Prologue
It was foggy outside due to the countless hours of rain. Safely tucked inside a house were four teenage girls, dressed in their nighties, ready for bed. I was one of those girls. Gabe they call me, short for Gabriel. It is sort of a strange name for someone in the 1940's. huh? But none-the-less, it is my name, and this is my story.
Sarah finished reading her excerpt from "Romeo and Juliet" aloud to the rest of us. She was a hopeless romantic. Katie sighed and rolled over onto her stomach, facing me.
"Do you think that there could possibly be a story more wonderful than that?" She asked, setting about tying her blond hair up in a red ribbon. Sasha, the girl next to me shook her head.
"I don't think so. I think that tops them all." She said. I remained silent for a few moments. I had heard of one. Memories began to flood back to me like the steady flowing of a stream... a kiss here, a fight there... I hadn't seen him in almost a year.
Not one person sitting in the room with me had heard the story. They wouldn't believe it if they did. In fact, they didn't know many things about me. I had many secrets. You see, the life that I was leading at the present was sort of a new life for me. Let me explain...
My mother died when I was four. I was left alone in London with an alcoholic step-father. My mother married him only for the money that he could provide for us. He had never loved me. The beatings began when I was six.
I endured many years in that house, and I always remained with at least two or three cuts or bruises. I grew so tired of the pain. Not knowing where I was headed, I ran one night, leaving my old life behind.
I lived on the streets for nearly two weeks, stealing when I needed to eat, and sleeping where I could find shelter. One night, with rain pouring profusely from the heavens, I stumbled across a wood. I don't know why... but I was drawn to it.
I stumbled along no distinct path for what seemed like hours. I finally found myself, dirty, scratched, and exhausted, in front of a rather large house. A rather large empty house. Without hesitation, I raced forward, and was not surprised to find the door open...
"What do you think, Gabe?" asked Sarah, "Is there a story as wonderful as that?" Could I tell them? Did I have the strength?
"Yes, I have." I replied softly. The three girls whipped around to face me.
"Which story?" Sasha asked, her eyes shining eagerly.
"Yes, please tell us!" Sarah exclaimed. I took a deep breath.
"Alright."