A Fresh Start
Imported from SF2 with no description.
AUTHOR’S NOTE (sorry in advance for being so long): *Checks date of last posting* It has been entirely too long. HELLO EVERYONE! For those of you who don’t know me (or have forgotten) I’m AK16. I have returned from my hibernation which lasted a little longer than I would have. It was rough for a while. But I’m back and hopefully better than ever. I’ve written two other stories on this site. Go read them please..especially if you’re new...trust me ;). As for this story series, it is full of new beginnings. This is just a little taste of what is to come (as for the other story I was working on, I’m putting it on the shelf for a while. Sorry if I disappointed :( ) Comment with your thoughts below. If you’re so inclined, rate and favorite. Feel free to shoot me messages. Would love to talk to anyone. Hope you all enjoy! Peace and Love!- AK
Roxie sat behind the table in the police station interrogation room. She tried, in vain, to remember how long she’d been there. It had to be at least five hours. Still, she wasn’t about to talk; not that she had anything to say. She thought for a moment about how she got into this mess. It was supposed to be a peaceful protest about the election. For some, the trendy thing to do; for others, like her, it was a cause she truly believed in. But of course, there were those who used protests as an excuse to show their more primal sides. Rioting and looting, the likes of which hadn’t been seen since Trump was elected. America survived that ordeal, it would survive again.
Much like America, Roxie herself was a survivor, but now was not the time to think about that. She fully expected to be sent to jail, along with other peaceful protesters, for simply being at the wrong place at the wrong time, or perhaps because she dared to voice her opinion. The door to the interrogation room swung open. A younger man, in a cheap suit with sharp features entered.
“Get up.” he said. “We’re leaving.”
“Where are you taking me?” Roxie asked.
“You’ll see.”
“I want a lawyer.”
“You’re not under arrest. You don’t need one. C’mon let’s go.”
“Then tell me where you're taking me!”
The cop sighed.
“Look,” he said, “I’ve been at this for long enough to know you don’t have anywhere to go. You look like you’ve been sleeping in an alleyway for about a month. So I’m going to take you someplace where you can stay until you get things settled.”
Roxie wanted to take offense. She had not been sleeping in an alleyway; it was a park bench. And it hadn’t been for a month; only about three weeks. Still, the idea of maybe being able to sleep in a bed was appealing. Still, she had heard stories about what cops did to people like her. Awful, horrid stories. She was not going to let that happen again. Wearily she got up and followed the cop out of the interrogation room.
Roxie avoided the stares of the other officers as she went through a mini walk of shame. The cop leading her only stopped to grab a long overcoat and offer it to Roxie.
“It’s gotta be like 30 degrees out there.” he said. “Put this on or you’ll freeze to death.”
Roxie accepted the coat. It was way too big on her lengthwise. That’s what she got for being so short. The cop led her out of the precinct and towards a row of police cars. To Roxie’s surprise, he walked to the one plain car in the lot; an older, beat up black sedan. He opened the front passenger door for Roxie. She got in, her heart racing a bit with fear at the multitudes of awful ideas swimming around in her head.
The cop got into the car and started the engine and, most mercifully of all, threw on the heat. He backed out of the parking lot and began to drive.
“So are you taking me to some kind of shelter?” Roxie asked him.
“Not exactly.” The cop answered. “But it’s a place you can stay for as long as you need to. I’ve already made all the arrangements.”
Roxie’s hands began to twitch slightly.
“Relax.” the cop said. “I’m not going to hurt you. I know some of my...colleagues are complete bastards, but I’m not. I’m just trying to help you.”
“Why?” Roxie asked. “Why do you care what happens to me? Just another one of the homeless humans of the world.”
“Except you’re not human and yes, I can tell.”
Roxie began to panic. Of course, that’s why he made the comment about his colleagues. He could tell what she was. Roxie turned away from the cop and instinctively began to curl up defensively. Either he didn’t notice, or didn’t care.
“So what are you?” he asked her.
Roxie didn’t answer. She just stared out the window.
“Fair enough.”
The cop continued to drive in silence as Roxie began to tremble in apprehension. She had no idea where she was. Not only due to not paying attention to the cop’s driving, but also due to being new to the area. Another turn, a red light, it was all like a maze.
“W-where are you taking me?” Roxie asked again, losing much of her defiant strength.
“Some place where you can have a fresh start. I can guess most of your story already. Kicked out of your house, because of what you were, decided to leave the area and find a new place, and you couldn’t find anywhere to go. How right am I?”
Roxie didn’t say anything. She didn’t want to give the cop the satisfaction of an answer. Of course, it was all true. Her once loving family forced her to leave the second she had revealed what she was despite them repeatedly telling her they loved her no matter what. That was her first night homeless. She didn’t sleep at all. Who could after what had happened to her? A week later she was on a train that ended up taking her here.
“Well look,” the cop continued, “this is a place you can stay until you’re back on feet and used to the area. Hell, you can stay even longer if you like it. They’re going to make sure you’re okay.”
The cop’s car stopped in front of a large building that looked reminded Roxie of a hotel. This did nothing to help her nerves. She was afraid The cop pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number. Roxie felt an urge to run as fast as she could, yet her legs didn’t move.
“It’s Blackwood.” the cop said. “I’m outside...yeah alright.”
Blackwood got out of the car and opened Roxie’s door. Roxie hopped out of the car and stood next to the cop, still clutching at his coat for warmth. She didn’t know why she wasn’t running; she could easily get away and ensure her safety. Despite this, Roxie found herself following the cop into the hotel. When she walked in she saw it was unlike any hotel she had ever seen. The reception area was completely deserted. She heard an stairs began to creak and immediately turned her attention to them.
Coming down the stairs was a young man. He wore a vest and tie and had a pair of glasses on his face. Most noticeable, however was the cane he held in his right hand. Clearly in pain, he continued to hobble down the stairs slowly. Blackwood went to go help him.
“Stay there,” the young man said, “I’m…”
“I know.” The cop interrupted. “Handicapped, not crippled.”
“Exactly. Now, is this her.”
“Yeah, can you handle it from here?”
“Yeah. I’m good. Thanks, Blackwood.”
Blackwood turned to Roxie and took of his coat. Luckily, the hotel was fairly warm. Blackwood reached into his pocket and pulled out a pen and a business card. He quickly jotted down something on the back and handed it to Roxie.
“That’s my card.” He said, stating the obvious. “On the back is my personal cell phone number. You need anything, you call me. But you’re in good hands.”
The young man finally made it down the stairs and warmy shook Blackwood’s hand.
“I gotta get going.” the cop said. “You need anything, call me.”
“Will do.” The young man said.
Blackwood nodded and walked outside, leaving Roxie alone. She wished he was back the moment he left. Oddly enough, she felt safer with the cop present. The young man moved his cane to his left hand and extended his right.
“Nice to meet you.” he said. “It’s Roxie, right?”
“Yeah.” Roxie said as she took his hand and shook it. “Who are you? What is the place.”
“You can call me Dulion. Welcome to the Zoo.”