THE SOURCE

SOPHIA

Six weeks had gone by already and it was the same results. Nothing. I was getting very desperate. I didn't know what else to do. All the hopes I had to raise some funds through crowdfunding went down the drain and it seems as though I will never be able to make the money I needed to save my father and Evergreen Post.I had just four months and some weeks left. A tired sigh escaped my lips as my head collapsed over my laptop. My insides were crumpled with worry. All the agencies where I had submitted my paper, not one of them had called me back for an interview.The shrill sound of my phone's ringtone pulled me out of my chain of tumultuous thoughts that were threatening to shake my core.I placed the phone over my ear, "how's it going?" Cassy asked over the phone.I sighed exasperatedly, "nothing working." There was silence for a while, the weight of my words must have left her speechless for some minutes.Then I heard a small shuffle before she spoke, "I'm sure something will work out soon enough." Her words only made the frustration in my chest brew even hotter, "soon enough? I can't work with that. There's no time. Something has to happen now." I said through gritted teeth.I closed my eyes, taking in a deep breath to soothe my brewing anger and frustration, trying to keep it from boiling over."I'm sorry if I sounded harsh but it's just that... it's looking hopeless." "Oh but you can't give up, not right now." She said, interrupting me.Her words were soothing at that point, filling my insides up with warmth. Her concern was like a balm to my injuries. It made me feel like I didn't have to carry all the burden all by myself. And that I had someone else who could help. "I wish it were really that simple. But thank you so much for calling. It really meant the world to me." I said,"Yes, well I'll be dropping over at the hospital very soon to see your father. He'll need some company." With that she ended the call, leaving me once again to my thoughts.Later in the day, I couldn't stay locked up in my room anymore. I had to go out and I had to do something. All the stories I had submitted didn't yield anything so perhaps I had the wrong story. I had something else in mind. The people didn't want to hear about nature or climate. What they really needed to hear was the real gossip. Something trendy and spicy. Something that will shake the crowd.I put on my denim jeans with white converse and a black long sleeve round neck top to go with. I styled my hair up in a bun. There was only one place I knew that had all the gossip in the world k was looking for. It was time to go and save my family. In a few hours, I was on Madison Avenue Upper East Side, Manhattan. My eyes were on one diner. It was famous and popular and had been serving UES since 1945, the Mansion Diner. It wasn't just where one would dine and wine—it was the best place to get the latest gossip. Even those that aren't on the news yet.I straightened my back and walked across the street. I had someone on the inside, a friend I could talk to that would give me exactly what I needed. I slowly pushed open the door and walked in gingerly, like I owned the place.It wouldn't be wise to make it obvious that I wasn't a customer, but a reporter—sort of. Businesses never liked us. Actually, no one does.I lowered myself into one of the circular cushions in one of the booths. I didn't want to draw too much attention to myself so I simply picked up the menu placed on the table and put it up in front of my face.Everything— even something as common as an Egg Salad cost a fortune. Anyways that wasn't why I was here."Miss, would you like anything?"My ears perked up. I knew exactly who that voice belonged to. I slowly slipped the menu down from my face and turned to her.At first, her eyes grew slightly wide and twinkled with confusion but it didn't take long for her confusion to be replaced with an angry looking face, one marked by her closely drawn eyebrows which stood out as her most prominent feature on her face—the dark thick thing on her face.A low grunt escaped her lips as she rolled her eyes at me and asked me through gritted teeth, "what in hell's name are you doing here?"I opened my mouth to speak—"I thought I made it clear to you already." She added through gritted teeth, cutting in before I could respond."Margery, calm down. You really have to learn to let bygones be bygones." I said, trying to sound reasonable.So I lied, she wasn't a friend but the twin sister to the half wit who had broken my heart. I paid him back in his own coin and that day, he left the school. Since then he's been nothing but a drunk who fu*ked around and so Margery blamed me for ruining her brother's life, forgetting that he had called me a sl*t in front of the whole school while secretly getting into the pants of my own best friend.They both deserved what they got and as much as I hate coming to her, I needed her.She turned to leave but I caught her hand, keeping her rooted to the spot. She tried to yank it away but I held it firmly."Listen, I know you hate me and trust me the feeling is mutual but I really need your help now." I said softly but my voice was firm and my gaze on hers, unwavering.She scoffed, a bitter sound, "and what makes you think I'll help you?""Because once when your brother and I were a thing, we used to be really close." She rolled her eyes at me and yanked her hand free, "well, those days are over." with that she walked away from me.Gosh! I couldn't risk creating a scene but I couldn't just let her go either. I walked briskly behind her as she walked over to the counter to take some more orders. I slammed my palms in front of the counter stopping her from taking any further step, my insides were turning with anger. I was trying to get her help for a very serious situation and she was here hating me over an issue "I need your help or else my father will die. My entire family's legacy will be lost." She stopped and looked at my hands that blocked her path, "look, let's not do this right here or you'll also ruin my life like you did my brother's." She was right. I moved away and let her continue with what she was doing. I returned back to the booth waiting for when she'll finally have time for me.It was already some hour past eight in the night. And I was getting rather impatient. My stomach grumbled, an indication of just how starved I was.My eyelids drooped with exhaustion. There was no use for this.I was about to stand up when suddenly she came to occupy the seat in front of me."Alright, what do you want from me?" She asked.She folded her arms against her chest."A story. One that will never be ignored. One that will continue to be told for a very long time." I replied, feeling all hope that was gone filling me up once again.She was mute for a while before her expression turned dry, "and you think I'm the one who will give you that story?" I sighed, trying to ease down my frustration, "look, I know that you know something or someone. It's what you do best. Even at school. You usually have information about everyone. It's your gift."She rolled her eyes at me, "oh spare me. Anyways, you're not wrong there. And yes, I do know someone who will give you the biggest story in the city. It's still going around as a rumor and it hasn't been published in any editorial since no one knows the source. But I do. So it's your chance but—" she stopped and eyed me skeptically, I was running out of time at the moment and I could feel excitement bubbling up inside me, "but what?""You haven't told me how important this is. I'm not going to buy that shitty story that it's a life or death situation because all you journalists are the same. Meddlesome.""Well, I need the money. My father is confined to a hospital bed and in the next few months, we might also lose Evergreen Post and even if my father makes it out alive from the surgery, losing his baby will end up sending him back." I said, the urgency settling in my tone.She eyed me skeptically. I could see the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. She wasn't sure she should be doing me this good. But after what seemed like ages she finally spoke up.She reached into her pocket and pulled out a piece of paper which she scribbled on.She slid it over to me."That's the person you should meet. He's the source." She said this and stood up, "now get out before you cost me my job."I stared at what she had written down. A name—Victor Harrington.