I got off the subway, not wanting to return home. The school day had sucked and I thanked God that I was a senior. People rushed by me in their hurry to get home. I sat on one of the little benches in the middle of the hall for awaiting passengers. I watched them in their hurries. A tall business man was arguing over the phone with what appeared to be his mistress as he yelled at her to never call him on this number while twisting his wedding band. A young woman with a college bag stuffed to the bursting point bumped into a passing man in waiter's dress. He kept on going, worrying he would be late for work. Her bag spilled all over the place and she groaned as people walked by her. I got off my bench and walked to help her. I could tell she was having a bad day from the pathetic 'thank you' her eyes gave me. I nodded my welcome and returned to the bench. Soon, the station emptied out and I was left lone as people lived their lives while I was stuck in the hell mine had become.

I got up and wandered along the concrete strip for passenger loading further along the way and just kept going. After about an hour, I couldn't see the station from all the twisting and turning in between it all. I walked a little further when to my extreme delight, I found a niche. It was quite big so I don't know if you could exactly call it a niche, but it was great. It had a 10- or 12- foot ceiling and was about 75 feet wide all around. There was an abandoned man-hole cover in the center that let in light and wind. It looked like someone had lived there. A fireplace of sorts divided the room into a warm living section in the back and a darker forefront area. There were intricate,but simple carvings all over the walls giving it an elegance that was unsurpassed. If someone had lived there, it had been a long time ago. Dust covered everything in sight and the ashes in the fireplace had long since washed away. Cars passed along every now and then. It was perfect. For what, I didn't know, but it was perfect.

I checked my cell phone and saw the time. I shrieked and cursed as I realized how much trouble I was going to get in. I was supposed to be home an hour ago and I'm sure as soon as I got into service, I would have plenty of missed calls and texts. Oh, I was going to be in so much trouble!

When I walked into the house, it came upon me like the wrath of a goddess. She was horrible and ugly and old. It (a.k.a Mary)stood at an amazing 5'1'' shrieking and her face twisted in disgust and hate.

"Where have you been? Do you realize what time it is? Honestly, if you had any sense at all, you would realize how irresponsible it was to do whatever the hell it was you were doing! I can't believe I was convinced to take in juveniles like you." Here, she pointed her wooden cooking spoon at me in emphasis. "I must have been high or drunk or something for Steve to talk me into something like this. God, it's not worth the money to take in things like you. Go up to your room and stay there. I'm debating on whether or not you get supper and it's leaning towards the latter. Now go!" She pointed hat horrible spoon up the stairs in the direction of my room( if yo could call it that).

"First of all, I'm not a thing. I'm a human being who mad a mistake. The first in a year, if I'm not mistaken. Second, the only reason you did take me in is for the fat paycheck the government gives for taking care of kids like me. If it wasn't for your lack of motherly and social skills, you would have more kids here, but I think the system decided to spare them the pain and agony that this house brings on all who visit it. Third, I lost my parents. Not even two years ago and it takes a while to heal from that, but seeing as you've had a silver spoon in your mouth that Daddy lost in his gambling debts a few years ago which made you agree to this shamble of a marriage, you wouldn't understand that. And fourth, I am not a juvenile. I have never been to a correctional facility in my life and so help me if you say I should be there, I will poison you in your sleep and you won't even know it." I finished my tirade with a flushed face. My heart was racing in anger and I was breathing deeply in order to stop my self from pummeling this so called human. She had the nerve to call me that! And to think she was actually a mother.

" You will not talk to me that way. I am an elder and you will treat me with the respect I deserve. Now go upstairs and I hope you are not especially hungry because you are not getting any food in this house tonight, little missy." It huffed and puffed in rage at the burn she had just gotten. She knew I was right and that was what pissed her off the most.

I walked into the hall and saw her son( who was from her first marriage. See? She can't even keep a man happy), smirk in delight at my misfortune. He was only 16 and thought the world was his for the taking, he knew everything, and that he was God's gift to women. I smiled back like nothing was wrong. As I walked up the stairs, it changed in to a plotting, sickly sweet smile, like I was going to do something worse. He cringed at it the last I saw of him before I finished my ascent. Her husband walked down the stairs to see what all the commotion had been about. He took one look at me and understood what had happened. He gave me a disgusted look and continued down the stairs.

" The same to you, jerk." I told myself on the way up.

When I arrived in my room, I threw my bag onto the little chair in the corner. I plopped on my bed and screamed silently into my pillow. Th muffled sounds echoed through my room to remind me how lonely I was, how much of a hell my life had become. I began comparing lives, seeing how much things really had changed in only two years.

I had had friends. Lots of them. I was loved and liked and even had a boyfriend. My first. I was living the good life with a family that loved me. Unfortunately, I was an only child, but my family loved me nonetheless. I went to sleepovers and parties. Now, I did nothing. I had no one. I kept to myself at school, I didn't talk to anyone, did my homework quickly, then read. That was the one thing that hadn't changed over the last two years. My love of reading got me through the whole ordeal of my parents death. The fact that there was some sort of escape, even if it was for a moment helped get me through.

I went over, opened my bag, and pulled out my homework. I started to do Calculus, getting the second derivative of an especially tricky problem when my door opened. I looked, not surprised at who I saw. It was Randy, It's son, staring at me with a peculiar look in his eyes. He was gloating, but there was something else in those muddy brown depths.

"Mom made me come up here to see if you'd snuck out. I guess you are an honorable girl. In more ways than one, I presume?" His eyebrow rose in morbid curiosity.

" I was raised to have morals and values, unlike some." At this I looked up from my work to accuse him with my eyes.

" Humph. Whatever. You know, everyone hates you, right?"

"I figure what with all the love in this family." I replied, sarcasm dripping thickly in my voice.

"My mom will believe me when I tell her you're not here."

"Now, why would you do a stupid thing like that?"

"Because...she'll actually believe me and I'll actually do it if you don't..."
"Don't what?"

"If you don't sleep with me." The statement was so blunt, I didn't expect it. My mind quickly rebounded.

"When pigs fly and Hell freezes over."

"Considering the swine flu and there is a Hell, Michigan, then I'd say I'm getting lucky." H said with a smile. He had moved closer to me as the conversation progressed. He was now up against my bed, looking over my shoulder at my homework,

"Hahaha, no." I laughed sarcastically. "I'd rather you told your mother I wasn't here."

" I'd really rather" he picked up a strand of my hair and sniffed "do something a little more enjoyable. Why don't you put that nasty complicated homework away and join me in a bit of fun?" He still had my hair in his hand.

I felt violated and sick. I couldn't take this. I elbowed him in the gut. He pulled away, yanking my hair with it. I screamed in pain, as he staggered back. I kneed him after regaining my hair and balance. He hunched over from the hit. I elbowed him I the back to drive my point home. He stood there in pain.

"If you EVER do anything like that again, I will kill you painfully and unmercifully. I can grind up a plant that will paralyze you as another ravishes your body with a toxin band even in the Taliban and you won't be able to do anything about it. This will be all without you even realizing it. Is that understood, you cretin?!" I had whispered the threat, but was screaming this last part. I looked up through the curtain of my hair to see his parents glaring at me. I didn't know how much they had heard, but I wasn't about to tell them. I grabbed my school things, a thick jacket,my purse, and my new book and stormed past them. I would not, could not stay in that house for one more minute.

"Where in the hell do you think your going?" It screamed at m as I brushed past.

"Out of here."

"Oh, no you're not. Not after that little display." She tried to grab my arm, but I was too quick.

"If you knew what he just did, you would be lucky to get out of this with a penny!" I stormed down stairs.

They were all following me. Randy was still clutching his stomach from my hits. Steve was looking at me with the same glint in his eye his son had, only there was the hint of something more, something sinister. The presentation of a challenge. A chill ran up my spine as I saw this. Mary's face was twisted in rage for the second time that day. It all became clear to me. Why Steve had convinced her, why she had agreed, why there son was one of the most vile creatures I had ever come into contact with. Steve wanted the fresh meat, Mary needed the money, and the fact that there had been nothing and no one who had said no to Randy.

I opened the door and saw them look at me in disbelief. No one had ever done this in their home. Well, I had a lot more things on my mind that would shock them. I kept walking, not looking back. I didn't hear the remark about never coming there again. I just kept walking, my mind racing. I hopped on the nearest bus and took to the subway, my feet taking me somewhere, anywhere away from there.

I settled down on the bench I had sat upon earlier that day. It had seemed like a lifetime ago. I pulled out my book and started to read. People passed me by, rushing home after a long, long day. Probably to a family that loved them and wanted them. A family that supported and encouraged. A family like mine had been. I couldn't help it. I started to cry. The entire day crashed down on me. The loneliness, the anger, the hate. I took my bags, started walking in the direction of the niche.

Because I was in a hurry, it only took me 30 minutes to get there. I walked in, admiring the beauty. I walked in a little further than before. When I had been there the first time, I had stayed in the front room, reading my new book.

The twilight entered into the man-hole above. I found ancient wood stacked by one of the walls. I piled them up into the fireplace and lit them. They were so old and dry they lit almost instantly. I drew closer to the warmth of the fireplace that no one had been able to give me lately. I went into the back room and saw an ancient king sized bed. Hmm, it's old, but stable. I liked the old bed. This place was warm, especially in the chilly October night. It had a bed, a fireplace, shelves for all my books.

The thought struck me with sudden clarity. I could live here! I relished the idea. The place was old and beautiful, secluded, unknown. It was a little dusty, but that could easily be fixed. My happiness enveloped me. I saw myself making food, reading on the bed, cleaning it on a weekly basis, bustling about. It would be the perfect place. It even had a tub! I could buy sweet curtains, red and gold floral, to put around it. I sighed in delight and fell back on my bed, only to be greeted by a large cloud of dust. I didn't notice it much. My thought were focused on the "my" part.

I pulled out my little notebook and started writing in it. I made a "To Do List", a shopping list, and a day-by-day plan on when to move in. I would have to get sheets for tonight. My stomach rumbled loudly.

"And food." I said aloud to my home. It echoed warmly back. I loved it and was falling more in love by the minute.

I banked the fire, then grabbed my purse to buy what I needed. My parents had left me plenty of money for college. I was bright enough to get a few scholarships, so I wasn't overly worried about spending the money on my new home.

After returning to the insane world above, I headed towards a little café on the corner of the street from the subway station. I had stopped there numerous times on my way home to get something to eat in order to avoid It's cooking. I ordered a coke and a Ceaser salad. I ate, relishing the crunchy veggies and the sweet, bubbly goodness of the coke. I ordered a slice of the apple pie for dessert and an extra sandwich for later. I knew I was going to need more strength in order to clean my home enough to at least sleep tonight. I looked at my watch. It was now 8:15. The October sky outside was finally starting to bank its own fires as the sun lay itself to sleep. The waiter came over to give me my check.

"How was it, Miss?" he asked.

"Oh, it was wonderful. I haven't had anything since breakfast. That might be the reason why, but all the same..."

"Well, I'll tell the chef."

"Oh, thank you. Um, this might sound strange, but do you know any good home furnishing stores?"

"Not at all. What do you need?"

"Sheets, pillows, things like that."

"Ok. There's this nice little hop off the corner of Barker and Eloise. It's called She's on Top." he saw my the strange look on my face. "It's a lot nicer than it sounds. My mom bought me sheets from there once. Best ones I have ever had, and they're not that expensive."

"Thank you." I told him as I handed him my debit card.

"No problem. I'll be back in a moment with your recite."

I sat back and finished my coke. My thoughts wandered to what kind of color scheme I wanted. I think I was going to go with the red/gold theme. Or maybe white/gold. No, not in that place. It would be ruined in days! I kept wandering down different color paths when the waiter returned.

"Here you go. Thank you and I hope you find what you're looking for." he said as he placed the small black tray with my recite and card on the table.

I signed it and handed it back to him. I smiled as I left, my sandwich in a small, white plastic container. I headed in the direction the waiter had pointed me, walking only for about 10 minutes before noticing the cheery sign on top of the store. I walked in to a tinkling bell attached to the door.

It wasn't a very big store. It had shelves extending about 30 feet inwards, all stock full of the sweetest sheets and home furnishing items. The girl at the counter smiled when she heard the bell and let me browse in peace.

I wandered into the back. On the back shelf, at the very bottom was a king size bed package. Two sets of sheets, a comforter, 2 pillow cases, a bed skirt, and was in a beautiful red/gold brocade fabric in a floral( mainly rose) pattern. I fell in love with it the moment I saw it. The best part was that it was o sale! Only $50! I grabbed it up quickly and continued to browse. I found matching curtains for the bathroom area and two more pillow cases. I picked up two pillows( I already had two for my twin bed back at my foster home) and headed for the checkout. I was the only one in the store so late so it didn't take long.

I left the store, my hands full, but I still had more to get before I could go home. I went to a discount store and picked up some cleaning supplies, a small battery powered radio,a box of starter logs, a few bottles of water, a pack of the instant tea for "on-the-go",non-perishable food, some curtain rods(that matched the décor of course), a skateboard(for faster travel between home and the real world)and some cleaning tools( i.e. a broom, a duster, etc.). I left the store with most of the things in my bedding bag, making it less cumbersome to carry. I decided to stop by my favorite little second-hand bookstore before returning home. At this point it was around 9:30 and I could spare a few hours to browse. It was the weekend, after all.

I decided I'd need more clothes since I wouldn't be going back to that hell for a while so I stopped at a little antique boutique. It sold old and new things, so I bought a few jeans, some cute little shirts, and a set of pj's. I looked around a bit more when I noticed a bright, sunny yellow sundress with a white/silver embroidery of trees and birds all around the skirt. I couldn't wear it for a while, but bought it anyway.

I wandered around( I seemed to be doing a lot of that today) until I found a section of books I liked. I picked up a few romances, a classic or two, then stopped. Someone had whispered as I passed a shelf on my way to the checkout. I turned to see who it was, but there was no one there. While I looked around, a certain book caught my eye. It was bound in a beautiful sapphire leather with a gold tree branching all over in a circle stamped on it. I opened it to see it was a collection of old Irish faery tales. Some dating back to the Gaelic days. It was the most beautiful thing I had seen, and with my heritage(I'm Irish on both sides), added the book to my stack. Why anyone would have given that book away was a total mystery.

I checked out and asked for $20 in cash so I could grab a cab home. I piled all my stuff into a particularly rude cab and asked to be dropped off at the café right in front of the subway station. When I got there, it was 10:30. I lugged my things down to an almost empty station. I opened the skateboard up and headed for home.

I had learned to skateboard when I was 12 because the boy down the street said girl couldn't learn to skate. I proved him wrong and broke a wrist in the process. Since I had been a little more careful. The weight of all my things was keeping me out of balance, but I was till able to make it there in 30 minutes, with frequent stops to adjust.

I entered my home and deposited my things in the living area. I stoked the fire and put a starter log to help it burn a little more. The box said they would last about 2 hours and it would take at least that to get the place clean enough for me to sleep in it.

I pulled out the sandwich I had bought earlier to replenish my strength before the big task ahead. I sat on the floor, sipping water and eating my sandwich as I looked at a few of the things I had bought. I realized I had made a pretty good trip, spending only $1500 on a ton of things I would need. I finished eating, then put all my things away so as not to get them dirty. I decided to braid my hair in a French braid to keep it out of the way when I was cleaning.

Afterward, I pulled out the radio, putting batteries in and tuning it to my favorite station. I took off the filthy sheets on the bed and placed them in the tub. A downward bent pipe I had thought was just there ran water as my hand passed by it. It washed over the sheets making a nasty, dirty water. It stopped as my hand got further away.

"That is very interesting. It must just be a coincidence." I wondered to myself.

Only, I did it again, and it repeated. This was great. I could take baths, wash dishes, do a ton of things I was worried about before. Not tonight, but in the future. I would be exhausted enough after I finished.

I went back to the bed. My goal was to take off the mattress from the frame and beat the crap out of it to get as much dust off as possible. I heaved at the weight of it. I didn't expect it to weigh so much, but I carried on. I somehow got the mattress into the front room, bracing it against one of the walls. At that moment a subway train came racing by. I jumped at it, but strangely it wasn't that loud. It was moving too fast for me to see details or anyone on it to see me. I continued with my job. I got the broom I had just bought and started whacking the mattress with all my might. The thick cloud of dust made me glad I had tied a kerchief I had with me around my face.

Two hours later, I had the mattress back on a scrubbed frame. I had whacked both sides of it pretty hard. My arms were paying for it when I finished. I put a few more logs on the fire to get a little more light for a while more. I had found a really cool collapsible, industrial sized broom to sweep the floor.,so I started at the back, working to the front area. Sweat had broken out along my face and arms. I looked outside to see if any trains were coming soon, then swept it off the platform. I went back, sweeping again to make sure I got most of it. The front area as a whole lot worse from all the dust from the mattress.

I finished with the sweeping, then pulled out the bed set. I shook the sheets and made the bed, dancing to a new song on the radio. I glanced at my phone and saw it was 1:15. I was making good time. When I was done with the sheets, I pulled out the new lingerie and pajamas I had bought. I changed quickly, afraid a train would come by and see me in the buff even though I knew it would be going too fast for anyone to see. I took a new washcloth out and ran it under the strange faucet. I wiped off my face, arms, and neck. It came back covered in a thick layer of dust. I felt much better, but would feel even better after I had had a bath in the strange stone tub. I banked the fire a little to prevent anything from catching fire as I slept. I set my alarm for no later than noon, placing my phone on the little table next to the bed. I undid my hair, letting the long golden brown locks to fall against my back and waist. I pulled the covers back, slid into the cool, rose red cotton sheets, and fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow with a smile on my face.

I woke to a strange feeling of complacence and happiness. The early October sun filtered into the room as I stretched my arms out, arching my back up. It felt good to wake up like this. I looked around to the glowing atmosphere of the place then at my phone. It was only 10:00 a.m. I pushed the covers back and at up. The cool air hit my skin, making a wave of goosebumps appear. I looked around at the rooms. It looked a lot worse in the daylight. I could do it. I would get this place cleaned and ready to go.

I walked over to the food I had bought and puled out a pop-tart. I grabbed a bottle of water, turned on the radio, and sat back on my bed, munching, making a mental list. I would go to a washeteria and wash the sheets that had been on the bed before along with the ones I had cleaned with last night.

"I should probably wait to wash them until after I finish cleaning today." I mused aloud. The words echoed softly in the room amidst the morning light.

I put the pop-tart wrapper in the water bottle, then in one of the bags I had gotten the day before. I went to get some of the clothes from yesterday when a train whizzed past. I looked at it wandering if anyone had every seen this place. I changed quickly into the pair of army green capris and band tee I had been holding.

I placed a washcloth under the strange faucet again to clean my face. I wondered how I was going to brush my teeth. They felt disgusting after a day, but I would get some stuff to take a bath when I went to the washeteria. I brushed my hair back, frustrated with it getting in the way. I braided it again, then got to work.

I grabbed the little broom I had and started beating the cushions of the other furniture in the room. I picked up the duster and got to work on busting the dust. I rocked out to the new Nickelback song on the radio, twirling around in time with the music making broad sweeps with the lavender/vanilla scented duster( it was one of those Swiffer dusters with the scent-infused duster heads). The scent filled the room with making it even more cozy.

I finished dusting then went to the tub. I found a stopper for it on a shelf I guess I didn't see last night. I plugged the drain hole and let the water fill it in order to mop. I took the industrial sized broom to do a once over to get all the dust from today and last night I hadn't gotten. The tub was half full when the water stopped. It was like the tub knew. I poured the mopping cleaner into the tub and got to work. I started in the back, heading towards the front room. The mop swayed with Micheal Buble's new hit. I pretended it was my dance partner while I worked my way through the house.

The back half had dried by the time I began polishing the wood furniture. There was a titanic bookcase in one corner that all ready held some my new books. I cleaned it with care and vigor to get it really shining. Subsequent to that, I folded my clothes and put them on one shelf. Food and water went on another, my purse on the one below that. My books were stacked with their spines facing out. I stepped back to admire my handiwork.

"Pretty good, if do say so myself." I spun around the room slowly. It was clean, fresh...homey.

My phone told the time of 2:00. I was on a role. I decided to go ahead and wash the clothes. I quickly changed into another set of clothes, putting the dirty ones in a cloth shopping bag( I was very eco-friendly; all the cleaning products I used were natural, but they worked). Grabbing my purse and skateboard, I headed out.

The washeteria was 3 blocks from the subway station. I walked in, a little bell tinkled. I looked around at the busy place. I soon remembered I didn't have any soap or dryer sheets. Luckily, the washeteria had a machine on the wall to dispense them in a small variety of name brands. I put a $5 in the change machine, getting quarters in return. I bought a package of each, soap and dryer sheets, deciding to wash the sheets in a separate, delicate cycle. I put each load in two washers right next to each other. It took about 30 minutes for them to wash. I decided to charge my phone while I was somewhere with an outlet, checking every so often to see if it was working. I read my romance novel while tuning out the sappy soap operas on the beat-up TV high in the corner. I put the wash, again, in dryers right next to each other. This one only took 20 minutes to finish. I got them out with one of the rolling carts with a bar across the top, pushing them to the folding tables. I got one of the women next to me to help with the giant sheets. My clothes were folded, put away in the bag( which had been emptied and shaken quite well) , then the sheets.

There was a supermarket on the corner nearby. I stopped in there and bought things to bathe with. I got a delicious smelling bath set that contained bath slats, bubble bath, bath gel, and lotion. It was a gardenia/rose mix that smelled heavenly. A small razor, travel sized shaving cream, and a few packages of the Crest Wisps went into the basket. I checked out and headed home.

As I entered the subway station, I began to wonder why no one had stopped me from going down the concrete walk. I just walked by and no one said a thing. I brushed the thought to the back of my mind as I neared the entrance.

I started a fire to get a jump start on the cold. My dinner was an acceptable meal of a plate of spaghetti I had ordered while waiting for my clothes to finish. I drew a bath, taking my time. The tired muscles in my body relaxed at the exactly right temperature from the strange faucet. I added my bubble bath, delighting in the scent. After an hour, my hands had pruned, and I was falling asleep in the water which had stayed quite warm. I dried off, hopping into the pajamas. I noticed the cold had snuck in when I added another log to the fire. I happened to notice the size of the log pile. It hadn't changed. I had used at least 5 logs in the 2 days, but it hadn't changed. I brushed it off as a trick of the mind.

I pulled back the covers of the rosy sheets. The ones I had washed were a beautiful deep hunter green with a lighter green pattern of trees. They had been faded through time and misuse, but one could still see the elegance of them. I slid into the comfort of soft cotton. My eyelids dropped dangerously fast. I still had to wright in my little notebook. My body screamed in protest, but I had put this off long enough. It took a total of 10 minutes to get it out. I sleepily put the notebook back in my purse, quickly climbing back into bed. I looked around one last time at all I had done. The fire created warm shadows that danced around the room. I was happy here,content. I drifted off to sleep with the silent music that the shadows were dancing to.

I slept hard. When I woke up, my muscles screeched in protest to not move. The hot bath had helped tremendously, but they were still pretty sore. I went to get a pop-tart and bottle of water. I sat back down on the bed to eat. I decided to stay in my pajamas all day and relax. I threw away my trash, picked up some school work due that week, and started on it. I only got up to mix a bottle of water with the instant tea, or turn up the radio. After the homework, I read. When I saw that it was 8:00 PM, I packed some of my things. I headed regretfully to the foster home I hated so much. I figured I would sneak out a duffel bag of things everyday on the way to school, stay at home until around 7, the return to the foster home. If things went as well as I planned, I would be out of there in, at most, a month.

There were no lights on in the house. They must be out to dinner or something. Lord knows how bad that cooking is. I unlocked the door with the spare key hidden under a pot with a hidden chamber in the bottom. I went into Steve's work room, grabbed his electrical drill ,heading straight to my room after that. I opened the door. I don't know what I expected to see, but my room was just as I had left it. A few of the books were out of place, but other than that, it was fine. I'm pretty sure they were looking for my diary to describe where I went. Too bad I kept it with me at all times. Well, now it was at home with the rest of my books. Good luck finding it there. I laughed out loud at the thought.

I pulled the new locks I had bought out of my bag. I began installing them immediately. I didn't want them to see me. Better ask forgiveness than permission. They installed fairly quickly. I had a chain lock, a dead bolt and a new knob that required a key. I would not have a repeat of Friday night. When I finished, I grabbed all my things from the bathroom. I wanted as little contact with these people as possible.

I heard the front door open. Steve called cautiously into the house. "Aednat? Is that you, hun?"

"Who else would it be?" I returned sardonically down the stairs.

"Just checking. So, uhm,where have you been all weekend?"

"None of your business." I thought a bit, pausing for dramatic effect. " Say, I have something I need to tell you."

"Oh God. She's pregnant. I will not have a baby in this house." It exclaimed in horror.

"Shut-the-hell-up! I'm not pregnant. I will not be returning home by 5:00. I will return whenever I want to and you will not say a word about it."

"Who are you to tell us that?" It demanded.

"I am the person that can put your family in jail. What happened with Randy was not the first time something like that has happened. I installed several new locks on my door. You will see me come in, hear me lock my door, then leave me alone. This will happen from now on. If I hear so much of a creak outside of my door, I will call CPS and tell them what is happening in this house. Is this understood?"

They nodded in unison. They looked outraged, beaten, and afraid. I think the threat, the fear of losing everything they had finally put them in their places. I went back in to my room, locking the door behind me.

I pulled out an old duffel bag. I placed it on my bed, unzipping it at the same time. I had decided that I would take all my school things first. I put away the textbooks, notebooks, and folders. I packed my parents things I had with me next. I finished with all the things I wanted to take. I changed into my pajamas, crossed the items in my duffel bag off the list, and went to sleep, after I double checked the new locks on my door.

The next three weeks went by slowly, yet quickly. I gave the excuse for the duffel bag as my gym clothes( and if the morons in that house paid any attention, they would know I don't have P.E.). I would get up, get dressed, grab my school things, purse, and duffel bag, head out the door, go to school, get out of school.,go to my new home, unpack, homework, bath, foster home, repeat. The most trouble I had was with my books. They became quite heavy on the way home, forcing me to stop frequently.

I figured I could move in completely in the next few days. No one entered my room(I locked it before I left), so no one noticed how empty my room became. On the second to last day, I decided to celebrate a little early. I went to the charming little bookshop I had stopped by when I went on my shopping spree to buy a few new books. There was an application on the counter. I started work the following Monday.

In those three weeks, I noticed something strange about home. I was cleaning the fireplace one day when I brushed against a carving on the wall. It revealed a hidden cupboard with old, dusty, iron cooking utensils and an iron plate to put above the fire to cook on. Good-bye store bought food, hello home cooking. In the back of the front room, a little away from the fireplace, again, I brushed against a carving. This time, it revealed a dark, cool stone cupboard. I realized it was like a refrigerator, able to keep meat, greens, and such cool for a few days. By brushing past more carvings, I found a closet of sorts, a dresser, and a bathroom cabinet for towels and washcloths. There was only one explanation of all this: it was magical. It seemed like I had it made.

Prince Nuada glanced back at the one-eyed troll following closely behind him. Mr. Wink was his closest friend, his only friend, in his self-exile .He shared a special, strong connection to his siter, but she was so far away. Nuada waited for the troll to catch up to him before they started again.

"It seems, my friend, that we should return home. It has been a long time since we saw it, no?" The troll nodded his agreement.

"Would you be so kind as to go get it ready for my return? I still have one bit of business I need to attend, but there is no reason for you to stay away any longer than necessary."

The answering grunts were the troll's language signifying his answer. He walked away from his friend, wondering what was on his mind. A far as Mr. Wink was concerned, they had completed the 10 year trek across Europe and the Mediterranean. Oh, well. Nuada has an agenda of his own. He may do as he likes. I would like to see New York after so long. With that, Mr. Wink headed home.

When Mr. Wink returned to the subway station that lead to the cave, he sensed something amiss. Cloaked in glamour, no on noticed him. He swiftly( for such a big thing) got to the cave. It was warm, welcoming. It seemed the magic of it had already been activated. Nuada's powers are growing stronger. The place was never this welcoming though. I wonder how he did that. Mr. Wink decided to go to the Troll Market to see what was new here. He didn't think anymore of it.

Nuada arrived a few days later. Mr. Wink was still at the Troll market, but had informed him that the cave had been activated. When Nuada arrived, he noticed the change since he had been there last. It was nice, warm. It seemed Mr. Wink had made the place different, but better. He decided to practice his skills a little more before he went to meet up with Mr. Wink at the Troll market to get some much needed supplies. He took off his shirt, revealing pale alabaster skin. Years of training had given his body a toned muscular appearance. He unsheathed the small spear that he had used so many times over the last few centuries. His body knew the movements well.

I skateboarded through the tunnel to get home. My thoughts zooming from one place to the next. Tomorrow I would move out and officially live there. I had rented a P.O. Box at the post office, set up a savings account, and everything I could. As I neared the entrance, I heard something strange. I slowed down, picked up the 'board, and cautiously approached the entry. What I saw took my breath away.

It was a man unlike any I had ever seen before. He had pale white skin with scars covering I body. His bleach white hair spun around him, the tips a rich gold. His lips were dark ,as was the area around his eyes. His torso was naked, but he had on dark,silk pants. His body moved with a speed and accuracy I had never known existed. With each thrust of his spear, it would easily kill any opponent. He had broad , muscular shoulders, the muscles rippling with every move. His arms exuded a strength I didn't want to be on the receiving end of. His stomach was etched into six muscles that looked like a washboard. He was easily the most handsome thing I had ever seen. He flipped off of the walls with the utmost skill and confidence, killing imaginary foes. I would ave gone on watching him, unnoticed, if it hadn't of been for my duffel bag. It fell with a loud thump to the ground. I grimaced at the sound, my heart hammering in terror. I saw him look up towards the noise. He slowly got up, walking in my direction.

He heard the noise right as his spear retracted into itself. It was a loud thump by the entrance. He slowly got up, walking over towards the noise. What he saw surprised him. Something that had not been done in a long time. It was a small human girl(compared to him, she was small). She had long golden brown hair down to her lower back. Her bright green eyes were wide in terror in her oval face. She had a duffel bag, as the humans called it, another bag full of books, and what looked to be a beat up old purse. Her clothes consisted of a long, flowing green skirt that stopped at her knees, a dark red peasant top, and dark brown boots. She looked like a rose. He sneered at her, his spear already in his hand.

"Please, I'm sorry. I-I just, uhm..." Her face contorted in confusion, terror.

"What are you doing here?" he roared at her.

"I was just going home. I didn't mean any harm. I-"

"Home? Where is your home? Why is it so close to here?" Had the human seen through the glamour placed upon the cave?

"It's here. I've been here a while and I cleaned it and took care of it and it looked like it was abandoned, so I just-"

"Took it? Typical human. Taking as you please." At this, he placed the spear on her throat. Her eyes widened even more, but a glint came into her eyes.

"And who are you, might I ask?" Defiance. That was what was beside the terror. He thought before he answered.

"Nuada."

"Well, Nuada, I'm not going anywhere. You can do whatever you wish, this is my home." her voice was even, but passionate.

"And if I kill you?" He pressed the spear harder against her throat.

"I don't care. I have no one. I have no where to go. I have nothing! So go ahead and kill me. You would be doing me a huge favor."

What she was saying was the truth. Her eyes looked steadily into his pleading him to do this. She really wanted to die. This cave was all she had left, just like him. Once again, she surprised him.

"Go ahead. Kill me. Kill me!" She put her hand on the spear, pushing it harder against her own throat. "Do it! KILL ME!!"

He didn't know why he did what he did next. She was human, the hated, the enemy. He was plotting a grand scheme to bring humanity down. Yet, there was a kindred soul. She was like him in the fact that the cave, her home, was all either had to live for. If she lost it, she might as well be dead.

"I wouldn't give you the satisfaction." He returned, lowering the spear. "Make no mistake. I will kill you one day. Just not today."

The small girl hugged him. He was thrown off by this. He placed the spear at his side, allowing it for a moment. Sensing his discomfort, she let go. Tears were streaking down rosy cheeks.

"Thank you." It was a whisper, short words that held all she was trying to say.

"Don't thank me just yet. I will kill you at a moment's notice."