*The time is all abit muddled, sorrry. It takes place roughly just before the Beach Episode. Rates and reviews would be lovely :)*
"So whatcha got for me Alex?" The small blonde boy took out a half eaten chocolate bar from his pocket, and handed it to the teenager. She squinted at it, picking off the wrapper. "Bit on the smallish side this week, huh?"
"I'm sorry Ramona, pickings ain't so good no more."
"Don't worry bout it kiddo. Just make up for it, alright?"
"Sure will!" He saluted, and rushed off behind the dumpster and down the alley. Ramona stretched on the mattress, and began wolfing down the chocolate bar. It was a few simple seconds of heaven, and filled her empty belly. It was getting progressively colder, and Ramona was lucky enough to have a bed to sleep on, extremely unusual on the street. Most people respected her, she'd been sleeping rough for about a year. She got by.
Ramona was about to start snoozing, when a small clink from the alley in front of her made her start. She grabbed the penknife from her boot and stood up, facing the darkness.
"Whoever's out there, I'm armed. Try anything and so help me, I'll stick this in your head."
A shadowy figure became clearer. They were taller than Ramona (that wasn't hard, she'd always been short), thin and had their arms above their head. A voice, male but young, called out. "I'm not gonna hurt you, promise."
The figure came into the light. He didn't look much older than Ramona, fifteen at most. He had lots of freckles, and brown, reddish hair. Ramona knew better than to put down her knife.
"Just looking for a place to stay."
"Well you can get out, my beds taken, and I'm not in the mood for sharing."
He looked a little hurt for a second, but the glare came back into his eyes.
"Fine. Do you know whether there's a place, or...?"
"Nope."
A loud screech from a car made them both jump.
"Hide me!" The boy grabbed Ramona by the hand and pulled her down onto the mattress, lying squashed up next to her. Ramona started to protest, but the boy put a hand over her mouth and even though she tried hard to bite him, refused to move it.
"Liam?" an irish voice of a man shouted. He approached and Ramona and Liam both stayed quiet. "Liam?"
He turned towards them, and saw the two lying together. Liam pulled a face, and stood up. "Liam, you are in a lot of trouble young man."
Ramona stood up, and stared hard at Liam. "Running away from Daddy? Really?"
"Care worker, actually."
Ramona swore.
"Are you going to tell me why you were cozied up to a girl on a mattress who's clearly unimpressed?" asked the worker.
"Look, I don't know this kid, he just came over looking for a place to hide and he heard you coming. We're not dating."
"He's been missing for about a day. Not for the first time, eh Liam?"
Liam said nothing.
"I'm afraid you're coming too miss."
"What the hell?" She turned to run, but Liam grabbed her arm. "They'll look after you. It's not that bad," he hissed to her. Ramona considered her options.
"Fine."
"Well, the police have contacted Social Services and I think you should be okay to come to Elm Tree." said Mike, the worker who had found them both.
"The dumping ground," added Liam.
"Oh well that's a comforting thought," sighed Ramona. "Hey," Liam turned in his seat, and faced her. "It's not that bad, promise."
He looked down to the box she was clutching. "What's in that then?" Ramona didn't let go when he tried to tug it out and snapped. "My stuff, now get your hands off it you son of a-"
"Ramona." Mike took Liam's hand away from the box. "We respect others things, right Liam?"
"Sorry."
The three sat in silence in the police station, waiting.
*Thanks for reading!*