There I saw that small zipper bag that man handed to me.

"Try it" was all I could remember from him.

I had no idea what it is and what it does.

I sat down and stared at it.

Not long later, I used it.

I felt great.

I felt normal and light.

It made me feel like a whole different person.

There, I started using drugs.

It made me feel sane and safe.

I used it for a while and came to see that man who gave me the sense of relief.

I wanted more.

More than I could ever imagine.

He gave me what I wanted..

But like I said,

Everyone wants something in return. In exchange for the drugs, he offered me to join their drug cartel.

All I had to do was "Share the experience" to others.

And I'll be payed with more than I could imagine.

I was in desperate need of money at the moment.

So I accepted.

In return, they also gave me protection.

The curse I embedded in myself is now broken.

I will not have to run away again.

I'm free.

I stayed there, for as long as I could remember.

The drugs helped me hold myself together

And the money that's given to me is more than I can desire.

I thought my life was leading to paradise.

But I was wrong.

Everything I ever was close to reaching,...just crashed before my eyes.

I only found out later on that what I'm doing was illegal and I felt even worse. I couldn't forgive myself.

Like I always do, I ran away.

I was scared I'd ruin my life forever if I kept going with this.

And then again, I spent another two years running and hiding.

I was lucky enough that they didn't know my real name. That was of huge help with hiding myself.

My boss at the laundry business later on found out that I've been a victim of drugs.

I reassured her I'm getting better and I haven't taken any for the past 2 years but she still kicked me out.

She swore that she'll keep her mouth shut about it, but she won't have me work there anymore. It was too much for her humanity's sake.

I wandered off, going home after that incident.

I was walking home, sad and sober.

I accidentally bumped into two teenagers who seem older than me.

You, sir Jaime, saved me that night.

"Yeah, I remember that."

Jaime said, having another big gulp of liquor.

It was after that incident I started to feel really sick and weak.

I stopped by the house my parents abandoned me in. 

Luckily, it was still there. Even though I was overdue for a couple of months.

I still took care of that house even though I don't always crash there.

I stayed there until eventually, I got better.

With the remaining savings I had found from one of the drawers, I bought myself a phone.

I tried submitting resumes to different jobs.

I wanted to live normal again.

Luckily, after a few days, someone called me in for an interview.

Apparently, you know what happened after that.

"I asked my landlord if she could give me time to gather some money, but unfortunately,

She kicked me out just minutes ago.

Now, I'm stuck with no home, no money, and spent the last of it for a damn bottle of beer.

Pleasant as you might say." 

I said, gulping the last bit of liquor.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I was stunned with what I heard just now.

I was lost at words and tried my best to process what I just learned.

Not only were my assumptions wrong, they were worse than that!

All this time, Mei had been doing everything on her own.

With no guidance of older noble men, she lost her way multiple times. I'm surprised she even dug her way out of situations.

A modern survivor.

I felt even more sorry, I could've done something to help her,

But I neglected that and only stood by with assumptions.

Of course, I had to make up for it.

"I won't mind if you'd like to crash over my place."

Mei's eyes widened, she couldn't believe what she just heard.

Maybe the shock overwhelmed her too much that she was lost at words.

"Ya don't have anywhere to stay anyway, you're also at risk for getting yer'self killed if you're out in the open.

I don't see a problem if I lend a hand.

I glanced and saw Mei bursting into tears.

Her eyes filled with it, and her hands itching for a hug.

Overwhelmed with the situation, I think I just gave this kid hope again.

The sun was going down, and I suggested we'd go home now.

When we arrived, she said nothing but thank you.

I felt happy I was of help.

I made her dinner. Lots of 'em.

She ate like she's been starving herself for weeks.

Its sad to know that she's been having it extra rough when she should also be enjoying youth.

I gave her pillows and blankets to help keep her warm.

Luckily, the couch I bought way back can fold into a bed.

I let her sleep there and boy, she slept peacefully.

She slept like nothing around her was going on.

I sat down and sunk into my thoughts.

I need to find a way to help her.

I thought of contributing to her tuition until the end of the school year.

I'd help her find a job that'll settle her down a bit.

Of course, I won't be exposing her outside too much, so I thought she could apply for online jobs.

I'll help her in that way,

It'll be convenient and a distraction as well.

I don't want her to mingle at the past.

She's young, and she should feel young.

All that and I started to cry. Maybe it was overwhelming to think that the little things I do to help her, will mean even greater for her.

I want her to experience youth like any other child should go through.

I stayed up all night, searching for online jobs available and suitable for someone her age.

Abd tomorrow, since it's the weekend, I'd figured I'll take her to the mall and parks.

Hope is something important to her right now.

And I want to give that.