Thread: Lost in a Labyrinth (SweetxVictorian)

Standing stoically in the pasta aisle, the realization that a box of ramen was out of her price range really made the severity of her poverty sink in. Emily had never seen hardship before. An only child born into the upper class, at no time had food on the table been a concern. Sifting through the change in her palm, the coins chimed dully over her skin thirty-six cents short. Her stormy eyes shifted down the aisle to glance at a middle-aged man. She envied his full cart. Frozen pizzas, sauces, even fresh produce. With an empty stomach the girl timidly inched towards the stranger. Excuse me, sir Explaining her lack of cash was embarrassing. Asking him for the remainder was downright painful. He seemed to understand her hardship while handing her the remainder she asked for. Weve all been there once, honey. Things will get better. It took Emily all of twenty seconds to thank the man, grab her food and make a straight line to the checkout counter. The cashier casually observed as she re-counted her change only to realize shed come up a couple pennies short. She threw her shoulders back in aggravation. The hunger was starting to affect her mood. I got you, the cashier offered. From his pocket he produced the pennies to complete the transaction. Emily thanked the second person of the day that had to give her money to eat. With a bruised ego she gathered her bag and held her hand out to accept the receipt. The cashier peered her over once more before speaking again. You look pretty active, he mumbled before beginning to scribble something on the backside of her receipt. Look, theres this address a buddy of mine told me to go to once when I said I thought I was going to be homeless. Its like a physical challenge or something to prove your survival skills. If you think you can hack it, theres supposed to be some kinda reward. If you dont have anything else to do why not try, he encouraged. When he was done the paper went to her hand and she read the address. This place is on Oak Street? Oak Street was one of those roads known for looming mansions and high-priced property. What the hell could possibly be out there for people that were strapped for cash? Turning slowly, she thanked the guy and made her way out the sliding doors. The ramen was tucked into her backpack while the receipt was stuffed into her pocket. After bumming hot water for her noodles out of a gas station she decided to rethink the opportunity. By the time she threw out the empty cup and mounted her bike, she was on her way to the mysterious location. The road grew steeper and steeper which eventually forced her off of her bicycle. Pushing on, she finally reached her destination at the very end of Oak Street. Emily paused to catch her breath and put herself together. Her fingers loosely combed through her hair in an attempt to tame it all. A light flannel shirt was pulled from her bag and buttoned before approaching the door with bike at her side. Emily paused for a moment. Was this really a good idea? It took roughly thirty seconds to recall the past few days of scrounging for meals to answer that question. Finally, with great determination, her index finger pressed firmly against the polished button at the side of the door.