Price You Pay

The bus drives down as the 3 of us sit there. My minimum trust in our client clear as we sit across from each other.

“You came highly recommended.” The client said. “Please try to… at least…” 

“It's always the hardest part of the job, but someone has to try to do it.”  I replied, as the car stopped. “I guess we’ll get started.” I shape shift as I step out of the car. In truth I had given up. Whether I shifted out of sight or in sight. They hated me. But the elders were never why I came,  a fact the children refuse to let me forget.

“That’s Miss Amber.” Matthew said, and right after I shifted. “She got a home for us.”

Even as he spoke rain plotted along on the ground. “Guess your dad found you some Ashley?”
“Mhm” Ashley said. “I found some stickers too!”

“Do you really have a home for us?” Some unnamed girl Matthew introduced spoke.

For once I let the bus do my job for me, and thankfully he understood. An announcement blared loudly over those speakers. Attention all people. This is the last day you get on the bus over or get left behind.

“Just like you blowhearts! Leaving us all to rot!”

“They’ve been here for an entire 3 months! You jacker!” An elder replied walking with 3 grandkids. “Please take them. Do mind that I couldn’t find em boots.” 

“You could come with?” I replied. “We  can just call a second bus, really. Last DAY not last bus stop.”
“Mighty kind of you, but I….”

I catch just before he falls, and lt’s a few medics hull in a space. “They’re trained for that. He’ll be just fine.”

I see a lot more teens and young children get up, and some elders get some help as well. And last but certainly least the angry mob. Complaining that I'm taking them, as if they don’t have eyes. 

“Look around you!” I shout. “Your planet is broken down highways and rain! I haven’t mention a single word in 2 weeks. I’m just collecting the rumble…. And hoping it manages, which is more than y'all ever wanted to do by the looks of it!I barely noticed this doesn’t to stop before one the the girls tug on my tugs me. Breaking down the disguise, and showing me off.

Hooves fur, and all. 

“She is as safe as they come, mates.” The bus driver says. “Pick  her up near 100 years. Never prouder ever since.”

Those words inspire me a bit, and apparently inspire the client as he makes a call.

“Amber, dear. seems we have our new pick ups. At least most of them.”

“Adam? I just put the other down for a nap…. Oh they seem lovely. You… this is all of them?

“We’re rounding the rest of what can get up” I replied. “I see about 5 more that will need a place to bunk, while we sort the homes out I’m collecting forums on the bus, because it's raining again.”

“Oh, Sofia darling, what is your secret?” Amber asked over the comms. “You were already a 10 out of 10, and somehow you exceed even that.”

“Quite so, If you don’t mind me saying so of a foreigner as well.”

“For information, that is my secret.” I replied. “That’s just what being a rescued foreign does for the solar system you call salvation..”

I walked into a courtroom with as much pride as those rainboots, and asserted just the sentiment. And with barely another word. I was the first foreigner crossroader. A hard job, but one I believed in, and if you find yourself there? Well, That just the kind of price you pay..

Letter from Crossroader Sofia A. Roffguard