleep wherever I find myself. 

My legs arching really bad now, and trembling so well, I feared that my leg will give out. I'm on the road and I can't afford to pass out here because someone might take my child.

I have to keep walking. I have to.

TANNER

Beer. I need another one.

I staggered my way through the long road, my eyes barely clear. Hell, I'm starting to think. I'm not supposed to be thinking at all. That's why I need more beer.

I froze with the whiskey bottle midway to his lips. Even in the poor light of the evening, a girl on the other side of the road caught my dazed eyes. The familiar coat cannot be mistaken. 

It's the girl with the baby. The same girl.

Even from the distance and my blurred vision, I saw her milk-white face, her eyes with huge splashes of darkness and fear. She was trembling really hard with her hand tightened on the bundle of her coat which I already know is her baby.

I'm a lot of miles away from Valleyland and I see her again. She is not my problem. 

Is she homeless? Is she on the run? Who begs on the street at such an age and with a such small child?

Not my problem, I decided again. I have two priorities in life now.

One. Drink a beer and get drunk.

Two. Stay sane long enough to buy a new bottle that'll replace the finished one.

I stumbled my way past the girl, swinging the beer and groaning as it burned down my throat. I just passed her when I heard a loud thud on the ground.

I turned to see the girl sprawled on the ground. Even in her fall, she still held the bundled baby protectively to her belly. She has passed out.

"Not my problem." I reminded myself as I turned to keep walking but somehow, I can't get my drunk body to move forward. 

"This is such a bad idea." I tried to convince myself. I just took a step forward when two male voices behind me made me stop again.

"She's so beautiful." One growled.

"Passed out cold, the wee one is." The other one said, then he lowered his voice. "Let's get her to one of those abandoned buildings and...you know...."

I snorted disgustedly at their plans but I took another step forward, determined not to interfere. She's not my problem.

"Alright, let's go." The first man said behind me.

Shit. I whirled around to face them. They were already trying to carry her up from the ground.

"Leave her alone." I meant for the words to come out stern, but they slurred out.

One of the scoffed, "Stupid drunkard. Better be on your way." He scolded.

There was a time in my life when people like him can't stand where I'm standing. Or speak when I'm speaking....talk more of talking back at me this way.

Keep the past buried, man, I scolded myself. I really really don't want to fight this two because it'll sober me up. Don't wanna get sober.

"Can't you see she has a baby? Leave her alone." I bit out again.

"Don't mind the drunkard. Help me let's lift her." The other one said.

That was how I found myself fighting both of them, leaving them all bloodied and they had to run away.

I know you're wondering how a drunk slob like me managed to beat them to a stupor and send them running, but I'll spare you the details. 

Trust me, you don't want to know about me. Even if you do...I'll never tell.