It was late evening, and the frosty air bit at Kayleigh's lips and cheeks, as she swung slowly in the local park. It was cold and the breeze reached it's long fingers through her thin hooded jacket; but she wasn't ready to go back in just yet.

She watched her breath pool and disperse in clouds as she thought of returning to the house. She would NOT call it a home. She lived there with her foster parents and foster brother. He was ten and a brat. But he wasn't the problem. Her "mum" was almost constantly on her case, and tonight, Kayleigh, normally a quiet girl, had finally spoken back. The result had been catastrophic. It had ended in her "mum" ordering Kayleigh out of her sight, and Kayleigh more than willing to oblige. She had realised her mistake as soon as she turned for the door. Where would she go? Where could she go? She swore she had heard her "mum" say "And good riddance," under her breath when she left. And that was why she wasn't ready to go back yet.

As usual her "dad" had just sat in his chair half asleep, insisting they all quiet down so he could watch telly. Her foster brother had just walked to his bedroom. She didn't blame him. Fighting was never nice, and even if he was a brat, he was only ten.

She flicked her phone on and noticed she had been out for two and half hours. She still didn't feel ready to go back. She had to though, didn't she? It was already so cold and late. And all her stuff was in that house. She'd already had her phone in her pocket, but apart from that she had only had time to roughly put her worn boots ( her favourite footwear) on, grab this useless jacket by the hood, before she was already half-way down the street with no idea where she was going.

She checked her phone again. Putting it back in her pocket she thought about what she would say to her "mum" once she got back in. If she got back in. That was a scary thought. What if they didn't let her back in. Well, they had to, didn't they? Her "dad" wouldn't bother, her brother would probably just pull faces at her through the window, and her "mum" … ? What would she do?

Kayleigh looked up at the overcast sky through thick lashes.

"One way to find out…" She said to herself, and started meandering down the street lamp lit world that was her town at night.