A woman came walking towards me. She said I was going to live with her for a while. Until they had found me another home. She held out her hand and said.
''I'm Lena.''
''I'm Ashley.'' I reply. Together we walk to her car and put my stuff in the trunk. It is Saturday so I assume it is her day off. She seems nice. Once we were in the car she asks me
''Tell me something about yourself.''
''I'm 17. I love animals, the beach, going for a run, swimming.'' I say.
''My wife does too, maybe you could run with her. She always wants me to come alone but I have a terrible condition.''
With that the conversation was over and an awkward silence followed.
When we are at the house I get out and get my suitcase. I follow Lena into the house. We go into the kitchen and I see a blonde woman reading a magazine. She looks up and says ''Hi.''
''Hi.'' I say back
''I'm Stef.''
''Ashley.''
''So would you like something to drink?'' She asks me. She seems sweet.
''Water.'' I reply. I notice Lena is gone. A few moments later she comes in followed by 5 other kids.
''Ashley this is, Mariana, Jude, Brandon, Callie and Jesus.'' Lena says.
''Hi.'' I say a bit uncomfortable.
''Let's sit down.'' Stef says and she is the first one to sit down. The others follow and I decide to sit down too. I sit in between Jesus and Stef.
''Let's go around the table, you have to say something about yourself, just like you did when I first got here.'' Callie suggest.

''I'll start.'' Lena says, ''I'm a vice principal at school.''
''I love playing piano.'' Brandon says.
''I'm in the dance team at school.'' Mariana says.
''I aced my grammar test today.'' Jude says proud.
''I love photography.'' Callie says

''I have a girlfriend named Hayley.'' Jesus says.
Now it's my turn. What do I say. I think.
''I love swimming and going for a run.'' I say a bit ashamed that I couldn't find a better answer.
''I'm a cop.'' Stef says. That's when we have all said something.
''Anyone wants to share anything?'' Stef asks.
''I do.'' I say and I see Stef looking at me a bit surprised.
''I get that I'm new and you don't know anything about me,'' I start saying. I'm look at the piece of paper that I'm playing with in my hands.
''but if you want to know anything about me, feel free to ask.'' I continue. It's not fully true but I've told the lie about the last few years of my life so many times that it almost starts feeling like the truth.

''Where are you from?'' I hear Mariana ask.
''I was born in France but after 4 years we moved to the sates.'' I say, glad I don't have to lie after the past few years yet.
''So you speak French and English?'' Jude asks.
''And Dutch, German.'' I admit.
'' Je m'appelle Jesus. That's correct right?''Jesus asks.
''Yeah it is.'' And a small smile appears on my face when I hear Jude and Mariana trying to say it too.
''Can you say something in all those languages?'' Jude asks.
''Sure what would you like me to say?'' I ask.
''Hello, I'm Mariana.'' Mariana says.
''Hallo ik ben Mariana. That's Dutch.
Hallo, Ich bin Mariana. That's German.
Bonjour, Je m'appelle Mariana. That's French.''
''Alright kids, go do your homework or something.'' Stef says and everyone leaves the room. I stare at my glass of water. I know what was coming and I know I had to start my first day with lying.
''How come you speak all those languages?'' Stef asks.
I grew up with English and French and in France we also learnt German at school. Dutch I learnt from a girl I met a while back.''
''Would you like to tell us your story?'' Lena asks.
''There's not much to tell. My mom left me after birth with my dad and sister. My dad killed my sister and then himself. I lived on the streets for two years before I got put in the system.'' I said. I was glad they didn't ask about the years I spent living on the streets. I see they are kind of shocked by my life. It's been so long ago I forgot how it may seems for others. I see they don't know anything to say.
''Can I use the bathroom?'' I ask. I don't need to go but I just need a moment to myself.
''Yeah it's right around the corner.'' Stef says.
I walk in the bathroom and lock the door. I realize my hands are shaking. I pull up my sleeves and splash some water in my face. I feel a bit more calm so I dry off my face and unlock the door. Before I step out I pull down my sleeves so they hide the scars. I walk back in a notice Lena is gone. ''Lena is upstairs with talking to the kids about the rooms.'' Stef says before I can say anything.
''I don't mind sleeping on the couch, I can understand if they don't want to give up their rooms.'' I say quickly.
''Trust me, after one night on that couch you will reconsider what you just said. It's like you're laying on stones.'' Stef says. I give her a small smile.
''Can I help you with anything?'' I ask as soon as I realize she's starting dinner.
''No thank you. Why don't you go up and see if they have moved all their stuff yet.'' Stef says. I walk towards the stairs when I turn around. Stef is already facing the stove.
''Thank you.'' I say and I walk out, not waiting for a reply.

When I get upstairs I see Lena. Before I can say anything I see Mariana coming towards me.
''You're gonna be sleeping with me.'' She says and she drags me towards a room. I see a few things still laying around what's Callie's but she comes and takes them. Lena comes in.
''Ashley, you're with Mariana, Jesus is with Brandon and Callie and Jude are in a room too. Why don't you get your stuff and you can get settled before dinner?'' Lena says.
''Okay.'' I reply, a bit overwhelmed. Once I'm upstairs again with my suitcase I open it. I take out a picture frame with a lot of pictures in it and put it on my night stand. I also take out a pen and writing book. I put in my earphones and start writing. I don't realize Mariana has left for diner. I don't hear Stef come in either. She touches my shoulder, in a reflex I get her hand and my other hand is about to go up to her head when she gets it. I take out my earphones and she looks at my shocked.
''I'm so sorry. It's a reflex. I'm so sorry." I apologize. I can already feel what she's thinking. What have a been through to get such a reflex. I hope she will not ask about it.
"Let's get to diner." She says and she gives me a smile. She's touching her wrist and I can already see a bruise coming from where I held her.
"I'm sorry." I say once again. She holds out her hand and I place mine in it. Together we go downstairs.
After diner I change in some workout clothes and ask if I can go for a run.
"Sure, can I tag along?" Stef asks me. I didn't want to say no so I nodded.
At 7 we left, we ran for about 30 when Stef started walking.
"Aren't you tired yet?" She asks me, catching her breath.
"Not really." I admit.
"Where did you get a condition like that."
"Training I guess." After 5 minutes of walking we started running again. Half an hour later we walked again for 5 minutes and I was getting a bit tired now too. "How are you not dying yet." Stef jokes.
"Running is my thing." I say and I start running again. At 8:30 we were home.

"I'm going to shower, is that okay?" I ask.
"Yes, sure, go ahead." Stef says and she walks toward the kitchen.
Later that night I came down and everyone was in the living room watching TV.
"Come sit with us." Stef says and she makes a place between her and Lena. I could feel the both of them looking at me once every once in a while.
The phone rings and Lena stands up to answer it.
"Who even calls at this time." She says. A little later she comes back.
"Ashley" She says and I look up. "It's for you. Someone named Steve McCarthy?" She looks at me for an explanation. I ignore her look and take the phone.
"Ashley." I say as I walk into the kitchen.
"Ashley it's detective McCarthy. We need your help again. Emilio's organisation is still going. We found a way to get to him but we need your help to do it. I know I said it was done but we need you."
"He thinks he sold me to you so you want him to buy me back."
"Yes, we need you there for a few days. We need to know where everyone is and how many people we are dealing with."
"I-I just found a home. They don't know about this. I will do it, but only if I can tell them."
"Ashley, they might compromise this whole operation."
"They won't, I promise. I want to tell them. Otherwise you can find someone else."
"Okay. But only the parents, no one else."
"Thank you."
"Goodbye, and Ashley you deserve a home. I hope this is a good one."
"Me too." with that I hang up the phone. How am I going to tell them? Would they still want me once they hear it?
"You okay?" I hear behind me. It's Mariana.
"Yeah, I'm good." I say.
"Goodnight." She says.
"night." I say. I need to clear my head so I go to the back porch. I sit on the ground and look up to the sky. I hear Stef and Lena coming outside. I assume everyone has gone to bed. They sit down next to me and look up too.

A/n: I don't really do cliffhangers. I've writen this story for a friend of mine and I thought I might as well post it online. I have one more chapter after this. I hope you like it. Review if you did and I'm open for all and any idea's just tell me and I'll write it! x