Chapter 2 - Shelter

Walking out of the alleyway I, metaphorically, and physically stepped out into a new world. The street I had walked out onto was crowded, and it was bright. It looked like a street you would find in the center of New York City. Taking a moment to soak it all in, I finally started inspecting the surroundings.

I looked up, a sign reading

[<--- Subway

Park--------->]

The first big choice that would decide my destiny: which faction will I align myself with? The subway homeless or the park homeless? Standing there I began to weigh to pros and cons of both. Subways had more shelter from the weather, however because of that the value of real estate is much higher in contrast. This means there would be a lot of fights, however if I established myself I would have a very good base to work around. Now what about parks? No shelter from the environment, however I reckon there is a much more pronounced sense of community since it is a public space that cannot be claimed.

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(Claire's POV)

"How many times will you be caught stealing before you learn that getting a slap on the wrists is considered a lenient punishment?!" I yelled at the boy who's ear I was twisting while walking down the street.

The boy, Lloyd, kept quiet. Knowing better than to make an excuse and to just wait for Claire's anger to fizzle out.

'These kids are driving me crazy! I give them a loving home (to the best of my ability), I use state funds to provide a place to stay, and I cook for them! What do I get in return? Daily calls reporting these kids' crimes!' taking a deep breath I took another sigh... then I yanked Lloyd's ear one more time before letting him walk on his own.

"Lloyd, what is going on in that little head of yours that makes you continuously make the wrong choices for your life?" I asked, looking at the small boy walking next to me on the sidewalk. However, when I caught a glimpse of his face, I saw a pained look on his face, following his gaze I looked across the street.

There stood a young boy, no more than 12 years old, looking around with a look that showed he knew nothing. Dirty clothes that looked like they were pulled from a dumpster, shaggy hair that covered his face, and no shoes. Claire felt a tinge of pain sweep by her heart. No one deserved to live like this. Claire was homeless as a young adult, leaving home due to abuse, she opted to live on the streets rather than with her abusive father. She awakened a low-ranking analytical talent : [Observation: Basic Needs]. It allowed her to read the levels of peoples' basic needs, such as hunger, cleanliness, and mental stability.

Using this talent she was much better at acting as a stand-in caretaker for orphaned youths, leftover from the aftermath of war or death from monsters.

Claire steeled herself and approached the boy with Lloyd following behind her.

********

'Okay! I've made up my mind, after careful consideration I think that being homeless in the park is my best move.' As I finished making my decision, I looked up to see a woman walking towards me. Blonde hair, 5 ft 6, a little tomboyish but definitely pretty. She also had a young boy with her, about 12 years old as well, he had curly red hair with freckles painting his nose and cheeks. He looked a little sad for some reason. I didn't know what was going on but I was ready to run at the first sign of trouble.

"Where do you live?" the woman said to me bluntly. Hand on her hip waiting for a response.

'...' Who asks someone they just met on the street that?! If I were a normal child who had apprehensions of stranger danger, I would have tried to lie and make my way into the crowd to run away. However, with my adult mind and lack of care for my own well being I just told her the truth.

"I'm homeless." was all I said. I stared at her face, admiring her features.

'I have to help him!' Claire thought to herself as she felt unnerved by the pre-teen staring at her. He showed no emotion, as if his statement was entirely normal and that that was all there ever was in his life.

"I run a shelter, for children like you, do you want to come and live there? There are children your age, and there will always be a roof over your head. No requirements other than going to school. How does that sound?"

'A shelter! WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THE POSSIBILITY THEY HAD THOSE IN THIS WORLD??!! Here I was debating on living in the subway or under bridges, when I could have been looking for homeless shelters or youth shelters. Taking my circumstances at face value could have led me to make a terrible decision. I needed to be more careful and prepared in the future.

Looking up at the woman I said, "I don't have a family, or a name, that I know of. I don't have any skills, but I am willing to learn to pull my weight."

The woman's face brightened immediately. I couldn't tell if she was genuinely that good natured, or if she just was overly expressive, but either way it was comfortable dealing with someone who's emotions were on the sleeves at all times.

She introduced me to the other boy, named Lloyd, and herself as Claire. She began walking, and while following her she spoke non-stop about everything. She told me about how she was homeless as a young adult, turned her life around and found her purpose.

Eventually she slowed down in front of an old, grey stone brick building, with two large Roman pillars to the left and right of the front door. The double doors had a unique wooden handle, and they were a rich maroon color. While the wood of the door itself was dried and worn down from years of wear, I could not take my eyes off the vibrance of the maroon wood. There were two stories to the building, indicated by the windows to the second floor, a total of six on the front of the building. It was an old building, and when compared to the more modern looking buildings in the surrounding, it was even shabby. However as Alistair looked at the building, he felt as if this is where he belonged at this very moment.