I have had this idea running around in my head for a while and finally got round to starting to put it down on paper, I have a plan for this story but who knows what might happen when I get further into it. Anyway here is the first chapter, not sure what to think about it all really...

Chapter One

Emily

I was so cold as once again I settled down in a shop doorway; I could feel my whole body shivering as the darkness began to creep in as night fell all over again. I hugged my knees to my chest trying to create even the smallest amount of warmth as I watched people walking by, I felt so invisible as everybody avoided meeting my gaze, I could tell what they were thinking 'another young girl running away probably with a drug addiction that's torn her family apart.' I really wish people wouldn't judge others without knowing the full story, you can never really know a person's story unless you take the time to stop and talk to them but I guess in the society we live today it is easier to judge. I had been out here about a week now just wandering the streets looking for any scraps of food I could find, drinking water from the taps in public toilets and moving from one shop doorway to another. My whole body ached and I was covered in bruises and my eyes were sore with tiredness, I haven't slept the last couple of nights, who am I kidding I haven't slept all week but the last couple of night especially, I didn't dare close my eyes after the other night, the night I knew I would never be able to forget , the night I knew would haunt me for a long time to come, just the thoughts now made me want to scream and I felt the tears forming in my eyes. I ducked my head just wanting to curl up and forget about everything the sobs quietly escaping however hard I tried to stop them.

A while later, I don't know how long as time didn't seem to matter anymore I didn't have to be anywhere at any particular time, I heard a soft voice "Are you ok love?"

I lifted my head slowly with a mix of surprise and thankfulness, it had felt like forever since anyone had spoken to me, the one thing I can honestly say I've felt during this last week is invisible and I mean completely invisible. I met the eyes belonging to the lady crouched down to my level as I drew my knees closer to my body, fear from the other night creeping in all over again "I'm fine."

She smiled slightly and I knew she could see my fear "It's ok, I'm not going to hurt you, I want to help you." I could see her searching my eyes for a reaction I really didn't know how to react though "I'm Gina by the way, Gina Campbell."

She reached out her hand to shake mine and hesitantly I moved my arm reaching out to take her hand "I'm Emily." I didn't want to give her my full name.

She moved slightly so she was sitting next to me "Emily I know we have only just met and I don't want to come across as rude but you look terrible, you're covered in scratches and bruises, I can see you are scared and you are shivering so I know you must be absolutely freezing."

I shivered "It's ok I know I look rough and it is shit scary to be out here but I haven't got much choice I don't have anywhere else to go."

I could see the concern in her eyes as she turned to me again "I was serious earlier Emily I want to help you, you are only a young girl, in fact you look about the same age as my daughter and I wouldn't want her in this situation as much as I don't want to see you in this situation."

I sighed "What can you do to help me?"

She smiled slightly "I can give you a roof over your head, three meals a day and a hot shower."

I was confused and I couldn't stop the thoughts running through my head 'why would a complete stranger want to help me.' I wanted to scream why me, why me, why me? Instead I returned her smile "Why would you want to help me?"

She looked into my eyes "There are many reasons, one because you are a young girl who looks like she could do with some care and attention and I would hope someone would do the same for my Naomi if she did find herself in this situation god forbid, two because everyone has a story and I can see yours isn't good, I can see you have been through something traumatic, don't worry I am not going to push you but I want you to know you have someone you can talk to when you are ready and three just because I want to help you, show you there is some good in the world."

I couldn't help but smile as a tear rolled down my cheek "That is the nicest thing anyone has said to me in a long time."

She smiled "Will you let me help you Emily?"

I took a deep breath with so many thoughts swirling round my head, I knew I would be taking a risk I didn't know anything about this women but I could see she was friendly and she appeared genuine. I couldn't help but think I would be so much safer with her than out here with some of the scum I have come across. I slowly nodded my head and spoke softly "Yeah, Ok."

She smiled "Good because I wasn't going to give up." She shifted her body standing up before reaching out to me. I took a deep breath as I reached up to take her hand, she helped me up from the ground and I screamed out, I couldn't help it as all the pain shot through my body. Gina looked concerned "Emily what happened?"

I shook my head "I don't want to talk about it, I'm not ready."

She nodded "Ok, whenever you're ready."

I suddenly felt guilty this women was trying to help me and I wasn't exactly being nice. I looked into her eyes and I could instantly see the warmth and the kindness. I pulled my hand from hers and slowly lifted my top a little revealing the dark bruises across my stomach and ribs "I'm not ready to talk about what happened but this is what caused the pain just now, it's not just my face that is battered and bruised."

She looked concerned "I should take you to the hospital you need checking over."

I quickly shook my head and snapped "No." I paused "Sorry I shouldn't have snapped but I don't want to go to hospital, they will ask questions and I'm not ready to answer them, I will be ok."

She didn't say anything and for that I was thankful, she had obviously listened to my explanation and probably seen the fear in my eyes and she just led me in the direction we needed to go in a comfortable silence.

After about 15 minutes of walking she opened a small wooden gate and began walking up the path. I paused wondering again if this was the right thing. Gina saw I had stopped and took a few steps back towards me "Are you ok?"

A tear slipped down my cheek "Are you sure about this, I will be ok you know, you have Naomi to think about."

She smiled slightly "Don't you worry about Naomi I will handle her. I want to help you Emily, I want to know that you are safe."

I nodded "Ok."

We entered the house and immediately the warmth enveloped me and I had never been so thankful. Gina closed the door and a young girl about my age came running down the stairs "Fuck mum where have you been? I have been so worried." She stopped when she saw me "Who's this?"

I couldn't help but notice how gorgeous Naomi was with her shoulder length blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. She looked directly at her mum as Gina began explaining "Love please don't be so rude, Emily is going to be a guest in our house. I found her in a shop doorway and knew she needed our help."

Naomi looked annoyed "I thought you had fucking stopped this mum, you promised me."

Gina glared at her daughter "Emily needs help love, look at her, she is covered in cuts and bruises, she is freezing cold and was shit scared when I found her. She is young Naomi, probably the same age as you and all I can hope is that if this was you someone would do what I am doing for Emily now."

Everything was quiet for a few seconds; I could feel the tension as Naomi turned to me. I turned away from her gaze "It's ok I will go I don't want to cause any trouble between the two of you."

I moved towards the door about to leave when Naomi spoke "No its ok stay." With that she spun around and took herself off upstairs.

Gina smiled slightly "Don't worry about her, she can be a bit prickly at times but she will come around. Now come through to the kitchen and I will clean up your face before getting you some towels so you can have a shower. I will then cook you a hot dinner, you look like you need a few hot dinners."

I smiled feeling the happiest I had in a long time "Thanks Gina that sounds great."

She led me into the kitchen and directed me to sit on one of the wooden chairs as she filled up a small bowl with warm water and grabbed some cotton pads before sitting opposite me "This might sting a little."

I nodded "Ok."

She was so gently with me and I felt so cared for, the feeling almost took away the pain from the stinging. She smiled slightly "You've really been through the wars."

I nodded slightly "I try not to think about it." I knew I was lying because what had happened last week and a couple of days ago was the only thing I could think about both day and night. It was something I knew would never leave me and was so thankful Gina wasn't pushing me to talk.

A few minutes later she stood and tipped the water away "If you follow me I will show you the bathroom and get you some towels, take as long as you want in the shower. Then once you are done come down to the kitchen again and there will be something ready for you to eat."

I smiled, I couldn't help it "Thank you so much Gina."

She smiled and handed me some towels "You're welcome Emily."

She left me alone for my shower after grabbing some clean clothes from Naomi for me. I stripped off putting my dirty clothes in the laundry basket as Gina had asked and stood still just letting the hot water run over my skin, I immediately felt my body relax a little as I cleaned the dirt smears from my skin. I felt the sadness wash over me when I caught a glimpse of all my bruises again, every thought and feeling came back to me and the only thing that stopped me from screaming out was knowing that here I am safe.

After a while I dried myself off and put on the pyjamas that were amongst the pile Gina had given me and made my way downstairs. On the table in the kitchen was a plate of pasta, my stomach rumbled and Gina laughed "Dig in."

I sat down and quickly started eating feeling so hungry. Gina sat with me "We will go out and buy you some clothes and other bits tomorrow."

I smiled slightly "You don't have to do that Gina."

She nodded "I want to Emily, you don't have anything to call your own and that's not right so I won't listen to any arguments from you ok."

I knew better than to argue as there was such a look of determination on Gina's face "Ok."

I finished my second plate of pasta and for the first time in a week I felt full. I quickly drank the juice in front of me, my thirst catching up with me as Gina glanced across at me from the sink "Can I get you anything else love?"

I smiled as I shook my head "I'm ok thanks, that was absolutely amazing and I don't want to seem rude but I'd just like to sleep now, I am so tired."

Gina smiled "I will show you your room."

I followed her upstairs and she opened the door on the left "Make yourself at home love."

I smiled before looking round the room taking everything in, the room was painted cream with a couple of framed pictures on the walls. There was a double bed positioned under the window with a set of draws at either side and a wardrobe in the corner. I turned to Gina "Thank you for this, you know for everything. You didn't have to help me."

She smiled and I knew she wanted to hug me, she didn't though and I was thankful for that, I don't think I am ready for that contact from anyone and Gina could see that "You don't have to keep thanking me love, I wanted to help you, I am glad I can help you now go and jump into that bed and get some sleep and Emily remember you are safe here."

I smiled weakly and walked over to get into bed, once under the covers Gina flicked the light off and spoke softly "Night Emily."

In that moment I felt cared for again and whispered back "Night Gina" before feeling my tiredness pulling at my eyelids, the lack of sleep over the last week finally catching up with me now I knew I had a safe place to stay.