This story starts in Series 1 of Tracy Beaker Returns. Yes, I'll be changing a few things.

"UGH, I HATE YOU." I shouted as I ran upstairs and into my room, slamming the door. My parents and siblings were shouting now, but I paid no attention. I let tears dribble down my cheeks. Why did they hate me?

I sighed and walked over to my cupboard. I pulled out a box and opened it. My phone and headphones were in there, along with a tiger hair clip, a tennis ball, a necklace, and a tiny book. I closed it and put it on my bed next to my beloved rabbit. As I kicked off my slippers, I felt the ground suddenly start shaking.

"EARTHQUAKE!" Mum shouted.

I reacted quickly. I grabbed the box, my beloved rabbit and my dressing gown and dived into my wardrobe with them in my hands. I threw myself in and closed the door, covering my head as well as holding my precious things. I heard yells and screams (some my own) and I heard things collapsing in the rest of the house. Then, I rolled sideways and whacked my head against the side of the cupboard.

The last thing I saw before everything went black was my clothes, and the precious things I was holding tightly in my hands. Then, I was unconscious.


I could vaguely hear voices.

"CHARLIE!"

"CHARLIE?!"

"Charlie, where are you?"

"Charlie…CHARLIE…"

"Charlie please!"

"She's okay right, tell me she's okay!"

But before I could open my mouth to shout that it was fine, I was fine…I felt my eyes roll back into my head and I fainted.


I could feel people hauling me out of the cupboard, and I could hear faraway voices, but I was still vaguely unconscious, so I yet again fell unconscious.


When I finally woke up properly, I was in hospital. I sat up, looking round wildly, and I was relieved when I saw the dressing gown, my rabbit and the box of precious stuff, on a chair beside my bed.

"Hello, Charlie." A woman said, stepping forward. "I'm Tracy, and this is Mike." She gestured to a man behind her.

"Where are my family?" I asked, shaking slightly.

"We…" Tracy and Mike exchanged a glance.

"We don't know." Tracy admitted.

"We found no other people in the house, even in the ruins. So they could be anywhere…dead or alive. I'm sorry, Charlie." Mike said softly.

"But…where will I stay in the meantime? Until they come back for me?" I asked.

"You'll be coming with us, to a care home named Elm Tree House." Tracy said.

I sighed, then nodded slowly. "O-okay."

"The doctors just need to double check that you're really okay, and then we'll take you back there. Just relax. Everything will be fine." Mike promised.

I found myself believing him.