It was around 4 in the morning and the sun had started to rise across the skies casting its orange and pink glow across the city. The Dumping Ground was sleeping peacefully and basking in the sun's warmth.
In one particular room, the sun's rays zoomed in through the crack in the electric blue curtains illuminating the golden girl in her bed. For once she looked at peace. She felt safe.
She stirred and her eyes opened blinking the sleep out. Her green-grey eyes wrinkled up with a smile. Content.
It wouldn't last. So she had to make the most of it. She slipped her bare feet into her fluffy blue slippers. She stretched. She was so grateful for her bed, her slippers and her comfort. You'd be grateful too; if you were her.
She yearned for the sun and the garden. So to the garden she went, ignoring her muddied dressing gown. The only reality.
She snuck out gracefully; it was natural to her. She stepped into the garden, and immediately regretted leaving her gown behind. It might have looked warm; but some things give out more light than heat...
She crossed her arms round herself and looked around. Any minute now..
"Elektra"
She spun round and uncrossed her arms with surprise. He made no attempt to walk towards her, even though they both knew he wanted to.
"I wish it could go back to before," he stated, in that unusual deep tone he only used around her.
Elektra welcomed his voice, "So do I"
She stepped forward and took his hands in hers. She couldn't look into his eyes. It would hurt too much.
"Sometimes, you can only wish for things you'll never have," she whispered. She let go and ran back towards the house and stopped to see if he was still there.
He was. He stood there smiling. He was upset, but he would never show it.
"But I always end up back here don't I? The Dumping Ground," he chuckled with that classic cheeky grin of his. It was like music to her ears.
She stumbled back into the house when she heard a crash. She whipped her head round, her smile disappearing. White. The garden was white. Maybe it's the sun.. But deep down she knew it wasn't. It was endless nothingness. It was all for nothing.
No.
It was reality.
Elektra woke up screaming, the cold hitting her sharply even though she was wearing all her clothes. She remembered she was behind a Tesco's and immediately started to wrestle herself out of her battered sleeping bag. She had to get out of here fast.
She stopped when she felt eyes opposite her. A bemused old couple were staring at her. Great. Just what she needed.
"First night on the street, love? Most of us are used to the noise.. well I say most of us.."
"Reg!" said the lady noticing Elektra glaring daggers at 'Reg',"Don't mind him sweetheart. I get nightmares too.. ABOUT THE BLOODY COUNCIL CHUCKING PENSIONERS OUT THEIR HOME!"
Elektra managed a smile at the woman's resilience.
"Well.. I must be off," Elektra stated packing her few items away.
"Oh?" said the lady, "Well you be careful.. there's lots of bad folk round here"
"I know," Elektra said darkly before setting off on her adventures. I say adventure, but it wasn't fun. Trying to find food, water, not get thrown out, not get attacked etc. etc.
She had to be alert. 24/7.
She stopped outside a shop window and stared at her reflection. She looked like a wreck. Nothing changed there then. Lately, she'd been looking for excuses to see what she looked like. She was unrecognisable. But she still had hope. Maybe she'd miraculously turn back into herself again.
The girl defined by blue. The girl no one messed with. Elektra.
She wiped away her tears on the back of her sleeve. If only..
The café door opened with a jingle. Elektra prepared to scram.
"Wait, my boss ain't here and look like you need feeding up. Doubt you'll get food anywhere else," the lady said. Elektra caught of whiff of coffee. She felt too hungry to argue.
"So..." said the waitress sitting down with coffee and scones, "What's a young'un like you doing on the streets?"
Elektra didn't really want to answer. It was too complicated. But she ought to show some gratitude for the meal.
"Thank you for this, it's really kind of you" she stated honestly.
The woman forgot her question and smiled instantly. "Well take a bite then and tell me how it is!"
Elektra nibbled on the scone and her insides melted. "Amazing," she breathed.
The waitress blushed, "I really want to be a professional in some restaurant one day. That would be my dream!"
Elektra noticed how beautiful the waitress looked when she smiled. The lady in front of her radiated warmth and comfort. Elektra felt underdressed somehow. Her exterior was too hard and cold, this lady didn't deserve to make conversation with a brick wall.
"Sorry.. I didn't realise.. stupid of me to dream when someone like you.."
"It's okay," Elektra smiled finding her manners, "I'm sure you're an amazing cook. What's your name?"
"Stacey," the lady replied, "Don't worry about paying for this, you can take some to save for another meal if you like. Oh where's my manners gone, I haven't asked your name!"
"Elektra"
"Well I never! What a name! Don't worry about them customers, leave when you want. I've got to go serve them now.."
"Thank you Stacey" Elektra stated suddenly.
"It's alright love" Stacey said touching Elektra's cheek. Elektra felt tears running down her cheek. Somewhere in this mad world, a stranger cared about her.
She stuffed the scones into her bag and left the shop smiling to herself. She could feel eyes on her but she was used to it. Perhaps there was hope after all.
Elektra heard the sirens behind her, but for once she didn't seem to care. She felt her hands being yanked into cuffs but she was in a daze. She never understood why she ended up in a cell with a lady saying something about a fine. A fine?
She finally woke up.
"Why am I here?"
The two ladies in uniform stared at her amused.
"For stealing scones from a café, a customer reported you. You'll get off with a fine though. What's your name?"
"Elektra Perkins.." Elektra said instinctively without thinking.
"Follow us"
Elektra followed bemused. Stealing scones? She'd gotten into fights, had illegal sex, drunk alcohol, stolen cars and jewellery and here she was for stealing scones, which she didn't even steal. She giggled.
"What's funny madam?"
"I didn't even steal the scones. I've been on the streets, the lady felt sorry for me"
One of the policewomen seemed sympathetic but the other muttered something about a £5 fine.
"I have no money"
"I'm sure you'll find £5 somehow!"
Elektra shook her head. These women had no idea how precious a fiver was.
"Well do you know anyone who can pay off your fine? We've done some digging, do you have a sister called Melissa Perkins?"
Elektra nodded.
"Well she seems like she can pay your fine for ya!"
"She's dead"
The lady's mouth rounded in shame, "oh"
"It says here you used to be a care kid. Do you know a Michael Milligan?"
"No" Elektra said between her teeth. He couldn't find out, not after all this time.
"Well tough cos he's going to pay your fine"