The Story of Bernadette

Him

The days after my escape were a blur. I can remember being cold while sleeping on a park bench or having rocks thrown at me by children who would alway run away when I looked at them. It was painful, and the world was cruel, but I managed and stayed patient throughout it all. It only took a few days for it to be noticed, and when it was, I've never been happier. He was a very strict man. Even at this very moment, I'm sure he's scolding me from above. He was the first person who ever stopped and looked at me. Not with rage or worry but with compassion. He pitied me, and thanks to his pity, I was able to find a place to stay and a job. It was truly a blessing. He was extremely handsome and - Huh? Oh, right. I guess I was rambling on too much. Forgive me for that. Anyways, the point of the matter was that I no longer had to fight rats and stray dogs for any scraps I found in the garbage. I didn’t need to sleep under the benches just to escape the constant rain. I was safe, and I was well taken care of. That was all that I needed.

We continued to live happily for another 3 years. Why only 3? Well, because good things never last forever. You see, when he found me, his health was deteriorating. He was always very sick to the point where he would throw up blood. He told me that he would be better in time for my 17th birthday, but he never made it past my 15th.

I was devastated. He was the only person who had cared for me, but he was gone and soon reduced to nothing but rot. After a few months, I managed to earn enough money to have him cremated and planned to throw his ashes in the river, but my plans were stopped as I saw my father.

He looked awful if that really mattered. Try imagining a bitter, fat, and drug addicted crocodile that was brutally beaten and scarred. I don't think he saw me, but I knew that it would be a matter of time before he found me again. However, I couldn't just leave him there. So I decided to call one of my colleagues from work and ask him to do something that, if not done right, would cause both him and I to be arrested.