Missing Star

Chapter 10

Marissa 

My nerves were fried. Since the moment I had crawled from the bathroom window I was on edge. Once and only once had I stopped to look at a beautiful gray wolf. He was huge, at least 5 feet tall for the looks I wish I had more time to approach. By the time that thought had come to me so had the sounds of sirens. With reality hitting again I ran as fast as my legs could take me. 

I left everything I thought could track me. After three bus transfers to make sure I wasn't followed I arrived on campus. I was tired and ready to run any second. Then I walked into a local coffee shop and got a small black coffee. 

Then a poster caught my eye. Two-bedroom mobile home for rent. Available immediately. I asked the server where the mobile home park was. 

"O'sweety, that's just 10 minutes away. She took a napkin and wrote the bus number I needed and to ask for Mary" 

With that, I went to the park hoping and praying along the way that it was available and not too expensive. When I got off the bus there it was to the left Aurora Mobile Home Park. In front was a small addition to a small mobile home. In the window was a blinking neon sign that had the word open.  

There were two driveways that went around that home and circled the whole park. As I looked at the front door it was older and tattered. When I opened it a bell above chimed and it also made a squeak,  it made me jump just a little. But then out of nowhere, this older lady appeared at the desk. I jumped about a foot in the air and let out a shriek.

“ I’m sorry I didn't mean to scare you.” The elderly lady stated. “How can I help you this evening?” 

“Umm… yes, sorry. I saw an ad that said you had a 2 bedroom available for rent. I was wondering how much a month and what was included in the price” 

Grabbing a set of keys off the wall, she moved toward the door. “ Set your things down and come take a look at it. We’ll go over the info once you have seen the place.”   

I hesitated before putting my things down on the couch. Then I followed her down the road to the last trailer on the circle lot. The house was a light blue but still in good shape from the look of it. The stairs that led to the front door were older but sturdy. It had a metal security door that I liked. Once inside there was a bedroom to the right. It was small but still good with hardwood floors.

Going back towards the door there was a living room that turned into the kitchen.  Both were small but overall I loved it. The kitchen and bathroom were tilted while the rest was hardwood. It was overall in great shape. It came with some basic furniture like a queen and twin beds for the rooms, a small round glass table, and a loveseat.  It was going to need a few things but it was a place that I could call home. 

“Okay, I like that I see.” I said, “Can we talk about price?” 

“Straightforward, I like that. This place has not been rented in a while. Many find it unsettling since it is so close to the woods outback.” 

She opened the back door showing that there was a small fenced area. Then nothing but backwoods for miles. For others, it was scary but for me, it was an escape if need be. 

“Looks peaceful to me,” I said.

She nodded her head and sat down on the loveseat. There she laid out a few pieces of paper, I didn't even know she had. 

"So the lowest this goes for is 500.00 a month" she'd said looking up from the form. 

D*mn that was more than I could afford at this time. Just then a cat jumped on the counter I was standing next to. I got a feeling that she needs help. I looked at her and then she jumped off the counter and went out the door. So I followed her. She lead me to a small utility room, where another cat was there trying to give birth but the kitten was stuck. 

I ran out of the room to a small water valve to wash my hands. Then when I went back I opened the sack to the kitten so it could breathe. Then turning the kitten so the legs could come out on her next push. An hour later we had 5 new kittens and a happy and healthy mom. 

Going back to the trailer, the older lady was sitting on the loveseat waiting for me. “I’m sorry about that”. 

She waved her hand at me. “So it looks like you are good with animals?” 

“I guess so, I love all animals. That’s why I’m looking for a place close to the college. I am hoping to become a Vet.” 

“While it looks like we need a Vet around. A lot of us have animals around here but not the means to always get them help. So we are willing to lower the rent to 300.00 a month and you pay all the utilities. If you can help us with our spirit animals.” 

“I’d be more than happy to help them. But lowering the rent for it doesn't seem right. I don't want to be in debt to anyone.” 

She laughed, “Lovie, this is not a debt we are a close community. This would help us more than the money." 

After 30 mins of convincing and going over the year lease. I signed and put 6 months down. I got my bags and the keys closed myself off for the rest of the night into the next morning. 

Waking up at noon was a first. The only time that I had gotten to do that was at the hospital when I need surgery on my ankle from it being broken. But that was due to the meds and the doctor. They kept all my family out for three days. It was nice and I got to talk to a few different people. I was so small then though. 

But it was time to move on and get my new life going. The first thing was the utilities, with a few calls and a new cash load card I got the light and gas on. With the park, we shared the water and trash bills so that was good to go as well. Now I need to go find a few second-hand stores to get a few items for my new home.