The stranger

Laundry hell

Lauri wheeled a large basket filled with clothes from the trailer, including a pair of boxers she'd obviously tossed in the garbage since it was stained and emitting a foul odor. After scrounging up some quarters, she headed to the neighborhood laundromat. With enough for three loads, she filled the machines with clothes and detergent, realizing she was still short for the remaining laundry. Stepping outside, she searched for earthworms in the dampest spot in the neighborhood, filling empty margarine tubs she had brought. With three full containers, she made her way to Francis' shop near the dock.

The little bell rang as Lauri entered, prompting Francis to raise his thick eyebrows in surprise before his mustache curled into a smile.

Francis: Oh hello there little mouse. Long time no see, what can I do for you?

Lauri: I went to get you worms... I kind of need some money for the laundromat.

Francis: Pleasure!

He reached for his wallet and bought her the three bowls of worms for $30. She held back an eye roll. She hated pity. She took the money with a grimace.

Lauri: Last time you gave me 15.

Francis: Last time you had two small pots, now they're bigger and there are three.

Lauri: Right... Sorry. Have a good day Frank.

Francis: Anytime!

She celebrated her newfound money by allocating it for various necessities. Skipping to the corner grocery store, she grabbed pasta and sauce, ensuring she could eat for the week. With enough left over for laundry and perhaps some Tylenol for her relentless headache, she stopped by the pharmacy before returning to the laundromat to finish the rest of the laundry.

Sitting down, she realized she had an hour to spare before the laundry would be ready to dry. She decided to visit the library to return the books she had borrowed and pick up some new ones. However, the librarian insisted she stay in the young adult section, so she reluctantly browsed the books there. She picked up a book about dinosaurs, another about marine creatures, and a romantic comedy. With her books in hand, she returned to the laundromat to read them in peace.

That's when Kim and her gang noticed her trough the window, though she didn't realize it until they entered the small vestibule to mock her for her poverty. She tried to ignore them, engrossed in her book, until one of the girls ripped it from her hands, and the rest trampled on it. She attempted to stop them, but a forceful shove sent her crashing to the ground, banging her nose on the floor. Kim paused to watch her bleed, laughing cruelly.

Kim: Now you and your brother really look alike!

Sophie: Come on let's go get ice cream!

With another group laugh, they were gone, leaving her feeling lonely and scared, her nose likely broken. "There's no way my brother has the money for the hospital..." Tears streamed down her cheeks as she looked at her injured nose. Swallowing two Tylenols, she attempted to clean the wound in the bathroom, trying to stop crying, but the pain intensified.

She then went to assess the damage to the book. There was no way she could return it in its current condition, and she didn't have the money to pay for the damages. She would likely be banned from the library or, at the very least, incur a debt. She cried harder before forcing herself to pull it together and transfer the laundry to the dryer.

She remained motionless, waiting for the laundry to dry. Once it was done, she started folding the clothes. But then her blood turned to ice, her heart stopped beating, and a panic attack shook her veins. She had forgotten to empty the pockets before putting them in the washer, and she found three sachets of small plastic bags belonging to her brother. Obviously, there was either nothing left or some sort of wet white powder that was beginning to stain her fingers. Her pounding heart knew that if he found out, she was in for a rough time. "Sh*t... sh*t! Sh*t! Sh*t!"

Fear overwhelmed her, momentarily numbing the pain throbbing throughout her face. Even after folding the laundry, she hesitated to return home, but eventually, she forced herself to do so. Dragging the cart to the trailer, she could hear her brother's screams and the sound of objects being thrown, further heightening her fear. He had definitely noticed the missing sachets.

As she approached, her brother violently flung open the door. His eyes, red with fury, locked onto her, and she knew she had to flee. Fear propelled her into action, and she ran as fast as she could. Her shoes gave out, forcing her to continue barefoot along the street, her brother's screams echoing behind her.

She ran until she reached the forest behind the Alvarez's house, where she collided with a solid chest before collapsing to the ground.

The pain in her nose intensified sharply upon impact, tears streaming uncontrollably as she struggled to catch her breath. Hyperventilating, her body succumbed to the overwhelming pressure and pain, and she expelled it violently in a loud vomit before blacking out.

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She found herself in a dimly lit room, buried under a pile of blankets she didn't remember falling asleep in. When she stood up, she noticed she was wearing a different sweater, slightly too big for her. Glancing around, she realized the room was surprisingly spacious. There was the heap of blankets and a lone pillow in one corner, where she had woken up. On the other side of the room, a cluttered table displayed an array of art supplies, and an impressive canvas stood propped against the wall, as if waiting for its moment in a gallery. The floor in that area was covered with a protective tarp, splattered with paint, and the wall was adorned with drawings. The light from the window peeked through the curtains, casting a soft glow on the scene. She examined the drawings, some depicting Rift monsters, others showcasing serene landscapes and the Cooper house nestled in the woods.

The fear that gripped her when she woke up quickly dissipated, replaced by a sense of calmness as she realized she no longer felt any pain in her nose or head. She tentatively touched her nose, finding it as if none of the ordeal had ever happened. Taking a deep breath, she caught the scent of nature and earth, a fragrance she adored. Glancing again at the pile of blankets, she discovered an old pair of hiking shoes and socks. Without hesitation, she slipped them on and tiptoed out of the room.

Silently, she found herself in the living room, where various items lay scattered about. A completed puzzle lay on the floor alongside various objects like a Rubik's cube, some matchstick sculptures of a house, and other miscellaneous items. A large bookshelf adorned one wall, and a fireplace with another pile of blankets in front of it made the room feel cozy. There were photos in a box that she couldn't resist looking at. It must have been the family who lived here before: a red-haired woman holding twin toddlers by the hand, photos of the twins playing together... Everything seemed chaotic yet somehow orderly. She continued to explore until she attempted to open a door that likely led to another room, but before she could, the sound of a lighter made her jump.

She turned and discovered a person with long, silky red hair lighting a joint. Their black eyes followed her every move, freckles dotted their face. Their lips were full and red, resembling a woman's, but their facial features were masculine, and they didn't seem to have breasts. Despite their small height, thin silhouette, and the lazy way they sat on the kitchen chair, this person exuded a sense of masculinity and strength.

She stood there, watching the stranger who scrutinized her, looking like he didn't trust her one bit.