The Man Who Kept the Monsters Away

My lungs ached as I ran full speed, dodging and weaving the foot traffic on the street. If I didn’t make it, if I was late AGAIN, then I could kiss my job goodbye. Working at Joe’s, the corner coffee shop, was in no way glamorous or enriching. I down right hated my job, but my overdue bills require money and nothing else was panning out. I pushed into the alley behind the shop and took two vital seconds to catch my breath before going in the back door. I hit the timeclock at 5:01 and heard the office door open behind me “Elowynn, come into my office please” Joe called from the doorway. I could smell his BO already and didn’t wish to be enclosed with him in the closet he called an office. I squeezed past him, the creep made sure to crowd the doorway enough he could cop a feel. I sat in the cheap folding chair while he tossed himself down into the fancy leather chair behind the desk. I guess his comfort was paramount because the fat jerk never left his office to actually work anymore. Joe cleared his throat, “you were late again today, Elowynn.” I barely managed to swallow my sigh. “Please Joe, call me Winnie. It was only a minute, and I had trouble getting the time clock to read my finger again” Joe stared at me with a sickening gleam in his stupid beady eyes. “I get that Winnie, I do” ugh. Okay maybe him using my nickname was worse than my full name. “But I have a business to run and if you consistently get away with being late what does that say to the other employees” I knew where this was going, Prick. I swallowed my pride before begging, “I know Joe, and I am SO sorry, but it was only a minute. Please just overlook it this last time and give me one more chance.” Joe sat back in and his office chair made a sound like it was being tortured. “I suppose if you do something for me, I could do that for you. I am a single man and you are a single, attractive, young woman” oh, oh heck no. “Perhaps you could come have dinner with me and stay the night at my place tonight” he leered at my body and I felt physically ill at the thought of him touching me. I wasn’t about to give myself over to this disgusting pig. I’d be homeless first. “You know what Joe, I think this job isn’t working out after all.” I got up to leave. He stood faster than I’d ever seen him move before and blocked the door. “Let me out” “Now now, don’t be hasty, it’s a great offer Elowynn. I can be a VERY generous man, if you know what I mean.” He put his meaty hand on my hip and I could feel his damp palm through the thin shirt of my uniform. “Okay, I tried to turn you down as nicely as I could. You are what, 60? Older than my father. No way in hell am I sleeping with you for this shitty minimum wage hellhole” I tried to push past him, but he gripped my arm hard enough to bruise and spun me back around to face him. “Listen here you little b***h-“ I listened no further before kicking him as hard in the most sensitive part a male has. I turned and dashed out the back door. I ran for a couple blocks before throwing myself into the nearest bench as soon as I reached the park. I sat panting and looking around praying I didn’t see cops coming my way. The last thing I needed to do today was get an assault charge, since I already lost my job. Once I caught my breath I allowed myself to relax a little more into the bench. Thankfully I ran toward the nicer part of town in my mad dash to get away so I could rest easier. Unfortunately it was in the opposite direction of home. I pulled my phone out and opened the camera app, looking at myself in the screen. I noted my usual pale skin was flushed with a rose touched hue. My wide green eyes took in my wild copper hair falling out of the braid I threw it in this morning. Objectively I knew I was cute due in part to my smaller stature. I gave off small, helpless, female vibes that attracted the creeps I guess. I heaved a sigh and put my phone away. The job hunt could wait until I was back in my crappy studio apartment listening to my neighbors fighting all night before loudly making up tomorrow morning. I got up from the bench and started wondering the paths through the park. My stomach growling in displeasure at the fact I hadn’t eaten today. I made my way by memory to the corner of the park where West had his food stand. While he and I weren’t exactly friends, he knew the struggles I went through since we were in the same group home for a time. Trauma bonding in foster homes is a real thing, but media seems to exaggerate the bonds. “Winnie, you look like s**t” He said by way of greeting. “Thanks Jackass. I feel like s**t too.” I hefted a sigh “can I have a plain pretzel?” West rolled his eyes at me, “coming up, how’s the job at Joe’s? Mel was telling me about running into you there.” Wests wife, Melanie was possibly the sweetest person, and he didn’t come close to deserving her. “I am officially unemployed again, but that’s nothing new” I shrugged, trying not to let off how panicked I really was. I pulled my wallet out and handed West cash to cover my meager meal. West handed me the pretzel and shook his head, “Mel would cut me down if I made you pay, especially today.” He paused, seaming to need a second to gather his thoughts or his courage “Listen Winnie, if you ever need help… a meal or a place to crash… well, you’re always welcome at our place okay? I know it’s hard to accept help but Mel and me are always going to be here for you.” I swallowed hard, trying to push back the tears brimming in my eyes. I take it back, West and Mel were the best friends I ever had. “Thanks West, that means so much. I’m going to try to do this on my own, but if it gets bad I’ll come to you.” I looked over West shoulder as I saw a kid no older than 6 or 7 racing towards the road on a scooter, no adult in sight. Glancing up the road I saw a teen behind the wheel of a fancy sports car too busy texting to look where he was driving. “HEY KID LOOKOUT!” I screamed as I dropped my dinner and ran for dear life towards the boy. I tackled him out of the way as the car raced towards us and clipped my side. I tried my best to turn and take the brunt of the fall to protect this little boy. “WINNIE” I heard West scream. I looked down into the wide cocoa brown eyes of the little boy. “Are you okay?” I gasped out. “I-i think so” the little boy stammered. “Okay, that’s good” I said, rolling to the side and away from the boy. The last thing I heard before the world went black was a deep worried voice yelling for someone called Rowan.