Desperation [Story]

Prologue. Katrina sat on the cold metal bars of her high school’s fence, staring with her cold blue-grey eyes as the students of the school began to leave the building. Those who saw her perched up high upon the fence averted their gaze immediately due to their pity and fear. Even the teachers pretended to take no notice of Katrina though she was clearly breaking school rules. Katrina played with her long dark blonde hair that fell to her waist as she waited. Finally, when the last person (the janitor) had left the school, Katrina jumped gracefully off the fence and headed towards the building, her blue summer dress flowing swiftly as she walked.

She pulled on the handle of the great, blue steel doors that marked the entrance of the school and took a soft step inside. Slowly, with no hurry, she climbed the two flights of stairs that took her to the top floor. Her steps echoed throughout the hallway as she walked towards an oak door. Katrina, without hesitation, opened the door and smiled when she saw an old but familiar flight of stairs. Gently, she ascended.

Katrina’s eyes glimmered as she viewed the city from the school’s rooftop. She moved to the edge of the roof, knowing very well that a drop from that height could cause her to go into a coma. She was a delinquent, but she certainly wasn’t stupid enough to kill herself. As she silently viewed the city scenery, she felt a tap on her shoulder. It was time.

She followed the man, a man who she had never met before and one who was dressed entirely in black, down the several flights of stairs and into his car. Katrina always treated her clients well and in turn they had always treated her generously too. She respected his privacy by not asking his name, but rather just went with the flow. This was awarded greatly with a five hundred dollar tip. Ah, life was simple as long as you could use your brain a little.

Later that night, Katrina wandered the streets of her old neighbourhood, taking in all the familiar sights. She had no place where she belonged, but she was not upset with this fact. She knelt down and picked up a pebble that was lying near the sidewalk, her hair nearly touching the ground. Then she kept walking until she found the house she was looking for. It was a modern day house that was painted a light blue and had a ‘fresh’ look to it. Katrina smiled as she saw that the window on the right of the house emitted light. He was home and awake. Katrina chucked the pebble lightly, hoping the noise would not disrupt those that were asleep. She saw the light flicker off and a soft thump emitting from the house.

A nine-year old boy timidly came out. His footsteps made virtually no sound. He held out his fingers. Two. Then quickly, ten. Then slowly, four. Twenty four days. Katrina’s smile was wiped off her face. She placed the money that she had earned today in the boy’s hands. A thousand dollars. The boy took the money, but he shook his head. He didn’t want Katrina suffering and deep inside, she knew she didn’t want to either. Still, the operation was twenty thousand dollars. They only had six. The problem was that the clients were not always as generous as the man had been today. To get fourteen thousand in twenty eight days was going to be a challenge and a risk for her. She was already limiting her food intake to whatever the client would give her and sometimes that was none.

Katrina smiled gently at the boy and then started to walk away. Her summer dress was getting more torn each day; she would need to salvage twenty dollars tomorrow to buy a new one. She didn’t know how much she would earn tomorrow, but she hoped she would make enough before it was too late. Katrina sighed as she made her way slowly to the outskirts of town where a generous old lady would shelter her for the night. She was merely taking advantage of the lady’s kindness. Despite the old lady’s wishes, she would not consider the house her home.

She lied down on the mat that was provided for her while being careful not to wrinkle her dress. She closed her eyes, unafraid of nightmares or what awaited her tomorrow, and fell asleep with her heart filled with desperation.

First day. Katrina woke up to find the old lady missing from her bed. She moved softly down the old wooden stairs and was surprised to find the lady not in the kitchen. Calmly, Katrina put her sandals on and went outside. There, collapsed on the sidewalk, was the lady. Katrina, her eyes emotionless, went back inside the house and phoned the ambulance. Then she rushed over to the old lady to check if she was still alive. She was. Katrina breathed out in relief. Then, knowing the fuss it would cause if she were to be found inside the house of someone she had no relation with, she began to walk away from the neighbourhood. She had no time to waste on papers or explanations.

It was June; the Sun was beating down on the citizens of the city. Despite her usual coldness towards the old lady, Katrina hoped that the she would be alright. Katrina paused for a moment when she heard an ambulance in the distance, and then she carried on with her route to the far side of town. The client had wished to meet her in an old abandoned café and how could she deny it when she was so need of the money?

That night, she earned four hundred dollars (excluding the twenty dollars she spent on a beautiful gothic black dress.) They now had six thousand and four hundred dollars and twenty three days left. The clock was ticking. Also that night, the old lady died. The lady, in her will, had given the house to Katrina, but Katrina never returned to the house to see the will’s statement posted upon the door. She chose, instead, to live in the streets where one could easily fall ill.

Second day. Katrina woke with a painful headache. She was not used to sleeping on park benches. She was lucky it was June though; no rain or coldness would cause trouble for her. She opened her shiny pink cell phone that she had tucked into her silky black dress pocket last night. Today’s client was quite dangerous. He wished to meet her in a downtown pub, a pub that would be quite hard to get in even with her fake id.

By the time she managed to seduce the security guard enough to let her in, the client was already waiting impatiently. She figured she would lose her tip if she didn’t do a well enough job. Katrina gave a quick sigh, and then gave a fake but convincing grin at her client. Together they departed the pub and went on to do their business.

Business was good that night. She earned eight hundred dollars, bringing their total to seven thousand and two hundred dollars. They had twenty two days left. Time was impatient; it would not wait for her. Katrina had a nightmare that night has she slept on another park bench.

Third day. Katrina’s beautiful blonde hair was getting greasy. She woke up early so she could rinse her hair in the park fountain. The water was dirty, but so was she. She pulled out her pearl embed comb and ran it through her hair. Her comb was the only valuable item her parents had left her. She knew it would sell for a couple hundred and she knew that she would have to depart with it eventually. It was all for his sake.

Disaster struck that day. No clients asked for her. Katrina sighed and pulled out a wrinkled five dollar bill that she had taken from yesterday’s client. She would have to feed herself. She bought a hamburger from the nearby fast food restaurant. She exited the franchise with her hair sparkling from the wind and it’s park fountain wash. She was about to eat it when she noticed a weak old man who looked like he could barely stand. She gave up her only meal for that day.

Since no clients requested for her, she would have to find one herself. There was no way that she could return to him empty handed. She earned two hundred dollars from various clients. Today had been a bad day. Their total was seven thousand and four hundred.

Fourth day. Katrina fell ill. She could not work that day, despite the fact that two clients had requested for her. She was losing business this way, but she would get scolded if she gave her clients her cold. She couldn’t bear to face him without any money.

Fifth day. The cold got worse, instead of better. A generous couple took pity on her and bought her some medicine. Katrina smiled at them and her cold blue-grey eyes turned brighter for an instant. She had to get better by tomorrow or her clients would stop asking for her. Late at night, Katrina bathed herself in the fountain, hoping to cleanse her body of germs. It was cold and her body was shivering. She regretted it.

Sixth day. She was well again and she felt extremely refreshed. Perhaps it was the medicine that did the trick or maybe it was the late night bath in the fountain. She felt ready for anything. Luck was with her that day; a client had requested her and his text message suggested a large tip if she did well.

And she did do well that night. She earned a total of a thousand and two hundred. They had eight thousand and six hundred dollars and seventeen days left. Katrina began to worry. She was getting less beautiful each day and they still needed so much. She began to blame his aunt and uncle for they did nothing to help their nephew’s condition.

Seventh day. Katrina woke up with a great feeling of hopelessness. She checked her cell phone and found in despair that there were no clients for her. Holding her tears in, she began to walk towards her high school. It was the last day of school. Katrina lifted herself up and sat on the cold metal fence. While doing that, she scratched her hands. Blood began to spew out without control. She licked it. Bitter. After a while it stopped, but the taste of blood lingered in her mouth.

A bell rang from within the school and soon enough, the students began to leave. Many cheered because of the end of school and many grimaced from their report cards. Her eyes fell upon a familiar face and he was walking right towards her. Cory. He told Katrina that he had missed her when she dropped out of school at the beginning of the year. He reminded her of how they used to be best friends and told each other everything. They were both on the verge of tears.

Katrina hopped off the fence and touched her old best friend’s light brown hair. She smiled, but not at him. It seemed like she was looking right through him. Cory asked her if she needed a job. She didn’t reply. He told her that she could work at his father’s restaurant if she wanted. When Katrina gave no reply, he began to walk away. She followed him.

Their friendship which was lost almost a year ago could not be repaired, but Cory pitied her. He knew how torn up she was after her parents died and left her virtually nothing. Even her home had disappeared. He hoped that if she had an honest job, she could live an honest life. When they arrived at his father’s restaurant, they stared at each other for a moment. His earnest green eyes told her that he no longer knew who she was. Her cold blue-grey eyes told him that she didn’t care what she was.

Katrina was always a good actor though. She fit in well with the other waitresses at the restaurant. She decided that she work there during the day and go to her clients at night. It would be tiring, but if she worked hard enough, she would have enough for the operation. Cory offered to give a free meal at the end of her shift, but she declined. Katrina knew that he was taking pity on her and she didn’t like it. Still, she showed her gratitude for the job by giving a brief hug to him and a genuine smile.

At night, she found her own clients.

Eighth day. His condition is getting worse each day and Katrina gets more and more concerned. She does not get her pay check for another four days and she can’t bear to him suffer. They have gathered a total of nine thousand and one hundred dollars. Time is running out for him and Katrina can barely handle the stress. Her beautiful pale skin has become wrinkled and her dark blonde hair has started to fall out. They are both dying.

Ninth day. The total amount of money rises to ten thousand and his aunt and uncle still refuse to help. They are half way there. He is smiling more now and telling her to stop working so hard. Katrina refuses: if she doesn’t work hard for him, who will?

Tenth day. The amount rises to ten thousand, eight hundred.

Eleventh day. Katrina’s back aches from sleeping on park benches for so long. Her dark blonde hair is dry and threatens to leave altogether. She has lost twenty pounds since the first day. Her eyes are bitter cold and her mind is focused on gathering money. She has almost lost the will to live. She works herself too hard, but has managed to bring the total to twelve thousand.

Twelfth day. Katrina receives her pay check from Cory’s father. A smile returns to her face as she sees a thousand and two hundred dollar pay check. She had worked hard to win the guests over and received high tips from many of the customers. Things were paying off. She was so delighted by the pay check that she even kissed Cory on the cheek. It was then that Cory realized what Katrina was doing. She was killing herself for this money. No longer was Katrina the strong young lady that she once was, she was weak and incredibly fragile. Her beauty has begun to fade, something that naturally happens with age was happening to her at an alarming rate. Cory, however concerned, could do nothing to stop it. She would no longer listen to his reasoning.

Katrina has become isolated from the world. She only sees what she needs to see. Her dreams blend in with reality. The correct term to describe at this point is zombie.

Thirteenth day. Fourteen thousand. The goal is close and Katrina knows she will have to keep working hard. Late at night, she takes another rinse in the park fountain. This time she is caught. She runs, but her long hair slows her down. The security guard lets her go this time when he sees what condition she is in. She doesn’t cry for the tears escape her. She doesn’t say anything.

Katrina leaves the park benches and searches for somewhere else to sleep. Cory spots her walking in the darkness and invites her inside his house. Katrina does not reply, but her icy cold eyes tell Cory everything he needs to know. He turns to his parents and explains that Katrina has nowhere to go. His family is generous and they welcome Katrina with open arms. She is tired and her dress is torn, she smiles meekly and accepts their offer. She slept well.

Fourteenth day. The worst has come. His sickness has gotten worse. Katrina prays although she does not believe in God. She hopes for a miracle. The new diagnosis only gives her five more days. Katrina bursts into tears. Those tears that were gone yesterday have come back for her. She tries to smile for him, but her smiles no longer look real. She considers asking Cory for help in getting the last six thousand, but erases the thought from her mind. She doesn’t want anyone to know what she’s doing. Cory’s family would surely be concerned. Katrina, wiping the tears with a tissue, prepares for her next client.

Fifteenth day. Katrina’s headaches have gotten worse. When she woke up, she felt a migraine that was worse than all the others before combined. She held back her tears that if unleashed she feared would destroy her. It was early in the morning. Katrina borrowed the family’s bathroom and groomed herself despite the enormous pain coming from her head. She noticed it then. Her skin was covered with lumps and was deeply swollen. Her migraine turned out to be a really bad fever. She had learned about this in school. Katrina was infected with AIDS.

She knew that in her condition, she could no longer work. She still had fifty dollars in her dress pocket. Katrina knew that with her weak body, death was inevitable. She didn’t cry though, she had no time for it. She exited the house and went into the nearest clothing store. She purchased a long sleeved brown dress that covered her legs. It looked horrible but it would do. She also purchased a brown sweater. After changing into her new attire, she covered her face with the hood and headed back towards the house.

Cory had just woken up and was surprised to see Katrina wearing such a thick dress in the heat. Katrina asked for wrapping paper, lined paper, and a pen. Cory complied without a question. He had some idea of what she was up to. Katrina carefully wrapped her prized comb with the wrapping paper and quickly wrote a letter. Then she waited until Cory and his family were all at their dining table. She pleasantly refused breakfast and gave her thanks. She said her goodbyes and began to walk towards the post office. Cory followed her.

After Katrina sent her package on its way, she spoke with Cory. He wanted to know why she was leaving and where she would go. She did not reply, instead she began to walk in the direction of the high school. Having nothing better to do, Cory followed her.

It was the weekend, the school would not be open, but the doors were always unlocked even on the weekend. She went up the three flights of stairs and then stopped at the roof top. She moved to the edge of the roof. Cory, thinking that Katrina would commit suicide, grabbed her back and pulled her down to the roof floor. Katrina shook her head and showed Cory the sores on her arms and legs. She explained that she merely wanted to see the city view from the roof top once more. Her eyes were filled with sorrow and even a bit of regret.

Katrina gave Cory a smile that he would never forget. Then she fainted.

Sixteenth day. Katrina lies in a coma in the hospital that Cory brought her to. She shows no signs of waking up. The nine-year old boy that Katrina cared so much for, Hero, read her letter and began to cry. They were six thousand away from their goal.

Seventeenth day. Katrina is relieved from her coma. Her prized comb sold for twenty thousand dollars.

Eighteenth day. Katrina’s funeral is hosted by Cory’s family. They and all the staff from the restaurant attend. Hero receives his operation. It is a success.

Twenty-fifth day. Cory meets Hero at Katrina’s gravestone. Tears are shed. Memories are shared.

Life goes on.