Escape

Chapter 2

The streets are dark, with only the half broken street lamps providing any light. I am trying to keep in the darkness, but I can't see very well. Suddenly I am on the ground, my side is killing me. I can see a small alleyway, this is going to be painful, but I must find cover. The lamppost is supporting me as I stand up, my legs threatening to give way. I didn't realise how weak I am after getting out of the pipes. 

"Do you need some help little lady." A middle aged woman approaches me.

"No. I'm only tired." She cannot see my face, she might recognize it and I will not let her ruin my plan. 

"Are you sure? I can help you." The woman comes closer.

"NO! Fuck off!" I yell. The woman backs away. She obviously didn't expect me to say that. Oh well, at least she is gone. Time to make my way to the alley, slowly and hopefully steadily. 

Ok, I made it, what now? It has been so long since I have been in the real world. I don't know what to do anymore, whats socially acceptable? You know what, that doesn't matter, the only thing that matters is finding my mother and not letting the cops find me. 

I look around, a box, some form of shelter. Nothing. I guess I'm sleeping on the floor tonight, I can't imagine it to be much different from my bed in prison. Although I don't have a blanket and pillow, too bad. I mustn't feel sorry for myself and become weak, because the weak ones always get caught. 

Surprisingly the ground is much more comfortable than my bed in prison. The stars above me are something that I haven't seen in 5 years, I forgot how beautiful the night sky is. My eyes are getting droopy and heavy, and I need my sleep if I am going to get past the cops.

The sun wakes me up, it's rays cover me. I don't think I have woken up to the sun before, even before jail I never slept out in the open. As I get up I can hear rustling in the bin a few metres away from me. Quietly I approach the bin and peer over the edge. I stagger backwards from the attack, my face is bleeding, the claw marks will surely scar. The cat jumps to the ground and then climbs into a different bin. I won't make that mistake again, the claw marks will make me stand out. That is the last thing I want, but for now I need to focus on stopping the bleeding and covering it up as best as I can.

Although people do stare, no one says anything about my cuts. My face feels like it's on fire, which does't help me when I am trying to seem normal and calm.

"Hey! Come back here girl!" A man shouts at me. I don't even turn around to look at him, I just start sprinting. His footsteps are quiet, but I can tell he isn't far behind me. This is not good, if he is a cop or recognises me, I am as good as dead. My footsteps are getting slower and so are his, but I can tell that soon enough he will have caught up to me. 

I find myself falling, with a large weight falling on top of me. "Look, I don't want to hurt you. I just want to help." The man gets off of me and brushes himself off quickly before grabbing my hand so I can't escape.

"That's what they all say. So what are you, a cop, a bounty hunter, or what?" I am looking at him, he doesn't look like a either of those things.

"What? No! I'm a doctor and I saw those...marks on your face and I thought I better check if you need medical assistance." Oh, he's fast for a doctor. Anyways, at least he doesn't know who I am.

"Oh, ok. But it's really not necessary, I'm fine. Can I go now?" 

"I'm afraid not, those look like claw marks. They could be infected, but don't worry, it will only be a quick trip to the hospital." Oh, no. I cannot go to the hospital, I went there on that fateful day after the accident. Some of the nurses and doctors might recognise me. "Do you have a parent nearby we can contact, they can take you to the hospital. You would probably be more comfortable with them."

"No. I don't have any parents that are contactable. And I am not going to the hospital."

"I don't mean to be rude, but without a guardian...are you...homeless?"

"I guess you could say that."