Broken

Chapter Eight: Big Mistake...

"Come on Althea! We'll be late." Louis yelled into the room she had hidden in almost all morning. He spoke again, only this time to me, "A very nice lady homeschools a bunch of the kids. All of the kids actually, except for Beverly." he said his name like it was profanity.

Wait, but wasn't Brown v. Board was last year? "Aren't the schools integrated?"

"Legally. Doesn't mean that Mississippi is eager to change." He sighed.

Althea came bouncing out with her hair in fresh curly pigtails. A nice, but old blue shirt covered her down to her mid thigh. The rest of her body was in jeans and older converse shoes. "Ready, Louis!"

"Ok. Let's go. I'll be back at around five, if you want to stay, Katrina."

"I might go out and try to track down my boyfriend. Or maybe find a job if I'm going to be staying here for a little while."

Louis' eyes showed a twinge of sadness as he said, "Ok. Just know you're alway welcome here."

"Thank you!" I smiled at him and even wider at Althea. "Have fun at school!"

She smiled before they quickly left.

I left before I had another encounter with Beverly (I honestly didn't trust him very much). The wind was chillier than it was the morning before. I had changed into the dress Louis had set out for me, it was a modest blue dress similar to Karen's. The reminder only made me sad, but I still had to set out for a job. If I could get the money I could find him easier instead of reliving the night before.

He probably would've run you over.

Which is why I'm glad I ran.

It would've been quick. Maybe not painless.

Stop talking and help me get hired. I'm trying to survive over here.

I walked around in boots to the city. I stopped at salons (I was instantly kicked out), grocery store (I was "kindly escorted" out by the manager), and libraries (I was shushed and asked to leave). One man wouldn't even hear my plea for a job. I stopped asking for jobs and began asking for food. The soup I had eaten earlier wasn't substantial enough for the hours I spent walking. I didn't find many other women of color, which lead me to abandon my quest for a job and search for other girls so I can mourn my struggles.

I walked into the nearest bar (hoping I wouldn't see Beverly). I was so hungry I didn't see the WHITES ONLY sign.

"NO! Get out of my bar!" the bartender yelled.

The other customers joined in.

"Go back to Africa!"

"N****rs are this country's problem!"

"Get the hell out!"

I ran away before they could get to me.

It was about four when I was going through the Monroe Park. On the other side, I had seen shadows of other women like me and was eager to meet them. I strolled right through the thick grass of the woodsy area. A playground was to my left, the busy town to my right. The white kids were playing on the visible, newer playground while the black ones had wooden slides and swings made of rope towards the beginning of the woods.

I heard heavy footsteps follow behind me. I turned my head ever so slightly and saw him. He was a white man, maybe late twenties or thirties with dark hair and a few grays. He had deep set eyes and a thin line for a mouth. He was taller than me (but everyone is taller than me), but he seemed to tower more than other people. His strides were long and he slinked behind me. I could feel the darts of his pupils drilling into my back. A started to feel warm. Fearful of a repeat of the other night I walked faster. What is he going to do to me anyway? It's broad daylight. Surely someone would help me.

Now we were getting in the woods, the deep grove of tall trees. Why they had a forest in the middle of town, I wasn't sure. But I knew that if anything did happen to me, no one would be close enough to hear my screams. The thick leaves blocked out the sun and made my stomach twist. I could barely see the stalks of bark in front of me. I didn't want to die just yet. I had to say goodbye to Jordan first. Being blind with him right behind me wasn't a good idea. So I turned to confront the man. Try to make friendly small talk while telling him to go screw himself at the same time.

Big mistake.

At my sudden movement, he quickly punched me square in the jaw. I was dazed for a long time; no one has ever hit me before. My eyes wide I took my finger and brushed it against my lip. A bright red coated the tip.

"Don't say a word about this, you hear?"

"What? What are you--?"

He hit me again, and I fell back. On my wait down my head slammed down onto something hard (a tree stump?). I was fading in and out of consciousness for what felt like the next eternity. My throat was raw from screaming when I was awake and there was pressure in my stomach. Every time I opened my eyes I just wanted them closed again. I was too weak to hit him. I was barely moving underneath his weight.

You really did it this time, Katrina. Eve praised.

I-I didn't do anything. He just came up and--

You're a famous time traveler. You changed history, you saved the entire world, and you can't even beat up an old man?

He surprised me.

He followed you. Into the woods. Are you dumb?

What should I do?

Beg that Jordan wants a piece of trash like you back.

I'm not... I'm not... I-

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