Chapter One: A Cry for Help
A girl tried to run down the halls of the school, her efforts hindered by her pretty burgundy heels. Her lightly curled brown hair flew out behind her as she flung open a door, escaping into the windy autumn world outside. She screamed for help when she felt a hand grab the back of her flannel shirt. The girl tried to escape, feeling the buttons start to come off as she struggled. When they popped, she fell forward, barely able to catch herself before someone stepped on her knees. She tried to get away as the people gathering around her began to beat her, tearing her clothes, bruising her skin, and stealing the money she had worked so HARD to get from her wallet.
However it seemed that it would end there when an angry shout scared the attackers into fleeing, only to be stopped by uniformed RCMP officers. A blonde one wearing dark shades helped the girl to her feet, snatching the money back from her attackers.
"Are you alright miss?"
She teared up, shivering against the cold wind. "Y-yes…"
He picked up her shirt, draping it over her shoulders. "Why did they attack you?"
"I-I don't know." she shook her head. "It just happened… It always just happens…"
"Always? How long's this been going on?" she could tell he was getting angrier.
"Since… August…"
"That's over a month!" he snarled. "And they've been doing this to you?! Why didn't you tell someone?!"
"I DID!" she started to cry. "The staff doesn't care! The principal doesn't care! The orphanage doesn't care!"
"Orphanage…?" he sighed, watching his fellow officers take the girl's attackers away. "Which one?"
"Maple Leaf Orphanage…?"
"Ah… What's your name kid?"
"Shelbi… with an I."
"Last name?"
"Lee."
"Shelbi Lee… Alright, head home."
"But-"
"Don't worry, I'll handle it."