Disclaimer: Why must I do this? **Insert sad face here** I don't own anything.

A/N: I was asked to do a prologue of my new story by Izzy, so I thought I'd give it a go. So just as a bit of background info, it's kind of a sequel to Old Friends Are Best, but not quite. I'm only calling it a sequel because Liam (aka Crash) is still going to be at Elm Tree for his training and Seth and Tracy are together.

Prologue

The streets were deserted. Leaves and debris from the street moved by the chill wind created the only movement to be seen. Anna watched them for a moment as a sudden gust made them dance crazy patterns in the air, transfixed by the motion. From her position, hidden behind a stack of rubbish deep into the alleyway, she knew that she was invisible, but she also knew that she would have to move soon. She hadn't eaten anything but a crust of stale bread in the last two days, too scared to come out of her hiding place. But now the hunger pains were getting worse, and she knew she couldn't hold out much longer.

Gathering her courage, she compulsively checked her small battered backpack to make sure she still had her meagre supply of possessions before taking the plunge. Hooking the straps over her too thin shoulders, Anna stepped out into the moonlight for the first time in over forty-eight hours. It was a bright night which meant that although the many street lights around her were broken, Anna had no trouble seeing around her.

Cautiously, she crept through the silent streets, jumping back into the shadows at every noise, real or imagined. She knew that there was a restaurant a few streets away, and was hoping that their bins would be full of leftovers, just waiting for the taking. Smiling to herself at the thought, she realised that it was only three weeks ago that she would never have dreamed that she would have to go through bins just to survive. But a lot had happened in those three small weeks. Her smile started to falter as the memories came back. NO! She thought suddenly. No. It's okay now, I'm safe. I don't have to live like that any more.I'm safe.

It had become her personal mantra over the last few days, a magic spell to keep the bad thoughts at bay. Most of the time it worked, and that was enough for her at the moment, she had other things to worry about just now. Like food.

She was getting closer now, the streets becoming more busy as she moved into a more lived in part of the town. She had to be more careful now. Keeping close to the shadows, she quickly made her way the street across from the restaurant and hid in a doorway, waiting. She had to make sure the coast was clear, she couldn't get caught. They'd send her back and then...

Shaking her head as if physically remove the thoughts from her head she decided to make her move. Looking uneasily around her she moved more purposely towards her destination, determination in her step. She was almost at the bins, maybe five yards top. Closer now, she could smell the acrid stench of rotten food, this was it, she almost there, she could almost touch it.

Stopping suddenly, she flattened herself against the wall and held her breath. She was sure she had heard it. Were they real? The footsteps behind her. Or just her mind playing tricks on her once more? Taking a deep breathe, she forcibly calmed herself and decided to keep going as no other sound was heard.

Bracing herself against the wall, she pushed off with both hands, intending to take the last few metres at a run. She didn't get very far though. She had barely pushed off when strong hands had clamped down on her shoulders rooting her to the spot. Twisting her face round in shock, she saw the vibrant coloured high-visibility vest of a policeman. Stunned now, she frantically cast her glance back to bins. She had been so close.

Dully she realised that he was talking to her, asking her questions. Asking her name, her address. What she was doing out here all alone? All questions she couldn't answer without fear of being sent back. "No." She whispered, her voice barely audible over the crackling of the radio as the he called for help. "Please no. Don't send me back." Her whispers fell to quiet sobs, as tears began to stream down her grimy face. She glanced once more at the bins, her previously happiness at the thought of them now a dim memory of the past. They were the last things she remembered seeing before passing out, the stress and hunger of her time living rough finally catching up to her.

A/N: Two notes in one chapter OMG! But anyway, I won't be able to get the next chapter up till next Sunday at least, this is just a teaser of all the good things to come lol. It turned out to be a bit more than 100-200 words though, I think a got a bit carried away.

Tell me what you think.