Angelica A. Delaney's Story

I grin excitedly. Oh, this is so gonna be great! I rejoice inwardly. Walking towards the hair salon, I position myself at the door and wait.
After a few minutes, I start to fidget and squirm inside the down jacket which I'm wearing. I kind of feel lost without my MP3 and headphones. I know I wouldn't have enough battery to last a couple of months, but whatever. It's practically my life.

I gathered some bottles of water in my arms and a few packets of biscuits, dumping them into a cart waiting nearby. Rounding the corner, I bumped into Tharias. "Oops, sorry, didn't see you," I muttered. I saw the beds and decided to join the rest. Walking over to one in the far corner, I lay down on it. Almost immediately, I yawned. I hadn't realised that running around a Wal-Mart for supplies could be so tiring. I closed my eyes, but couldn't sleep.

Usually if I'm working I have to wake up at 6AM, but after such an... eventful night I let myself sleep in. At around what I thought was 7:30, I rolled my way off the bed. Close by I saw the girl that bumped into me last night. She and a few others, I couldn't tell how many, were still snoozing on the mattresses.
Angelica was her name, I think. I knew that the person who was where I wanted my 'base' had vacated it, so I gathered my things from under the bed and placed them on my shoulders. I wasn't surprised that I was sore, after all that transpired the other night, and I welcomed the aches.
I picked up the flashlight I had left on the floor and turned it on, though I had to admit the lighting was better because of the little amount of light that the front doors let in. With one last look at the sleeping figure, I headed back towards the toys section, keeping my pace at a slow walk as I wasn't in a hurry. At the end of the toy section I could see across the path where the health and beauty section was, but I was already carrying too much and would have to come back later. Instead I turned and headed past the cosmetics and into the lawn and garden section.
This is where I wanted to camp. Sure, it was a little big, but I wanted a lot of the things here and didn't want to go dragging them around everywhere. I already knew that I would set up in the back corner, as it was more easy to defend. I passed countless of outdoor dining sets that wouldn't be any use to me, and wondered what I would do with all the crap I didn't need or want. I'll just push them all to the front, I decided.
I put my things in a giant barbeque so that no one would take them as I worked. First off was getting rid of all this garden junk. My goal was to get all the stuff from the far left corner and shove it to the front of the store so I had a nice, clear area that I could fill with things I needed and wanted.
Suddenly my stomach rumbled and I realized that I hadn't eaten since before I entered the Wal-Mart. All this work would have to wait, as I very well couldn't go around lifting and pushing and pulling heavy things on an empty stomach.
I reequipped my Nerf gun and headed back into the big aisle.

I bolted upright, jerking myself awake. Damn, of all time to have a nightmare. I looked around and noticed that the others had already gone off, so I got up too. After brushing myself down, I walked over to my cart. Biscuits didn't seem too good for breakfast right now, and I thought that I could go look for something else to eat first.
Walking over to the grocery, I looked around, peering at the shelves. Finally, I selected a bagel and a box of cookies. Grabbing an empty cup, I filled it with soda and started eating. Just then, the hippie-looking guy walked in. I told him, "There's lots to eat around here. Just take your pick."

Finishing my breakfast, I started wandering around the mart, looking at whatever they had on sale. Without knowing it, I had walked into the music section. Two girls, Rose and Caitlyn I think, were talking. I ignored them and picked up a radio. I glanced at the CDs around me and selected Evanescence's album. Putting the CD inside the radio, I set it to 'Bring Me To Life' and sat on the floor, singing along to the song. Who cares if I didn't have my MP3? I could still get music in this place.

I nodded, still glancing around the section, trying to find something that'd bring me use. I shrugged, and turned, only to see a sharp outline of another girl nearby. I waved reluctantly, only trying to be polite. Then, I turned back to Rose, and smiled. Music tirckled down the aisle beside us, and I sang along to the song in my head. If only she'd play "Wake me up inside" because that my favorite of this artist's. I beckoned for Rose to follow, reaching the camera aisle. I shone the flashlight over multiple shelves, only finding one thing that I could use. A camcorder. I ran my fingers along the plastic, holding the flashlight in y mouth and trying to find a part where i could tear. Finally, I ripped it open, tearing it out and 'hooray'ing in triumph. I noticed that it was one that was battery powered, and also computer powered. Which meant it would work fine in this situation. I scanned the next few aisles, in search of some Triple 'A' Bateries.

Rose:
I followed Caitlyn and sound of Evanescence filled my ears. They had been my favorite band ever since I was 13, and went to my first concert where they performed. I hummed along to the song wondering where it was coming from. "Wake me up inside...wake me up inside...call my name and save me from the dark" I suddenly stopped singing, realizing Caitlyn might not be hearing the song, and if she wasn't she'd think i'm bipolar or something of that sort. I looked around, the Beatles still in my hand, for a CD player, or anything I could make music come out of. I was having strong music withdraws.

The music ended. I got up, turning off the radio and putting it on a nearby shelf. I should be doing something, I thought. I walked back to where I had slept the previous night, and found my cart. I pushed it around, until I finally reached Electronics. I looked around for a torch and batteries. Finding some torches, I felt that I should have a spare, so I took two and fitted them with batteries.
By this time, I was starting to feel a little grimy, not having showered since the previous day, when I came here. Walking along, I saw those two again, Rose and Caitlyn. I hurried up to them and said casually, "Hi. Just asking, what are you going to do when you need to shower?"

Rose:
I looked over at the girl that i recognized as Angelica and gave her a sad look. "I wish I knew!" i said feeling kind of scringy myself. I really hadn't thought about that until now. It's not like camping where they have showers or a lake near by. "Now that you mentioned it, i'm feeling kind of icky myself" i said and smiled to myself at my use of the word "icky". "I'm Roselee by the way. And you're Angelica, right? If not, i'm really really sorry! My memory isn't the greatest" i said sounding a little defeated.

I smiled. "Yeah, I'm Angelica, but you can call me Angel for short. Everyone calls me that. It's nice to meet you, Roselee. At worst, I suppose we'll just have to go without. You are Caitlyn, right?" I asked, looking at the other girl.

I smiled and nodded, not minding that someone else was with us. "Nice to meet you." I said, shining my flashlight to light the path infront of us. "I left my things in the Salon, I didn't want to carry EVERYTHING in my cart. So- I left them there. that's where I'll make my base.. I think. I paused and scratched my head. I had said it would've been a good idea too stay there because of the salon head-bowl thingys, they'd have hydro, and water would work there. The only thing is- I'd rather one of those panel thingys.. For pirivacy. I thought, continueing on my way.

"I'm not sure," I chattered on. "I left my stuff where we slept last night, it's in a cart by the bed. Where do you think setting up base would be good?" I avoided using the word our. I still wasn't sure if these girls wanted to accept me with them, or if we were simply on talking terms.

I shrugged. "I don't have any better ideas." I said, letting my heel click against the ground. "I'm not sure what you think you might need, so I can't really suggest anything." I rolled my shoulders back, getting tiered from walking. "Rose, Tharias gave you a flashlight, right? Well, really thats one of the first things you need. The first thing I grabbed was some clothes. Only because I was passing through but... You might want to consider some fresh clothes. I'm still puzzled on the showering idea. I could hold it to my advantage, if people get to greasy, some might want to quit...But am I that selfish? It's possible.

Rose:
I nod "Yeah, i got that covered, but i need to set up base somewhere or i'll..." suddenly a loud scretching sound made me stop mid-sentence "What was that?" i asked alarmed, and looked around the store. I couldn't see anything within my eyes' reach, but i could tell the noise was coming from somewhere close by. At least, that's what it sounded like. But there was no way of being sure, since the noise echoed throughout the store.

I covered my ears as the screeching sound echoed around us. Wincing, I hoped that it would stop. My ears really can't take any of this. Signalling to the other girls, I sprinted to the source of the sound. It was Tharias, dragging a metal table. "What are you doing?" I asked. He'd stopped pulling the table; I uncovered my ears.

It has been quite some time... I don't have anything to say... Wow... I can't believe living in a Walmart for 2 months would be so freaking irritating. But I need to do this, for reasons I don't remember.

I pick up a bag of chips and look around. Where the hell did everyone go? Tharius did come in to pick up some stuff and when I left the grocery department he was still picking up more stuff, the greedy bastard...
I went back to the Do-it-yourself place and found my stuff pretty much untouched. Well rich people ain't thieves... atleast some times...

Quite a few new songs I've heard since I started living in this hellhole. No Iron Maiden though. These rich guys don't have no class... I think I should teach them a lesson in Music, along with the lesson in looooveeen... hehe

I start walking towards the exit when I hear a screaching sound, real loud and closeby. A few metres away from stand Roselee, Tharius, Angelica and Caitlyn. "What's going on?" I ask as I approach them.

Rose:
I stare at the assortment of BBQs that Tharias had created and smirked "Got a little bored, did we?" i say joking around giggle a little. Then I notice Roy headed our way "Hey" i said with a welcoming smile. "Where'd you run off to hon?" I looked around wondering where everyone else was. Other than the noise we were making, the place was pretty quiet. It was very odd!

In a matter of seconds I knew that the evil screeching noise had must have echoed through the whole store. Angelica, Caitlyn, Rose and Roy had all gathered near the entrance of the Lawn and Garden. Angelica spoke first, asking “What are you doing?” I briefly opened my mouth to reply when Roy questioned “What’s going on.” I removed my hands from the table and clasped them behind my back, feeling foolish. “Got a little bored, did we?” Rose giggled at my messy array of poorly arranged junk. “I was…” I sighed and returned my hands to the table and gave an unsure smile. “I wanted to move all the stuff I wasn’t really going to use to the front, and make a setup at the back, I guess. Sorry it was so loud.”

Suddenly I remembered that I had been shifting around all these things and had worked up a bit of a sweat, no doubt my face would have a red tinge and my shirt would have light sweat marks. And there were girls here. Great. In that moment I wished I could shower, but never had I heard of showers in a Wal Mart, so it seemed I would be stuck with sink splash-baths for a long while. I returned my thoughts and attention to the people in front of me. “What is everybody else up to?” I asked, resisting the urge to wipe my brow.

I shrugged in response to Tharias's question. "Just exploring, having a look around," I replied. Upon closer inspection, Tharias looked rather sweaty - his face was flushed and he was breathing heavily. "Do you need help shifting the stuff? I mean - " How was I to word this without sounding too desperate? I was bored, and helping out seemed like a good way to get to know them better. Although, I thought I sounded a little strange. I allowed my words to trail off. "You know. Move the stuff." I blushed.

This was stupid.