Blood and Roses

chapter five

I ran faster and harder. Fatigue settled hard on my muscles and I could barely breathe but I kept going. My pretty dress was ripped in multiple places and blood and dirt decorated the once flawless fabric. My ankles were sore and red from the exercise and pebbles rolled under my feet, causing the joint to twist in an uncomfortable manner. Pain shot upwards from my sprained ankle to my whole body. I grew light-headed, weaker and tired with every step.

Bile rose at the back of my throat and for the first time, I stopped to empty the contents in my stomach.

With no destination in mind, nothing to keep the freezing cold out, I crouched close to a dumpster and let my tears flow.

There was no one to comfort me, no one to protect me. I was all alone.

I cried but the knot in my chest seemed to get tighter and tighter with each drop.

Every single part of me ached, when my red puffy eyes couldn't cry anymore and I couldn't stop the pounding in my head, I succumbed to the warm embraces of sleep. As expected, my worst fear in masks were present to haunt me.

It's been two months since the terrible incident. I have been moving from dumpster to dumpster, rummaging for food and discarded clothes to keep the cold out. Luck seemed to be on my side. I found a friend, a young man who seemed trust worthy, he offered to help take me to a foster care. He promised no questions would be asked about my past and I would get a place to sleep, warm clothes to wear and food in my belly.

The streets was not a safe place for an eight year old child, anything could happen anytime so I grabbed the opportunity. Clutching the locket Royce gave me before he died, I wept silently and hoped my parents and brother would watch over me from above and keep me safe or maybe this would be another nightmare and I would wake up and have my family by my side. A loud meow from a stray cat in the corner dragged my lazy mind back to reality.

Yes! This was real and I had to face it.

With no strength left, I succumbed to my faith, took the hands of the young man and let him lead me to where ever we were going. I prayed inwardly with hope that I wasn't making a wrong decision but on a second thought, what other worse thing could happen to me.

I guess I'll just have to wait and see...