Uncover - Charlotte and @open
Wandering the north western part of BC without the snow and cold had certainly changed matters to the better, and a certain Rag Doll enjoyed the weather during the afternoon. She no longer needed to wear thick jackets and scarfs. Her favorite red woolen and acrylic sweater was good enough in the cold wind, and with the gentle sun outside, it was all in all a nice day. Despite this, the ghetto streets were almost empty. The occasional people looking for either stuff in the trash, or coins in the drains passed the strange girl with scrutinizing looks, but as Charlotte stepped up a staircase to get a better view of the place, she got a smile from a mother who was busy hanging up her laundry. It didn’t look very clean even though Charlotte believed the woman had done her best. Her children were probably at school. A thing the Rag Doll could no longer care about. She didn’t know what she wanted to be either. Good riddance.
Charlotte passed a few poor children playing when following the rail across the shared apartments’ balcony, and looking down at a market showing up behind the tall buildings, she saw a blonde man handing out clothes while others handed out toys and food. Those who lived there seemed happy and eager about the newly arrived resources. Maybe Charlotte could spot a few other Rag Dolls too. Or William.
Halting by the stairs which lead down to the market place, she got passed by the kids again, who run down to the crowded market. Maybe they were homeless...like her? Were they Toy Soldiers, or Lost Boys? Or just ghetto children...Either way, walking the streets for Charlotte felt easier now than before. Before she’d just run away with a brave heart beating for answers and justice. Now...Now it beat for survival. Her scar from where her chip had been cut out had healed completely, and she’d almost forgotten about her past life. If it was by choice or not, she wasn’t sure, but it was for the best. William was her last chance of a family if not the war came to an end. Charlotte doubted her father would get accustomed to peace. Would anyone? Maybe Peter. Her mother would be thrilled to just have her children with her, but Charlotte, and William apparently, needed more. They were the ones who couldn’t live with the injustice. He’d been brave when leaving eleven years ago, she thought. And she wanted to show him she could too. She could help too.
Standing by the rail, a cast of wind blew past her ears, and she drew breath to call out for William among the crowd, but she gave in almost at once. She stood thinking about why when someone approached her.
