I always wondered what lies beneath the veil of normalcy.
An orchestra of sounds filled the morning air. Gentle breezes and songs of birds played in harmony, only disturbed by the furious scratching of a pen against parchment. Words formed on the page, though writing was messy; letters mismatched; and punctuation was non-existent. Even through this it held the question everyone asks "Do I need change?"
Great the pen exploded. I quickly released the pen to avoid further staining my hands, as ink had already splattered onto my arm. Only three days had passed since I had bought that pen with money saved from work. Clueless on how it may have exploded, I turn to wash my hands using my elbow to access the water of the faucet but when I turned it on nothing came out. "What the? why isn't anything coming out did the pipes burst?" Quickly checking under the sink, I find the pipes still in working condition.
As if the answer wanted to be so plainly perceived I heard a knock at my door. rising quickly I walk over carefully opening the door as to not coat the nob my sight is rudely overtaken by a large stomach straining the cloth of a shirt. "Hello Aspen, I see you have noticed your water has been turned off." he says with a sly grin revealing decayed yellow teeth the likes of which you could almost smell. "Yes, I have noticed that why did you turn it off Sinizel?" The man in front of me is my landlord a vainglorious man selfish and greedy as anyone who owns large numbers of properties is.
He does not care to make eye contact with me; instead, his eyes roam over the interior of the house. "What do you mean, Aspen? I sent out a notice that I was increasing the prices of living expenses. Understand as you may try but a man needs to make a living especially from the inflation of prices from the city loosing some funding." His face distorts to mock innocence, knowing well that this isn't an issue only he faces. "What's the new price?" I ask already knowing whatever number he says will cost me much more time to earn.
"Straight to the point huh? 10 more valor for water 20 for electricity and 40 for rent." My stomach drops listening to the price feeling as if I had been stabbed through the gut my first reaction is to bargain. "70 more valor is a large spike, is there maybe some way to bring that down?" I say trying to maintain confidence though my heart slams against my ribs with each beat. From this his grin returns, widening before being quickly hidden as he rubs his chin, making a sound I can only relate to sandpaper on wood. "You know Aspen you're quite the unique person looks wise..." Knowing where he's going I cut him off "No, not agreeing to that now or ever." His face seems to wrinkle at the rejection before quickly returning to his usual sleezy look. "Well, if you can't pay by the due date I will have to evict you." He says turning his back on me, closing the door, his usual sign that he is not going to bargain.
70 valor is too much; originally, the price for occupation was only 140 valor. With this 150% increase, I feel as if I'm doomed. Returning to clean the mess in my room, my mind is racing as I try to find a way out. Nothing comes to mind. Either I get another place or another job to pay for this place. Beginning to look around, I try to find something that I might be able to sell to make the next payment. Barren as my home always is, there's nothing to save me this time; I have no fallback option; I am screwed. Falling to my bed already mentally preparing to becoming homeless.
It isn't over; not yet. I pull myself from the sheets as it will not help me to sit idle while I have issues that could be solved. Making my way off my bed I prepare to slip on my uniform to make my way to work. Times like this remind me why I have trouble sleeping and why I have to save for a simple pen; it is the struggle that keeps me on my toes. Walking to the door, I head out to my simple yet honest job. Working as a delivery person I know people, lots of people from stores and businesses which I consider a bonus. From the act of carrying boxes or items back and forth between locations A and B, I make a living.
I find myself meeting with my manager after being hastily ushered into his office. He sits down at his desk, wiping sweat from his forehead, his appearance is rather different from his normal formal attire. Disheveled with a loosened tie and untucked shirt, he catches his breath and begins, "Thank God, Aspen, we have been swamped by orders all day; which means things are moving. I have been finding myself needing to run orders, which is frankly absurd. Now to the point, Aspen I have an proposition for you I have a rush order I need you to take care of and if you are able to complete by today I will give you a bonus." He slides a piece of paper across the desk with the information for the order. The order is addressed to the Northern Industrial Sector, meaning it's on the other side of the city.
Looking to my manager I ask the question on my mind "How much would the bonus be?" He sighs "Well the client paid a handsome sum due to the distance it is from the office and the rush so I'm offering 150 valor." I feel the life return to my face, the ability to survive a little longer, the chance to try for stability. Quickly I say "I accept, I will do it, I will get it there on time." He nods and stands up stretching "I'm putting my trust in you Aspen don't mess it up." Already taking the paper, I begin writing down the necessary information on a small company-issued notepad before getting up, gathering the parcel, and leaving hastily.
Walking through the streets I take in the ambience, the cool breeze of the spring air mixed in with fog. Sunlight beams shine through gaps in the mist it creating a medium between shadows and light like a graceful shade. As I walk away from the residential areas the crowd dwindles into a few people walking only passing each other on occasion. Gravel crunches satisfyingly under my shoes even in my hasted pace making this walk peaceful even with the worries on my rent I find solace in the moments like these
Eventually, I decide to take a rest within a cafe as my stomach growls from forgetting to eat due to both the pen and the rent increase. Ordering a simple coffee and muffin I take the time to go into the bathroom and touch up my appearance. Gently splashing some water on my face rinsing it off. Leaving the bathroom I find my coffee and muffin ready taking my order I pay sitting down eating quickly finishing. As I ready to leave a series of distinct sharp loud pops sound from just outside. Gunshots and they sound close too close. Quickly my instincts take over diving under the table. My heart begins pounding breath gaining the weight of panic my mind races and the thought slamming over and over in my head 'Am I going to die?'