Prologue 04/08/2002

Cold air radiated from Bridget's skin and almost penetrated through the thick, hot muggy air. Amber held her Mother's hand she wondered where her and Bridget would go. Their Dad had left to case after the man. Amber didn't want to stay and wait for him even though that would be the right thing to do. Her Mother was gone now and Bridget needed to be protected. What would she do with the body? They needed to go now the man could be back any minute and Dad wouldn't help them. Amber gently put her Mother's hand down and kissed her temple.

Her Mother's eye's stared ahead, her body twisted but she didn't seem to feel any pain. She probably couldn't but Amber's Mother had always implied the dead had a way of Amber gently moved her. Bridget sat up and reached her hands out towards Amber as Amber walked passed her to pick up her phone something they were going to need for awhile. Amber sighed and picked her sister up. The walk home was a long one but Amber used the walk home to think of ways they were going to survive. They had walked up these steps so many but now there's a fear.

A fear of what specifically Amber wasn't sure but she knew they needed to leave. They could run she could get a job and save up to buy what they need. Realistically it would take a long time to save up that much, and Amber knew they needed these things now. She couldn't work and look after three year old nor could she afford to pay a babysitter without money. Besides it could take months maybe even years to get a job. That was common sense.

And there were even fewer jobs for a fifteen year old let alone an unclean fifteen year old. She was going to have to go inside and get what they needed but just make sure she kept Bridget close and in sight at all times.

Amber began to turn on every light in the house checking behind doors and under tables in case the man or someone who worked with him had gotten in and had been waiting for them. Constantly looking around herself Amber put Bridget down in front of the TV and grabbed an Aldi bag out of the pantry. She hoped nobody could hear them. She wondered how she'd be able to carry everything.

Amber shook her herself out of her worry and continued to pack she'd find a way. There was always a way. She grabbed the spare milk carton from the bottom of the cupboard her mom had always stayed prepared for when they ran out. She took all the bread and jams. Anything that didn't absolutely need to be in the fridge until the bag was too heavy and full to hold anymore.

Then she grabbed another one they were going to need a lot of food because she wasn't sure when they were going to have a reliable income again; mom and dad sorted that out. They had never needed to worry about money before. The biggest suitcase belonged to mom and dad she didn't feel right taking it but they needed something to carry their belongings and the less in her hands the further she'll be able to go on with Bridget. Amber took all of Bridget's favorite books, toys, belongings and some blankets and put them in her pram. Then Amber walked towards the linen cupboard keeping her eyes on Bridget.

Bridget had gotten a lot taller now she had begun to mimic words and sentences. She was almost four and didn't fit any of the baby clothes at the bottom of the linen cupboard. Amber took out five warm blankets and placed them neatly into her parents suitcase she needed to pack clothes and hygiene products. As well as the camping gear they were going on a long trip.

Amber begun to take everything she'd packed outside the back keeping her ears peeled listening for any signs of distress from her sister. When she came back in she grabbed her map from her room and searched around the house taking three hundred dollars from her parents wallets and sixty dollars from her piggy bank. She put the money in her sisters nappy bag. And the map in the front pocket of her jeans.

Bridget was fast asleep by the time Amber had turned everything off. As Amber struggled to push she remembered the extra key dad kept for the car by the lamp in the shed. Forming an idea Amber bolted into the shed and then to the car unlocking it. Amber put Bridget in her baby seat. Grateful her parents are mechanics. Had been mechanics Amber corrected herself sadly. She went back into the shed and took out everything she needed to make the car as unrecognizable as possible and packed it into the boot with the rest of their belongings.

01/04/2005

"I'm sorry Mr Conan but that's just the way it is" Amber said sternly she wanted to leave so she could pick her sister up and see Dr. Saber before they leave "If you want me to make an appointment I'm going to need a form of identification"

"You know with the economy going up so many people are finding it hard to survive without jobs, I have a friend who has a son that works for immigration services his son can find dirt on anyone, I've gotten seven people fired in the last three months, I love it" Mr Conan eye's glinted and his lips twisted and twitched in a way that gave Amber the impression he was trying to grin, he looked behind her towards the grandfather clock "Oh I'm sorry I realize this shop closes three minutes ago. I'm free wednesday at 3:00 PM you have my number why don't you give me a call?"

"I'll try but as you know coming here as often as you do Mr Conan, I have to follow a policy and so do you. So here is the form you need to fill out and just bring it back with a form of Identification before Saturday and I'll try and sort it out for you" Said Amber stapling the three pieces together and handing it to Mr Conan.

Mr Conan scowled and took the form. He walked out slamming the door as he left. Amber sighed and begun packing up, ignoring the throbbing pain in her left shoulder.

"Amber what are you doing here, I thought you went to the doctors? Where's Kaitlyn?" Said Maya coming out of her office, her client turned around and thanked her before briefly smiling at Amber. Amber waved gently goodbye to him and then turned to Maya feeling her smile drop as Maya watched her very seriously.

"Kaitlyn had to rush home her daughter went into labor, she asked me to cover the rest of her shift" Said Amber picking up her work bag"I Put my name on the registry and-"

"I don't want to know anymore. I'm tired, I want to go home. I'll email you if I need more information" Said Maya walking towards the front door "Lock up and if you see Kaitlyn before me tell her congratulations on the baby, have a good holiday Amber"

"Amber!" An excited squeal came running towards her "Guess what? I made a space ship today at school and Mr Pen said it's the best one. I even got a sticker do you want to see it? It's in my bag do you want me to get it? I'll go get it"

Amber nodded at Bridget "Okay sweetheart go get it"

Louise grinned at her, then looked at her more sympathetically "She's been pining for you all afternoon, I just can't wait till James and I have a little one of our own you know? You must be exhausted do you want to come in for a coffee?"

"No thank you but we better be going otherwise we'll miss our flight. Thank you anyway and thank you for watching her for me" Amber said kissing Louise on the cheek and giving her a big hug.

"Anytime hun have a safe trip and enjoy your holiday" Louise said.

"Thanks beautiful just give me a call if you need anything"

"I will" They both looked behind them when they heard the door slam shut, Bridget ran to her sister shoving a book in her face and holding out a plastic bowl painted like a space ship. Amber looked down at the earnest face and pretended to have a thorough inspection of the pages in the book.

"Hmm very good... I like this sticker the most" Amber thought her acting was pretty good. Or at least good enough to fool a six year old. The little girl in question snatched the book out of her hands. Louise looked at Amber and Amber pretended not to notice the behavior.

"You're not looking properly I'll show you where it is" Said Bridget sounding agitated as she flicked through the pages focusing really hard. Amber waited patiently "Here it is see?" A little finger pointed to a green, glittery, smiley face at the bottom corner at the right side of the page.

Amber proudly read the writing of encouragement Mr Pen had left next to it. Her little girls face was bright red in excitement as she pushed her space ship her sisters hand "I made it for you" Amber smiled at her sister.

"Thank you it's beautiful you did a wonderful job why don't you put them in the car? Say goodbye to Louise and thank you for looking after you" Amber put her arm around Bridget and directed her to face Louise.

"Thank you for looking after me bye Louise" Bridget hugged Louise.

"No problem Sweetie, you're a delight to have over, I'll see you soon" Bridget's face lit up at that. Amber waved one last time with Bridget in the back.