Healed and preparing for her life change, Sophia stood with her eyepatch. She was listening to her attorney at the coffee shop next to the bus stop. Phil Jackson has been a godsend for her. He had gone far beyond what was normal for an attorney and Sophia was beyond grateful. He helped her get her money transferred to the bank in Winterset, the town Otis was in. He also showed her photos of the small town. Sophia had a bus ticket in hand and a small suitcase in the other filled with her meager belongings. Sophia had just gotten finished with the therapist that gave her several depression and anxiety medications. The receptionist informed her that the medication could be refilled at the pharmacy in the grocery store in Winterset. If it hadn't been for the pills Sophia was convinced that her mind would be lost. She was diagnosed with anxiety, and PTSD due to the attack and experienced frequent panic attacks. She wore a light jacket that had a hood to cover her severely scarred face wherever she went. It was difficult trying to hide from other people's curious stares. Her story had been on the news and plastered all over the internet. Some said she was lying for money and others just called her a disfigured monster. Either way, it hurt and made her want to simply disappear. Sophia stood outside with Mr. Jackson as they both waited for the bus that would take her off to a new life six hours away.
"Otis knows your entire ordeal, Sophia, and will be at his hotel. It is the only one in town. He also informed me that there is a small one-bedroom home a block away that is for sale and would be ideal for you," he said softly."Maybe you can visit once I get settled," Sophia suggested and he nodded."If I'm not busy with my work I would like that," Phil grinned kindly. He was so very nice to her."Thank you, for everything. I couldn't have done this without your help," Sophia told him solemnly. Phil patted her back and shook his head."You are a survivor, Sophia. You are strong in spirit. Keep that strength and live a good, long life. Ah, the bus is here," he said chipperly. Sophia glanced at the bus and swallowed nervously."You will be alright. Don't listen to others if they insult you or call you hurtful things. You are beautiful on the inside and out," he said in encouragement. She startled him by giving him a tight hug. He relaxed and hugged her back in a comforting manner before leading her to the bus entrance."I put my number in your cell if you ever need anything. Sophia nodded and slowly made her way up the steps. Avoiding the other people taking seats she headed to hers near the back. Sophis watched Phil as he waved. Waving her fingers back to him she grinned slightly. A cold feeling of trepidation filled her suddenly and Sophia flicked the rubberband that the therapist suggested she wear around the wrist to keep her grounded. Sophia snapped it against her wrist a few times until the feeling of dread passed. Soon the bus was traveling down the freeway. The tall concrete buildings of the large city faded in the distance."I can do this," she mused to herself. Settling back in the seat Sophia saw passengers eyeing her coldly and turned herself so she could face the window. Sophia refused to become drowned in her self-pity. Pulling the cell phone out of her jacket pocket she looked through it to find it only had Phil and Otis's numbers for contacts. Pressing the internet Sophia discovered her story in the news section. Her once-perfect face was plastered on it next to what she was now. Sophia hoped they didn't have news like this in Winterset. She read the story and grinned slightly at seeing Vincent getting sentenced to twenty years. Tucking the cell phone back into her pocket she rested her chin in her hand watching the scenery pass by outside. She knew that Vincent's family would get him out earlier one way or the other but was certain that he would be in at least ten of those years. Sophia nodded off to sleep and was woken by a hand shaking her shoulder."Miss, we have arrived at the destination," a stern voice said. Blinking her eye, Sophia glanced up to see the bus driver frowning at her. Looking around the bus she could see she was the only passenger."Sorry, I drifted off," Sophia mumbled softly as she gathered her items and headed past the stern-looking man. Sophia's single eye widened at the lovely town. The photos Phil had shown her didn't give it justice. Architecture that was European-inspired filled the small town. Hope filled her for the first time since the incident. Sophia glanced at everything surrounding her and grinned. She continued down the main street, searching for Otis's hotel. She was looking left and bumped into someone. Preparing to apologize she was startled by a woman frowning at her."Watch where you are going, freak. I don't want your nasty ass rubbing off on me," the younger woman snapped. The man with her started laughing and told her I was that gold digger from the news. Sophia looked down and continued. She wasn't expecting to be pushed from behind and fell, scraping her knees. Sophia started panicking and began hyperventilating."Travis, you go piss off," a shout came from above her."Sophia, are you alright?" A kind voice asked. Sophia looked up to see an old African American man grinning down at her."Otis?" She inquired curiously and he nodded."That be me, miss. Get up, dear, and don't let Travis Hamilton get to you," he said firmly, offering his hand in greeting. Sophia felt a warm heart in the old gentleman the same she had gotten from Phil Jackson."My hotel is a couple of doors down. I don't know what Phil told you but I can offer you a job cleaning if that will work?" He asked with inquisitive eyes. Sophia nodded and told him that would be great. Otis offered Sophia his hand to help her to her feet."Phil told me you were a bright woman and I can see his assessment of you was correct," he said softly and Sophia eyed him oddly and mumbled her thanks."We can walk together and I can show you to your new abode. Looks like you don't have much. The home is one of mine and Phil made a deal so the house is yours but the deed will remain in my name so that your name remains off record," Otis smiled. Sophia shook her head and insisted that she pay for it. Otis shook his head."No can do, miss. I'm doing God's work here," he stated firmly. Sophia nodded and slowly walked next to Otis back down the sidewalk. As the pair turned the corner Sophia's eye landed on an adorable home with a small porch sporting a rocking chair and numerous planters full of blossoms."Is that it?" She said pointing to the lovely tiny home. Otis followed her finger and grinned."Sorry it's the one that is two houses down from that one," he said sullenly. Sophia nodded and counted down the homes. As they walked Sophia grew grim. The home Otis headed up to needed to be painted and the tiny porch was bare of anything decorative."As I said, the place is yours to do with what you like. Phil has legal documents that make you the legal owner," he said firmly as he unlocked the door and opened it for Sophia. She stepped inside and was relieved that it was clean and furnished with a few items."It was cleaned yesterday and there's a made bed, full fridge and pots, pans, and everything you will need. I have a storage room in the back of the hotel with items you're welcome to go through if you want to add a woman's touch," Otis said with a laugh. Sophia walked into the small living room and ran her fingers over the small dinette as she looked at the galley kitchen."The bedroom and bathroom are to your left down the hall," Otis informed her. Sophia carried her suitcase down the hall and to the small bedroom. Setting her luggage on the bed she sighed. Otis stood in the doorway."I know it's not what you are accustomed to, Sophia but it's yours and safe," he said solemnly. Sophia nodded and smiled."It is lovely Otis, thank you. When can I start working?" Otis chuckled and replied, "how about tomorrow, be at the hotel at nine and I will show you what you need to do."Sophia Parks was asleep in her small bed thrashing around in the grasp of a horrible nightmare. Waking quickly with her heart pounding and drenched in sweat she reached for her bottle of anxiety pills and swallowed two, using her saliva as a lubricant to swallow the medication. Reliving the terror of her ex-boyfriend's attack was getting tiring and had only become more frequent since learning of Vincent's release from prison. Her lawyer had informed her that he had been released for good behavior and his family connections causing her PTSD to spike. The alarm clock went off, making her jump and curse loudly."Mondays always suck," Sophia muttered as she grabbed her eyepatch off the nightstand and headed into the bathroom to get ready for the work week. She mentally prepared herself for another week of callous comments that would come from the locals and out-of-towners coming to stay at the hotel. The tirades of being called ugly, hideous, and monster took their toll on her self-esteem
Pushing her cart down the first-floor hall Sophia knocked in the first occupied room. She ignored the do not disturb sign hanging on the knob as she exclaimed, "housekeeping!""I am sorry for disturbing you sir, but I must clean and I have respected your door sign for three days already," she said sternly. Not getting a reply, Sophia used her master keycard to open the door. The first thing that assaulted her senses was the smell of decomposition."Shit," she cursed as she shut the door and headed quickly back to the front desk. Sophia lifted the phone receiver to begin dialing the police. As she dialed she shouted out for Otis. "We got a dead guy in 102!" Otis came out of his office with a frown."Bet it was a heart attack, the man was an old fat fucker," he muttered sourly and lifted his glasses to rub his eyes."I hate having the police snooping around here yet again. This is the third death here in a year," he added and Sophia patted his arm."Hello, I need to report the death of
Sophia headed down the empty hall seeing the flashing lights coming through the end of the hall window and felt the tightness in her chest begin. "It is okay girl, focus on something else," she mumbled softly to herself and flicked the hairband she wore around her wrist. Leaning against the wall she concentrated on her breathing exercises and continued snapping the elastic band against her skin. Sophia closed her eyes hearing the room door of Faelon open. After a moment of silence, he shouted," are you okay?" Sophia glanced over at him scowling down at her and grinned."Right as rain, sir," she answered as she rummaged through her pockets searching for her pills. Being unsuccessful she ground her molars and pushed herself from the wall. She felt like a freak show performer due to the odd man still watching her. The ringing in her ears started and she feared she was going to faint. Stumbling back to the wall she slid down it with her back to sit. The last thing she expected to see was
Patricia gave them each their orders and handed Faelon a folded piece of paper."It is my number if you ever want to have better company," she said softly. Faelon cocked his brow and crumpled the paper and tossed it back at her. It bounced off her chest and to the floor."Your behavior is horrendous, don't expect a tip," he growled firmly, causing the waitress to open and close her mouth like a fish gulping air. Sophia stifled her grin and unwrapped her napkin-wrapped utensils. After the waitress left them in a huff Sophia glanced over at Faelon."You should have kept that number, Patricia is well known amongst the menfolk for giving great blowjobs," she said bluntly, causing Faelon to choke on the bite of food he had taken prior. After wiping his mouth he smirked at Sophia."I wouldn't want that female's mouth anywhere near my member. She is a very ugly person," he replied uncaringly. Sophia blinked her eye at him then turned to look at the stunning redhead. Did he truly find her ugly
Faelon opened his new room and invited the young reaper inside who needed to speak with him. Sophia was having heart palpitations and was currently in the employee restroom splashing water on her face. She had removed her eyepatch and was frowning at her appearance. she thought about what Faelon had told her during lunch."That man is crazy…there is nothing attractive about me," she mumbled sadly and wiped away the moisture collecting in her one eye. Sophia blinked and breathed in deeply, exhaling slowly. She had taken the last of her medication and would have to go to the local pharmacy for a refill. Putting on her eyepatch she went to find Otis so she could leave her work shift early to make it to the grocery store, where the pharmacy was located before it closed. Otis was carrying a lamp as Sophia approached him."I need to take off early, Otis, to get to the pharmacy," she said softly. Otis looked at her over the lampshade."Better hurry before Travis and his side chick get there
Sophia exhaled deeply, finishing the last scoop of the snow-covered sidewalk. Wishing for an early spring she walked carefully back inside her modest home. She gently touched her swollen eye and winced as she headed to the bathroom to see how bad it was. Barely able to see her reflection in the mirror, she frowned."Perhaps I should call in tomorrow," she debated but realized that she needed the funds for bills. Sophia grabbed a bag of frozen mixed vegetables from her freezer and placed it on her swollen eye. Sitting carefully into the wooden chair she sat at her small dinette and hoped the swelling would go down. She dug in her inside pocket for the large black feather and placed it inside the lead crystal vase she got from Phil for her last birthday. She looked at it and strangely felt connected to the ebony feather."Wonderful, I get a warm fuzzy feeling off a chicken feather," she muttered to herself, shifting the frozen bag of vegetables over her swollen eye. Back at the hotel,
"Isn't Faelon a female's name?" Atlas asked Faelon after they appeared inside Sophia's sparse living room. Faelon shook his head."No, it means little wolf, and it's a male name," he answered as he followed after Sophia. Sophia entered the small bathroom and Faelon stood in the narrow hallway waiting for her to exit. "I am going to search for the spirit so don't mind me…or help me…at all," Atlas grunted in frustration as he headed toward the kitchen and started looking in the cupboards and utility closet. Faelon glanced toward the small kitchen table and saw his wing feather inside a crystal vase. He grinned slightly and pulled a few more out of his wing and placed them alongside the single one. They appeared within it as black as pitch. Atlas was watching and shaking his head and plucked out the feathers Faelon had placed in the vase making them evaporate into nothingness."No disturbing the residence. That is the number one rule. That and pets and small children can see us even whe
Atlas eyed the dark angel and was curious about what had caused him to grow more sour than usual."Who pissed in your breakfast or lunch, my compadre?" He asked bluntly. Faelon hissed and rubbed his eyes before scowling at the reaper."Some male named Phil is bringing Sophia dinner tonight. He is good for her according to the old male who owns this establishment," he complained, causing Atlas to chuckle."Then why don't we just pop in and make sure nothing nefarious is going to happen during their dinner, big guy, Eh? That sounds rather stalkerish and right up your alley," Atlas teased. Faelon watched the reaper and smiled wide enough to expose his fangs. Atlas's eyes widened in shock."You are scary…don't smile at me like that," Atlas mumbled sourly. Faelon rolled his eyes."I don't even know how to gain a woman's interest nor do I know the first thing about wooing," he sighed. Atlas shrugged and told him neither did he. Faelon asked the time and Atlas glanced at his pocket watch."I