I was never a fan of boats growing up. There wasn’t really a reason for it, none that I could think of anyways, I was born on an island after all. The last thing that should have bothered me was a rocking boat, especially considering that my father was a fisherman. I spent enough time on the waters that I should have been fine with it but, here I was, gripping the railing of the ship until my knuckles turned white. 

If I had another option I would have taken it but I fucked up back home and this was all I had. I didn’t want to leave the only home I ever knew but this was what I needed to do. I would have put more people in danger back there. That wasn’t something that I would ever be able to live with. I had to get away before things went even more to hell. I didn’t want to leave my family back there but they would be alright without me, they always had before when I was running about like a young idiot without a care in the world. Maybe I should have been more responsible but I was invincible, or at least that’s what I thought anyways. I could feel the color leave my face as another wave crashed against the hull of the ship, my legs growing a little weak as it did. I didn’t have time to second guess myself as the New York skyline crept into view. It was bigger than I thought it would be, granted I only had tales told from one or two who made their way back home.

Catching sight of the Statue of Liberty took my breath away as much as the rocking boat did. It was a strange feeling, one I never experienced before. It was beautiful in its grandiose, towering before this new place, this new environment. I didn’t know what the future held for me here but I was determined to find out, one way or another.

The sense of relief washed over me as my feet finally landed on solid ground. It had been a long few weeks, so much so that I lost count of how long it had actually been. All of the days kept blending into the next. It certainly didn’t help that the only thing I left with were a few bottles of the finest whiskey that I could get my hands on before I hightailed it from Cork to catch the boat in Dublin. Unfortunately, I only had a bottle and a half left and that was the only thing I had to my name.

I really had no idea what I was doing as the city expanse stretched out before me. I was a stranger in a strange land now. All I knew was that the things that got me by back home wouldn’t work here. I had fallen in with a bad crowd there, I wouldn’t be able to survive doing the same things here, I’d get strung up without as much as a second thought. I was very interested in avoiding that at all costs. 

Still, with empty pockets and an equally empty stomach, I needed to figure something out. I didn’t want to do it but as I made my way down the bustling streets, my second nature kicked into high gear and I grabbed the purse without any pause if I should actually be doing it or not. I didn’t give them a chance to react, let my feet take over and sprinted for the nearest darkened alleyway that I could slip into. 

As soon as my heart rate slowed back to a more normal pace and I was sure I wasn’t followed, I pulled it open, a few folded bills rested inside. It wasn’t much but it was enough to be able to at least find a meal somewhere.

Crying and stumbling, Noid had stumbled into someone who he had never seen or heard from before. What was this? Who was this? He was just giving a speech one moment ago and the next he's accidentally running into people. The Noid wasn't sure what was going on here, but he pushed the man back and laid it out for him real nice and easy.

Hey buddy, right now there's an important debate going on. Will you stop? You're taking attention away from it, and it is a very important one.

Walking back to the original place he was just at, he continued with his very important proing debate in which the innocent MrOwl was killed for doing nothing more than helping out poor souls who weren't protected.

It wasn’t enough to get the fanciest meal in town but it would definitely suffice for a quick bite. After that, I’d have to go about finding some type of shelter for the night. It wasn’t the smartest thing to be wandering about the streets all alone, especially without an protection. That was another thing I’d have to deal with sooner rather than later. 

I found a small diner a few blocks away from where I snatched the purse. It was a run down place, clearly it had seen better days but the kitchen seemed to be staffed and I was good with just about anything at this point. I found an empty seat which wasn’t hard at all considering that other than the staff, I was the only one there. The waitress held a friendly smile, albeit a tired looking one. I had heard that this was the city that never slept and from the far off look in her eyes, that seemed to ring true. 

”Evening, Lass,” my words coated in my thick Irish accent, “If it isn’t too much trouble I’d like to have a burger and fries. Glass of water as well, please.”

She hotter down the order like she had probably a thousand times before without a word, giving a half smile before turning back and pushing through the swinging doors that led back into the kitchen area. I let my mind go a bit as she walked away, trying to figure out what my next move was going to be without having even the slightest inclination of what that might be.

My eyes must have been as wide as saucers as I watched my waitress swing the doors open to the kitchen once more. Things were always meager back home in Cork, we only had what we needed to get by and barely at that but this, this was different completely. The burger seemed gigantic and the fries that garnished around it were mouth watering. I had never seen a meal like this before. Maybe this was the land of opportunity after all.

I didn’t have to feign my smile in the slightest as she placed the plate before me, my grin stretching from ear to ear. I hadn’t been in the states very long but I was already eating better than I ever did back home. It didn’t particularly matter to me that I had to steal an old lady’s purse to get it. I’d gladly do it again and again if it meant I got to eat like a king like this. 

I savored every single bite but much to my dismay, I eventually ran out of food. It was probably for the best after all, I felt like I might explode if I took another morsel into my mouth. Leaning back against the booth I stretched my hands high above my head, letting out a contented sigh as my knuckles popped loudly. The meager scraps of bread I managed to scarf down on the boat ride over couldn’t hold a candle to this place. I wondered if everything was like this here in New York. Of all the stories that I had heard back home, none of them mentioned how delicious the food was. It was almost as if this was supposed to be some type of secret of sorts.

With a genuine smile, I reached into my pocket, pulling out the small amount of cash I managed to steal. I paid for my meal then left as much as I could for a tip. I didn’t even care that I was leaving myself short on funds, I would have gladly paid double if I could have. As I gathered up my canvas bag filled with a bottle and a half of whiskey I turned back to the server, “Thank you for this Lass. As soon as I can, I’ll be back. This place deserves a lot more than what I can leave at the moment.”

Now that I was well fed, it was time to step into the next stage of this adventure. I wasn’t exactly sure what it was yet but there really was only one way to find out now.

How can you "scarf down" pieces of bread?  What is this shit?

A little slow on the uptake there aren’t ya, Kuku? I know sometimes words get the best of you. It’s ok though, I’m sure there is someone who will hold your hand and tell you it’s going to be alright.