Archie's Escape

Part 6

The door creaks when she opens it. Philomena bends over gripping the handle for dear life in hopes that it would increase her chances of being undetectable.

"six thirty-five!" Peace yells at her before she even takes off her shoes

"I know its late aunty but it was the bus. It took a detour along Mayfield and broke down"

"Mhmm" Peace dismissively waves her away

Philomena switches her clothes for a more casual look of black leggings and tattered shirt before going down the stairs to set the table and cook dinner.

Its quarter to eight when she finally sets the big serving of shrimp stir fry at the centre of the table. Just in time for James and Peace to take a seat at the table

"your mother called to thank me for the money. All that I do for her and she only appreciates when I put money in her bank" Philomena freezes remembering what she did in order to get the money. The shame rolls off her in waves as James has a proud smirk on his face "where did you get that money from?"

"I cleaned someones house" on my knees. She thinks to add but doesn't

"Who's house Philomena" she freezes again wondering what to say

"A friend of mines. Her parents needed a maid and I signed up for it. Yesterday was my first day" the conversation seems to have come to an end when Peace dismissively waves her hand

"That's a lie mommy" Stella declares strolling in with her clicking heels "she has been sleeping with men for money. I saw them together today with my own eyes and can you believe that Philomena pushed a guy on the floor and called him poor when he asked her out. Then she left with another man in a fancy car" Stella smiles proudly. Cutlery banging against the table draws all eyes to a scowling James at the end of the table

"Is that true" Philomena notices his teeth grinding against each other

"No that never happened"

"And why would it" Peace jumps in "her own parents did not want her and you expect rich people to. Now this I can't believe" Stellas mouth drops in shock "shut your mouth!" she yells at her frozen daughter

Beer Palace

The name signs shines bright in neon red making the already eerie neighbourhood captivating. It was only a year ago when Philomena stumbled on this place. She had fallen asleep on the bus and woke up in another neighbourhood miles away from her home.

Through her carelessness she found this place had karaoke nights and paid the singers a little token for each performance and has since become a regular at the bar.

"You good tony?" the guard smiles at her greeting and lets her in through the back door.

"Make me proud baby girl" he is awfully sweet for a big burly man with a bear full enough to be braided.

"Hell yeah I will" she hides in the corner watching an unsuspecting Eli busying himself with selecting the next song "gotcha!" she jumps out scaring him

"You need to grow up" he holds his chest with his tattooed hand

"Who would be your baby if i do" she lifts her chin in challenge. Eli smiles at her fake confidence before hugging her

"Have you met me, everyone wants to be my baby" she scoffs

She sees a few new names on the list of performers but is ultimately put first. Whilst performing she spots a certain grey eyes Archie sitting alone with a bottle of whisky in hand

His eyes looks closed off but he is analyzing everything about the woman on the stage who never ceases to surprise him. His eyes stay locked on her all through the performance making her feels more nervous.

It's like life is purposely making them cross paths constantly even though both of them are in no place to meet each other. She begins to feel like the song is for him the longer his eyes stay locked on her. Unable to help herself, she joins the challenge with an inquisitive look of her own.

Philomena gets off the stage after her time for the next person to go on and makes her way to a waiting Eli and big beer bellied Silas. The manager of the bar

"Whew chile you had the yeah.." Eli imitates her singing "You only sing like that when someone has pissed you off, tell me who it was. You know that I will have him running off like the little bi_ahh" S.M.A.C.K

"You better not finish that statement, Eli. You never listen when I tell you to be careful with your words around children" Silas puts the binder aside to pull his already waist high pants further up "Here's your pay. Get home safe sweetie" he rushes off again

"I swear that man does not know when to stop. Gotta get back to work baby girl" he hugs her "call me for anything okay"

"Okay" Philomena leaves through the exit and back into the eerie dark streets heading for the bus stop

Her feet pads against the concrete floor. Picking up speed by the second as does her breathing. The wind blows her braids in every angle further adding to her feeling of being watched. The smallest movement scares her but she keeps going with the goal to get on the first bus.

"No, no! Please don't leave me!" she screams at the leaving bus "he saw me and he still left. what a prick" she says to herself

Being full of rage for the driver she kicks the nearest thing to release tension. Only to miss the waiting garbage can for air almost falling on her back

"Tell me, is anyone safe from your rage my little fox" she turns around to face him again with a new target in mind. Seconds tick by with them both staring at each other. One in wonder and the other in rage "Come on, I'll give you a ride"

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