Beneath The Mask

Deep in the rugged mountains of Welch, McDowell County, West Virginia, there was a forgotten town where hope was a rare luxury. Once famous for its booming coal mines, the town had slowly withered away after the mines closed. The streets were lined with vacant buildings, jobs were difficult to find, and many families struggled to put food on the table. Daniel Cole was twenty-six years old and had known nothing but poverty his whole life. His father had left Daniel and his hardworking mother when Daniel was ten years old. She sold vegetables in the local market from dawn until dusk, doing whatever was necessary to put a roof over their heads. But when she died of illness a few years later, Daniel had to drop out of school before his education. He could scarcely read or write. It was school instead, and the teen years were spent toting bricks, washing cars, unloading trucks, and taking whatever honest job he could find. Though he never had enough money, he refused to steal or hurt anyone to make ends meet. Life had taken away almost everything. But it had never stolen his kindness from him. “Daniel!” A familiar voice pulled him away from his thoughts. He spun around and grinned as Marcus hurried up. Marcus, his closest friend since childhood. They had walked the same dusty streets, hungered, and hunger, and dreamed of escaping the same poverty. "I've been looking all over for you," said Marcus. “You found me,” Daniel said with a smile. Marcus looked around, then lowered his voice. 'I got you a job. Daniel sighed. " "I already worked three jobs this week." "This one pays better. Daniel scowled. "What kind of work? 'I'll just help you carry some bags.' Daniel looked dubious. "I don't want any trouble, Marcus." "There will be no anyone."" one." won't have to fight someone? "Not anybody anybodyyhaanyone."anyone.""one" Marcus grinned. Daniel you never hurt anybody all your life. “You're just helping out with deliveries.” Daniel did not speak. His landlord had already threatened him with sleeping on the streets if he couldn’t pay his rent before the weekend. He finally nodded. “I’ll do it. Neither of them saw the black SUV parked across the street. Its tinted windows hid the people who watched them silently before the vehicle pulled away. --- 3 hours later... Daniel stood in a large warehouse on the outskirts of town. The place was weirdly organized. Men moved great wooden crates from one truck to another, silently, under the watchful eye of supervisors. No one used words wastefully. Nobody laughed. “Everybody just worked. A supervisor pointed to a stack of heavy crates. "You. Get them shifted." Daniel nodded his head. He hauled box after box for hours without asking for a single job. He didn’t care what was inside the crates. He had been hired to do an honest job and that was what he intended to do. When carefully. was complete, each laborer received a sealed envelope. Daniel opened his carefully His eyes opened. There was more money in that envelope than he"No,d made in twI have never. His hands shook. "This can’t be right." Marcus laughed. "No it isn'twell,never in my life have I seen so much money. Marcus grinned. I told you the job paid well. Daniel smiled at the envelope. "Well, at least now I can pay my rent." Marcus just smiled, and didn’t say anymore. --- The next day Marcus asked Daniel to accompany him to deliver a small package to one of the best hotels in New York City. It was Daniel’s first trip out of West Virginia. The buildings stretched up to the clouds, and each street looked like something out of old magazines. As soon as they entered the Grand Regent Hotel, Daniel felt like he didn’t belong. Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead, and polished marble floors mirrored the pelbots, guests circulating in the lobby. Daniel looked down at his worn jeans, faded boots and old shirt. "I don't think people like me are meant to be here," he whispered. “Marcus laughed. “We’re just cornerstone, for a delivery,” As they crossed the lobby— Bump! A young woman rounded a corner and a few books fell from her hands to the floor. Daniel jumped up instantly. "I'm sorry." He knelt down and picked up the books, which he held out to her cream-colored lovely face and froze the moment she looked at him. Dressed in an elegant cream colored dress, everything about her indicated wealth and privilege. "Don't touch my stuff," she snapped. Daniel instantly withdrew his hand. "I was only trying to help. I don't need your help. People nearby began to turn and look at them. Daniel looked at the floor. Sorry. She eyed him up and down slowly, taking in his worn clothes and dusty boots. “You don’t belong in a place like this.” Daniel said nothing. “People like you usually come here looking for something to steal. Marcus took a step-decency. "Miss, you've got the wrong idea. She didn't see him. “If you have any decency you should leave before security throws you out.” There was a whisper in the lobby. All eyes were on Daniel. His cheeks were hot. "Wasn't trying to stir the pot. She crossed her arms. “That doesn’t change who you are.” Words cut deep. Daniel laid her books on a nearby table. Sorry to break into your day. He was about to turn and go to the door without another word. Marcus followed, angry. Outside the hotel he caught Daniel by the shoulder. "Why didn't you fight back?" Daniel smiled wearily. You can't argue her out of it. "But she made a fool of you. Daniel looked out at the busy streets of New York. "Maybe if I saw someone dressed like me in a place like this, I'd think the same. Marcus shook his head. “That’s too good for this world.” At that moment a glossy black Rolls-Royce pulled away from the hotel entrance. Daniel entered the crowd. The young womanInstead, watched. She’d thought he’d fight. To insult her. Or even threaten her. Instead he kept apologizing, over and over, and then walked away quietly. A guilt she couldn't explain settled uneasily in her heart. Neither of them knew that this little meeting was the start of a love story that would shake the worlds they came from. One was of unimaginable riches. The other had nothing but his self-respect. Fate had already decreed that their paths would cross again.