Little Black Book

Dragging my tired hungry body trying to find a place to sleep for the night, it is winter time the temperature will fall below zero haven’t had a decent meal in three days pushed my self for any hope. Being framed, getting kicked out of both job and home no savings left so here I am homeless. My loved ones have turned their backs on me, its of no use crying I have accepted my fate and now know survival is the most important thing in this cruel world.

A rubbish truck was pulling out from a street making my way towards the street to see 2 big commercial dumpsters, one had just been emptied I am guessing the food one as the other own was still full of card boards well I had found my bed for tonight. Pulling some card board for the dumpster I crawled to the small space in between made my bed cautiously lay down and pilled more card board on top of me to make it seem no one was there. Believing it to be safe for tonight I closed my eyes apart from other noise my grumbling stomach could be heard too.

Both the noises didn’t let me sleep I saw people go by their business, still looking for any sign of danger I caught sight of something black and small underneath the dumpster full of card boards. Looking around not finding anyone I crawled towards the dumpster put my arm in to drag that black thing out. Clutching the black thing I crawled towards my bed to have a look at what it was, it was a little black book.

The little black book cover was coated in paper cardboard, with an elastic band to hold the notebook, with what little light I could see it was the famous Moleskin brand note book. I knew it, as it was a famous brand which I had seen our CEO use.

Hungry nothing to do so I might as well read whats in this little black book. The book was probably around 8 or 9 years old, opening the book to see it was a diary of someone called Victor. All the entries were of his day to day life, his struggles also some juicy romance about someone called Isabel. Reading the book made my hunger, cold and sleep go away, in the little black book Victor was in the phase of his life where he had saved enough money and he was going to propose to his love. How he had planned out everything which was very romantic, eager to read more I flipped the page to see it empty, now why did he stop after this flipping the pages more I saw no more entries and the only thing I could on a page was a diagram which was kind of like a map. Looking at it properly it yes it is a map I muttered now being curious to know what had happened, I planned to check the place tomorrow putting away the black book in my pocket I closed my eyes for some sleep.

But I couldn’t sleep Victors story puzzled me so around dawn I got up to a chilly morning, shivering trying to warm and the stiffness go away I started rubbing my self to hear a loud scream. Trying to sit up with stiff limbs because I was scared what if I am in danger when I heard the scream again, the card board had fallen over from me so I looked up to see a middle age lady standing their shaking. My movements must have scared her who wouldn’t be seeing something shake, pleading with her please I don’t mean any harm I am homeless I was staying here for the night please don’t call police, look I will go away once I am able to stand up please I don’t mean any trouble, because of the cold I couldn’t speak properly. Trying to stand up but I couldn’t looking at her with pleading eyes I just hope I am not in trouble.

She stood frozen there but after a while she turned around walked back towards her home asking me to follow her. Surprisingly not expecting this, as she was asking a stranger to follow her. Holding the dumpster I stood up to follow her, well she looks kind maybe she was going to help me. Indeed she did by letting me have a warm shower, clothing me though the clothes looked very old I didn’t mind beggars cant be choosers, feeding me listening to my sorrowful story also giving me money. Spreading my arms gesturing to everything she gave me I only asked why? Her reply was I was you some years back, when a good Samaritan helped me. She was running a small bakery but dreams to expand but is sort of cash at the moment, but she had offered me a job and a place to stay.

Thanking her for everything she did for me I informed her I had to leave for something promising her that I will be back. Now I set off to seek answers about this mystery. The place Victor marked X in the book was near Central Park so to cut my journey short I took the bus to that route with the money the lady had given me. All through the journey I was anxious as to what I will find, getting off the bus near Central Park I followed the diagram. Little did I know that it would be the most memorable journey of my life.

Two streets away from the Central Park I got lost now what to do, looking at the black book I turned to a street on my right surveying the place it look so eerie quiet. Deeply engrossed trying to follow the correct marking I didn’t see where I was walking to when I bumped something hard looking up I saw I had walked into to a dead end not only that I had walked in the middle of a gang war.

A dozen or so pack of dogs were now growling angrily at me I am guessing I had walked in between a territory fight and standing in the middle I had disturbed them. Instead of fighting each other, they now turned all their attention on me. Scared out of my wits I stood very still even afraid to breathe trying not to anger them I slowly started to inch back little by little. But loud angry growling made me stop well that’s it I am done for I am shish kebab for them now, gulping clutching the book with all my strength I could muster I made a U turn slowly as all my moves was ow watched by so many pair of small eyes counting one to ten I got ready to run.

Screaming like a banshee I had made a run for my life as I was now carrying my heart on my sleeve, not caring who was watching or where I was going to I just ran. Who would stop to reason with these angry dogs as I had invaded their private business. Running to some random street stopping as I didn’t have any strength left, hiding behind some building only peeking out after hearing their loud barking further away guess I was not important to them now. Seeing the coast clear I leaned back at the wall and thought what a day this has been.

Now hungry thirsty I was waiting for my breath to return to normal and just merely glancing up to find where I was only to see what I had been searching for was right in front of me. Are you kidding me I muttered I nearly got mauled for this. Crossing the road I went straight to the place marked X which was a tree seriously a tree.

It was a big Red Oak tree now how was I supposed to unearth this big tree for a mere diary scratching my head i pondered still in my thought I smelt food and saw a food truck, buying some food I went back to stare at the tree. Looking at the tree I said suppose you move to let me have a look but the tree stood still come to think of this I think this is a prank and thought to give up this idea. Not far away kids were playing digging in the play sand when an idea popped in my head what if I dig around it, yes that’s possible. It was around midday so as not to get in any trouble I took nap the park should be empty by 4pm.

Exactly around 4 pm the park got empty as the weather was getting chilly, now to find something to dig with I went to the play area to see if the kids have left their toy spade and yes I was in luck. With the toy spade I came back the park was still empty I started digging slowly cautiously looking around me . For hour an half I dug I was getting all warmed up but upon not finding anything it was getting so frustrating, thinking of giving up I threw the spade away.

Thinking if this was worth a mere slip of book I stopped, looking around I noticed instead of going around the tree all I was digging was at only one place, picking the spade up I started again and not long I struck something. Excited now digging more fast at the spot I made a big hole to pull whatever it was out, putting the spade away I put my hand in only to pull a weathered torn black plastic bag out.

What was so important about this that Victor had to bury it here quickly opening the bag to see another folded clothed bag, unfolding the bag I turned it upside down waiting for the book to fall down it was dark now, with the park lighting a note fell first but what followed after took my breath away. Heaps and heap of money fell which I had only seen in movies, so much money. Picking the note up it said This is my hard earned which was supposed to be our new start but unfortunately my love is no more. I too don’t have that much time left hope this bring happiness in someone's life. Take this as my blessing to at least reading about my life. There is a sum of $20,000 in here so do put it to good use Victor Bernard. No one knew my happiness that day picking up the money I headed towards my future.

Looking out from my office window I said to my son Victor appreciate what you have and now you know why I am hoping to build as many homeless shelter I can.

But dad Victor said laughing hysterically seriously how did you run like a banshee and you even out run a pack of dogs does mum know about this.

Not a word out of your mouth got it that is very embarrassing.

Right at that moment my office door opened an old lady walked in holding a plate of freshly baked bread which was smelling so good time for a break children she said.

I now run a multi- billion dollar business, also I am in list of being one of the richest man in the county. Come to think of it I did find my pot of gold under a rainbow all thanks to the small black notebook.