Looking back at it, I should have checked the job reviews before accepting the job. But if I hadn't, I wouldn't have met the man who was entwined to my fate the moment our eyes met each other that day.
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*Click...Click*
"I need to find a job before the rent is due, I can't skip it again like last time," I muttered to myself, clicking through endless hiring websites. Each job posting I read felt like a slap in the face, a reminder of how little my options were. "So many of these jobs aren't my style, and some don't pay enough to even make it worth showing up."
The day had dragged on, as I scrolled through dead-end opportunities. Anxiety filled my chest as I read every rejection, every underpaying offer. I had scraped by for as long as I could, but the thread was unraveling. Rent was overdue, and I barely had enough to eat. I knew I couldn't keep going on like this.
I paused, my fingers resting on the laptop keys as my index finger on the enter button started to shake. The familiar pang of desperation washed over me, the same feeling I had known all my life ever since I turned four years old.
Even when I was little and living in an orphanage, I struggled to survive. The place was no good to me, and neither were the adults. Surviving was a regular struggle there. The adults, if you could even call them that, never really cared about any of us I was just another kid in a long line of forgotten faces. I learned early on that no one was coming to help. From that day forward, Growing up in that orphanage taught me that no one was going to take care of me but myself. It had been me against the world for as long as I could remember.
Hours had gone by, and with every scroll, my frustration deepened. I leaned back, rubbing my eyes, the screen blurring before me. "Why is everything so hard?" I grumbled, dropping my head into my hands.
Why couldn't I just have a loving family? Why did I have to be born all alone?" I questioned. As I started to laugh a bit at myself, I guess I will never earn that.
After all, who would adopt a child like me? I wasn't noticed, had no friends, and gained no recognition from parents who were coming and going to adopt children from the orphanage. Not a single glance was thrown my way.
The moment I aged out of the system, I was thrown into the world without a safety net. I've been struggling to keep my head above water ever since. The only person I was able to talk to, who kept me sane, was my best friend Jenna, who was hanging out in the living room.
Suddenly, Jenna poked her head where my door was open and saw my face. "You're stressing yourself out again. Come on, Mia, why don't we head to a café down the street? It'll help clear your mind."
"I can't," I sighed, scrolling through yet another set of listings. "I need to find something before rent's due. I don't want to skip it again, Jenna. I got lucky last time."
Jenna leaned against the doorframe, folding her arms. "I know, I know. But maybe taking a break will help? You're going to burn yourself out."
I shook my head, my eyes scanning the screen. "There's no time to take a break. I've been looking all day, and none of these jobs pay enough to cover rent, let alone groceries. I can't just keep waiting for something to fall into my lap."
"Hey, we'll figure it out." Jenna's voice was calm, and reassuring. She always knew how to keep me grounded when I was spiraling, but this time I didn't want help. "I could lend you a little more until—"
"No," I sharply interrupted her, I felt guilty but did not show it. "You've already done enough. I can't keep relying on you."
She gave me a sad smile, her eyes soft.
"Mia, you're not alone, you know that, right?"
I didn't respond. She didn't get it. Jenna had parents, a support system, and people who cared about her. I had nothing. It wasn't her fault, but she couldn't understand what it was like to always be on your own. If anything, all I had was her, and if I were to lose Jenna, I would truly be alone.
The clicking of the mouse filled the silence again as I scrolled through page after page of dead-end jobs. My mind raced with thoughts of the rent deadline, the half-empty fridge, and the fact that I was teetering on the edge of complete collapse.
Then something caught my eye.
Grave Cleaner and Companion for the Dead—One Night that you won't regret it!
Payment: 2,500
I paused, raising an eyebrow. It sounded weird, sure, but the pay was... more than enough to cover a month's rent in one night.
"Hey, check this out." I turned my laptop to show Jenna. "Grave cleaner. Companion for the dead. It pays enough to cover rent in one night."
She leaned closer, her eyes wide with intrigue. "That place sounds very familiar for some reason. Are you going to apply?
My finger hovered over the "Apply" button.
"It's just one night of work. How bad could it be?"
"Famous last words," Jenna said, chuckling. "But seriously, Mia. It could be your ticket out of this mess."
"Right. Because talking to ghosts is definitely going to help me pay rent." I rolled my eyes, but I could feel the anxiety in my chest easing just a little.
To my surprise, the email reply came within minutes. I blinked at the message.
"Congratulations! You've been accepted for the position. Please report to Westhill Cemetery at 7 PM sharp tomorrow. Further instructions will be given upon arrival."
I stared at the screen, feeling a knot of uncertainty forming in my stomach. No interview, no details, just a location and a time. "That's not sketchy at all..." I muttered sarcastically, my anxiety bubbling up. But then, I glanced at the rent bill on my desk. It didn't matter if it was sketchy. I didn't have the luxury of saying no.
"Well, Looks like you're in," Jenna said, her smile widening. "Just make sure to bring a flashlight or something. You don't want to get lost in the spooky shadows."
"Haha, Very funny." I said sarcastically as I got up from my chair and stretched a bit.
I then closed my laptop, trying to shake the unease building in my chest. A cemetery job at night? I must be out of my mind.
A loud knock on the door snapped me out of my thoughts, and I jumped, my heart racing. It was probably my landlord—again.
"Uh oh, not that guy again. He's so annoying. Why do you put up with him? His attitude is so rude. He doesn't even care about anything except; the only thing he cares about is money," Jenna said as she crossed her arms. Her face had a disgusted expression at the thought of even seeing my landlord.
I straightened my clothes and stood up. "First, he's my landlord, and I can't offend him or I will be evicted. Second, you get used to it when you've had adults treat you like that before." I walked out of my room and headed straight for the door. "Here we go," I whispered to myself. I opened the door to see Mr. Franks, my landlord, glaring at me from the hallway, his beefy arms crossed over his chest.
"Mia," he growled, "it's been two weeks since you promised me that payment. What gives?"
"I... I know, Mr. Franks. I'm just waiting for my paycheck. I'll have it by the end of the week, I swear," I lied through my teeth, my pulse quickening.
"You better. I've got people lined up who can pay on time."
I swallowed hard and forced a smile. "I'll have it. No problem."
"I have no time dealing with orphans like you so you better pay it soon or else you are out of here!" Mr. Franks sharply said as he left.
As he walked away, I slumped against the doorframe, wiping the nervous sweat from my palms. No turning back now, I thought. If this grave-cleaning gig could buy me another month, I'd take it.
Jenna found me and crossed her arms, glaring at the door where Mr. Franks was once standing. She shook her head, then came up to me and extended her hand. I grabbed it, and out of nowhere, she hugged me tightly.
"Please be careful when you go to that cemetery and make sure to bring equipment that can help you see. I don't want you to get hurt!" Jenna informed.
I smiled at the hug I was given and just nodded at what Jenna informed me...Still, a part of me wondered if this job was more than it seemed.