Chapter One
The rain beat down bouncing off the country lane. Crouching catatonic in the dark damp bushes she looked up and down the road watching for headlights or any sign she had been followed. Her large eyes darted constantly surveying her surroundings as she caught her breath. "Come on girl" she mumbled to herself in a quiet near whisper. She was so close to the only place she thought of when she needed a sanctuary that she couldn't risk getting caught now. A crash of thunder in the distance made the hairs on her alms and neck stand up – she had to move and move now. Keeping low as she weaved her way through the familiar trees circling the grounds she was grateful there was no moon shine illuminating her as a target.
The sandstone brick stuck out from the wall leaving a small ledge a little under two feet from the leaf covered floor. Pulling herself up by some low hanging branches she pushed off the ledge with all the energy she could muster. As she felt the momentum upwards she let go of the oak branch she had been using as leverage and grabbed the top of the wall. She hanged still while her foot felt for the small crack in the walls pointing – desperately seeking the foot hole she knew was there she felt a flush of elation as her toes jammed in the small crevasse. Now with a more secure grip her right hand reached and pushed hard on the metal security fence that was sat high on the perimeter wall. A small section of the black razor sharp spears hinged forward with a slight squeak. One final heave and up on top of the wall she sat, swinging her legs around and dropping the full distance to the floor the other side. Remaining in a crouched position the dark haired girl looked around, adrenalin surging about her body as she did. She was home. Picking up a thin stick from ditch by the wall she gradually eased the security fence back to its original position.
Getting into the schools ground floor was a simple task. Any ex pupil could have made it in from this point. The school was quiet with a cold air blowing through the aged glazing. In all her years hear she never remembered any time when there was quiet at St Trinians. She was glad however no one could see her. She needed shelter and this was the only place she ever thought of as home; however, the last thing she wanted to do was put her friends in any danger and if anyone found out that she was here danger would be inevitable. Slowly walking up the stairs to the top of the building she realised she hadn't looked behind her since landing on the floor after coming over the wall. Did she feel that secure here that she could let her guard down so easily? As she made a mental note to not be caught off guard again she came to a silent stop outside a heavy wooden door. Walking over to the window adjacent she gently but firmly pulled up the wooden windowsill. Revealing a small cavity she located the small velvet bag she had hidden there two years earlier. She replaced the wood and removed a small silver key from the black pouch. Slowly putting the key in the door she pushed her shoulder against the heavy oak helping the lock click open before steadily turning the door handle. The warmth of the room was overwhelming. Quietly closing the door behind her she crept up to the small bed in the corner of the room and knelt before it. As slowly as she could she lifted her hand and placed her open palm firmly but gently over the sleeping girl's mouth. With panic in her eyes the startled girl pulled herself up the bed to a sitting position.
"Annabelle", the soft voice said moving from her kneeling position on the floor to sit on the side of the bed facing the newly woken head girl "it's me – please don't scream... no one must know I'm here".