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A few months ago the waters had dried up in her small town. Spring had lost her parents years ago and was trying to make it on her own in the town she grew up in. However, these days with so little rain it seemed like she wouldn't be able to stay too much long. All the flowers she sold were no longer growing and her frustration was mounting. As she looked around her town a sad feeling began to trickle it's way into her thoughts. Shaking her head as if to rid herself of it she began to hope that New Orleans held better things for her.
Packing up her most valuable things and some clothes she boarded the train to New Orleans. The trip went along smoothly for the first half. At a resting stop she got off the train to stretch her legs and take a bit of a look around. Another train had pulled up. Spring hadn't bothered to check exactly which rails her train was on when she headed into the station. Before she knew it she was engrossed in a conversation when the train conductor called for the trains to be boarded once more.
Grabbing her back pack she boarded the train that she thought was hers. It didn't help that she really had no sense of direction of where she should have been going. All she knew was that she was headed towards the nearest city to her village. This would be new to her since her village was quite small and everyone knew everyone. She knew no one where she was going. A small girl in a big world was what she felt like when she got off the train at the final stop.
Spring headed into the station in hopes of using their restroom to change her outfit. She brushed the knots out of her hair and splashed some water on her face. Instantly she began to feel better and more able to take on the city outside. Stepping out of the station doors she was a bit overwhelmed. She saw fancy clad people walk past her so she began to walk around.
Soon she was seeing signs saying "Downtown Detroit Coffee Shop" and "Detroit Movie Theater." Spring got confused because her train was supposed to have been to New Orleans. Taking a step to the side she figured out that she had gotten onto the wrong train. She felt a shiver of fear because she didn't know Detroit at all. She had done some research on New Orleans though. Quickly Spring ducked into a coffee shop.
She set herself down in a booth. The waitress approached her with a kind smile.
"Everything alright Darlin' you look rather frazzled."
"Wrong city." Spring said.
"Perhaps a coffee and some toast will fix you right up."
Spring merely nodded and the waitress went off. She returned about five minutes later with a man in tow.
"This is Larry. He'll help ya out if you want."
Spring looked up for the first time and a small smile crept up her face. She pushed her bag off the extra seat and nodded towards it.
"That'd be great she said."
Larry sat down as she began to ate her food. The first decent meal she had in awhile. She made a face as she drank the coffee but she wasn't a big coffee fan.
"So, how can you help me?" Spring asked as she swallowed the last bit of toast.
"Well on the far side of Detroit there is a freak show and a carnival. A few friends of mine work there and I am sure they would find something for you to do. First we need to speak to Matthew. He acts as the head of security in that area. So whenever you are ready."
Spring took some bills out of her wallet and paid for her meal. She left a decent tip for the waitress and got up.
"I'm ready."
Without further talk they began to make their way towards the far end of the city. It felt like a long walk and she almost said as much except that she was grateful for any help she could get at the very least getting a job. Long walk or not when the Carnival came into view she got a bit more nervous. She had never had to apply for a job and wasn't sure what was expected of her.
She tried to put on a brave face that she didn't feel as she headed into the security building. Larry had located Matt right away and Matt took a glance at her and waved her through. Apparently she didn't seem all that malicious or scary or she was sure that he would have asked her lots of questions. It took a minute to locate Larry who was heading into the Freak Show. Spring didn't want to fall behind so she began to jog a bit to keep up with him.
Soon Larry stopped in front of a man. His hair was a mess and the clothes he wore kind of set her off but who was she talk? She barely had enough clothes with her and really needed a job so she kept her mouth shut as Larry explained her situation. The creepy man looked over at her and merely nodded before turning back to Larry.
"We'll give her a try."
That was all she heard before Larry told her she at least had a job to do. He grabbed her by the arm and led her back out of the tent. Dropping her off next to a building.
"Someone will be here shortly to pick you up. At least you aren't lost anymore Spring. Take care."
And with that he was gone. At least she was not lost anymore.
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