It was a game of cat and mouse, a game she had become good at. She knew this city. She knew all the twists and turns, the best hiding places, and the right places to steal. Unfortunately, the only thing that was unpredictable were the cops. She was always looking over her shoulder, making sure there were none around and she wasn't being followed.

Currently, she hid in an alley way as she waited for the cop car to drive by. Peeking around the corner, she saw the cop car closing in near her location so she quickly ducked back in the alley. Once the car passed, she headed in the opposite direction.

Eight years had passed since Iliya, now going by Cameron, had come to this new land. Things were definitely different here, but she was quickly able to learn the way of things. She had told herself that she wouldn't steal anymore; she would find a way to earn money and pay for what she needed. However, things do not always work out the way you plan.

As Cameron made her way down the street, she kept glancing around. She couldn't be delayed any longer; she was already late. It only took her a few minutes to get to where she needed to be. She walked down an alley. When she got near the end, she moved some boxes and a board revealing a hole in the wall. Cameron stepped inside, then turned to conceal the hole once more.

The building was abandoned. There was talk about restoring it for a store or something, but so far there were no plans, which was good. It took a while, but Cameron was able to make that hole as an entrance. It would be suspicious if people saw her coming and going in the front.

She walked across the room and out the door which led to a hallway. She then went into the room a few doors down. As soon as she entered the room, she was tackled by someone.

"Cameron, there you are. You were gone so long."

Cameron smiled. "Sorry, Rika. There seemed to be a lot of cops around."

"Did you bring anything good?" Someone else asked.

Cameron looked over. "Yes, Logan, I have some good things."

Cameron took off her backpack and opened it to reveal an assortment of food. The children gathered around her as she handed out the food.

Cameron never planned on looking after these kids; there were four of them. The youngest one was six, and the oldest one was ten. They had been in a group home together. Yes, she had ended back in one even though she told herself she didn't need anyone. She told herself maybe this time would be different. She soon learned it wasn't different. It was worse. She quickly made a plan to escape, but when she went to leave she glanced at the other kids. She couldn't leave them there so she made a new plan to take them with her. It took a little longer, but she was finally able to get them out of that place.

"Cameron, where's my candy?" Alex asked.

"Eat your lunch first and then candy," Cameron said as she continued handing out the food. Once the kids had their food Cameron took her own out of the bag and began to eat.

Cameron glanced around. This was not a perfect situation, but it was better than staying in that house. Eventually, she would have to find a better place for them to live. Since this place was not officially being used there was no electricity, which meant no heat at night. Sometimes it could get cold. They didn't have many blankets so whenever it did get too cold they would all sleep in a huddle.

"Cameron, I finished my lunch," Alex said. "Can I have my candy now?"

"If you want your candy," Cameron said as a mischievous grin appeared on her face. "you'll have to catch me first."

Cameron stood and began to run around the room with Alex right behind her. She ran around a table, but Alex was quick and cut her off. Cameron quickly turned around to head the other way only to find her way blocked by the other children.

"Well, that's just not fair."

While Cameron had been distracted by the other children, Alex came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her.

"Caught you!"

Cameron sighed. "Yep, you did."

"Get her!" Sara yelled.

The other kids rushed forward, tackling Cameron to the ground. Alex had quickly stepped out of the way so he wouldn't be squished. He then piled on top.

"This really isn't fair. Ok, kids, need to breath now."

They all laughed as they stood up.

Alex hovered over Cameron. "Can we have candy now?"

"Yes, you can have your candy now."

As the kids went to get their candy, Cameron sat up. No, this wasn't the perfect situation, but for now they were happy.

Cameron had tried going back to a children's home. It had been a year since she left the first one, a year that she had been in this new land. She found that trying to make it on her own was harder than she thought it would be. There would be times she would go without food. She kept moving, never staying in the same place twice. Some of the places she found to stay weren't that great and she would get cold at night.

It wasn't until she got sick that she decided to seek out help. At first, she thought she could tough it out, but after a few days she still had not gotten better. There was still so much she had to learn of this new land and she had no idea what kind of medicine she needed and so she did the one thing she didn't want to do; she got help. Of course, when it was found out that she had no home she was sent to a foster home. Cameron hoped this time would be different.

For a while it was better. She hadn't had a nightmare in a while so she didn't wake up screaming and scaring the other kids. She had actually made some friends. She was there for a year and a half before the person taking care of her and the other kids got sick. She had to be hospitalized and the children were taken to a different foster home. They were separated and Cameron had no friends in this new home.

Cameron only stayed there for half a year. It wasn't a bad place, but it didn't feel like home and sometimes she felt as if the one taking care of her didn't even want her there so she left.

Cameron was on her own for a few years after that. It was only a few months ago that she had been caught and was sent to another foster home, the one she and the other kids had escaped from.

"Cameron, come play with us."

Cameron glanced up at Sara who was waving at her.

"Coming," Cameron said as she stood up. She wouldn't let any of them go back to that place and that was a promise.

That night, once Cameron made sure the entrance in to the building was still secured, she tucked the kids in bed. They didn't have any mattresses, but Cameron was able to find some cardboard boxes that she smashed down. It wasn't the best but it did help a little.

"Cameron, can you sing us the lullaby?" Rika asked.

"Sure." Cameron sat down and began singing the lullaby her mother used to sing her.

Lullaby

And good-night

In the skies stars are bright

May the moon's silvery beams

Bring you sweet dreams

Close your eyes now and rest

May these hours be blessed

'til the sky's bright with dawn

When you wake with a yawn.

Lullaby

And good-night

You are mother's delight

I'll protect you from harm

And you'll wake in my arms

Sleepyhead close your eyes

For I'm right beside you

Guardian Angels are near

So we'll sleep without fear.

Cameron stayed sitting for a few minutes. When she knew they were all asleep, she grabbed her backpack, and made her way up to the roof. She leaned against the ledge as she gazed out at the city. She thought about her parents, trying to picture their faces. With each passing day she forgot more about what her parents looked like. She dreaded the day when she might forget them completely.

Cameron sat as she opened her backpack. After the food was gone she only had a few things left. She still had her wooden knight. It was the only thing she had to remind her of her life before and so she took very good care of it. The other things were a sketch book and some pencils. Since she had started forgetting about who the people she cared for looked like, she would try to draw them from memory.

She took her sketch book out and flipped through the pages. No matter how much she tried, she could never do her drawings justice. She wasn't even sure if she was remembering right, but at least it was something.

Cameron flipped to the next page where there was a drawing of a boy in a hat; her best friend Pinocchio. They had been nearly inseparable. Where one was you could usually find the other. It broke her heart when she was forced to leave him behind. She would rather be cursed with her friends and family than be alone in this land. Wherever Pinocchio was, Cameron hoped that he was all right.

He always intended on going back. He wasn't going to be gone forever…but one thing led to another and before he knew it years had passed. By the time he found her again she was a young child and he could tell she had had a rough life.

Pinocchio stood as he watched Emma sitting by a fire. It wasn't a life she should have, living on the streets. It was too late to explain where they came from and what she was destined to do; she would never believe it. And to tell her that she was the only one who could break a curse and free everyone was too much to put on her. He would just have to guide her in the right direction.

As he walked closer, he saw she was burning pages out of a book. "You're not really going to burn that, are you?"

Emma glanced up at him. "My problem right now is cold."

"If you're out here, lack of kindling is the least of your problems." He sat across from her. "What's your story?"

"I ran away, ok? I was in a crappy home and…it's none of your business."

Emma went to tear out more pages, but Pinocchio stopped her. "Please, don't. These are great stories. The Ugly Duckling. I loved this one when I was a kid."

"You're still a kid."

"You got spunk. When I was your age, it was great. The best fairy tales are about the same thing: transformation. See," Pinocchio flipped a couple of pages. "the duck becomes a swan."

"That's not what it's about. The duck was always a swan. It just didn't know it."

"Maybe that's how you see it, but I see it as about belief. About a duckling believing so hard that she'd become a swan one day it actually happened. If we believe something strongly enough, we all have the power to change our fate. Speaking of which, is this really the fate you want? Maybe your last home was bad, but it doesn't mean you won't find a good one someday." Pinocchio held out his hand.

Emma stared at him for a moment, until finally, she took his hand and together they made their way to the police station.

"So, do you just walk around helping kids off the street because you have no home either?" Emma asked.

Pinocchio was silent as he thought about how to answer that question.

"Can't I have a home and still help children?" He said, not directly answering her question.

"Why would you want to?"

"Life is hard as it is. Why should people make it harder? If I can help just one person, make their life a little easier, why shouldn't I help?"

Emma shrugged. "I guess that makes sense."

Soon the two of them stopped in front of the police station. "Never give up, and never settle for anything less than what you deserve."

Emma looked up at him. "How do I know what I deserve?"

"You deserve a good home with a loving family. Never stop searching for that." Pinocchio then gave Emma a little nudge and, after saying good-bye, she walked into the police station.

Once Emma was inside, Pinocchio didn't leave right away. He sat across the street, watching to make sure she really did get help.

When Pinocchio first left Emma he didn't realize how different things would be. He stayed with the group of kids he left with for a while. The first sign of trouble though, when they were being chased by the police, it was every kid for themselves. Pinocchio had turned down a different street and lost sight of the others. He had tried to find them, but they were gone. He never saw them again.

Pinocchio was brought out of his thoughts when he saw Emma come out of the police station followed by a cop. They walked a few feet to a car and got in. It seemed Emma would be taken care of now.

Pinocchio stood, then began walking. If his father could see him now he would probably be disappointed. But really, his father was expecting too much of him. A lot was riding on Emma's shoulders with her being destined to break the curse, but his father put a lot on his shoulders too. It wasn't fair.

Iliya would probably be disappointed in him as well. He wondered what she was doing right now.

Cameron was out scouting for a new place to stay. She didn't like staying in one place too long for fear that they would get caught. They also needed a warmer place to stay as the nights were starting to get colder. It wasn't easy looking for a place for five people without being noticed.

She turned a corner only to bump into someone. "Sorry," She said as she glanced at who it was.

By the time she realized who she had bumped into it was too late. The cop had grabbed her by the arm. "Hello, Cameron."

It was Officer Turner. He had almost caught Cameron a few times, but she was always able to outrun him.

"Let's have a chat." He led her to his car and soon they were on their way to the police station. Cameron hoped this wouldn't take long. She had to get back to the others before they started worrying about her.

Once they got to the station and sat down at Officer Turner's desk, he offered Cameron a glass of water, but she declined.

"All right, Cameron, why don't we skip the back and forth talk and you just tell me where you and the other kids are staying."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Cameron, Mr. Brown called me when you and the other kids ran away."

"Ok, so we ran away. Doesn't mean they are still with me. We all could have gone our separate ways."

"I don't think so. Mr. Brown told me you were close to those kids, that you looked out for them."

Cameron glared. "Did he also tell you that he abused those kids. If any of us did something he didn't like he would hit us. I put myself in front of those kids. I protected them. Taking them away from that place was the best thing for them."

"I understand that, but do you think that being on the street is better for them?"

"At least they aren't being abused."

"And what do you plan to do when winter comes? The nights will get cold."

"We'll make do. We always have."

"And what if one of them gets sick? You're going to steal medicine? And if that doesn't work? If one of them needs medical attention how are you going to pay for it?"

Cameron said nothing.

"Cameron, I know you love those kids and you want what's best for them. Do you think they have their best chance by living on the streets?"

Cameron was reminded of a time with her parents. It was only a few weeks since they had left to find a magic bean and her parents were arguing. She couldn't remember everything they were arguing about, but she did remember one thing: her mother saying they have to do the best thing for their daughter.

Cameron hated to admit it, but Officer Turner was right. Living on the streets was no way to live for them. And it hadn't even crossed her mind what she would do if one of them got sick.

After moments of thinking everything over, Cameron nodded. "Ok. But, you have to promise the next place the kids go to will be better. I am not sending those kids to be abused again."

"You have my word."

Cameron resisted the urge to scoff. His word meant nothing to her. People lie and say whatever they think someone wants to hear.

"I'll even check up every week," Turner continued.

"Fine."

Cameron refused to tell Turner where they were staying until they were back in his car. There was no turning back now. The kids would probably hate her. She promised she would take care of them and here she was handing them over to the cops who will take them to another group home.

When they arrived at the building Turner went to get out, but Cameron stopped him. "Let me go in first and explain things to them."

Turner sighed. "You get five minutes."

Cameron got out of the car and walked down the alley. When she got to the hidden entrance, she stopped and looked back down they alley. There was still time to change her mind. They have been staying in this building long enough that Cameron knew there were other ways out. They could run…but then what? Thinking in the long run, Cameron would never be able to give them what they need.

Taking a deep breath, Cameron went into the building. As soon as she entered the room, Sara wrapped her in a hug.

"Cammy, you were gone so long. I was afraid you left us."

Cameron smiled. "Of course, I wouldn't leave you." Her smile faded as she thought about what she was about to do. She gently pushed Sara back and looked at each of the kids.

"Cameron, what's wrong?" Alex asked.

"This isn't a good place for you to stay."

"Did you find us a new place to live?" Rika asked.

"Well, not exactly." Cameron kneeled down. "I've realized that I can't take care of you. Living from place to place is no way to live."

"What are you saying?" Logan asked

"There are cops here to take you-"

"Cops?" Alex said in disbelief. "You brought cops here?"

"Yes. They are going to take you to a good home."

"You promised we wouldn't have to go back."

"And you aren't going back. Not to the same place. This home is different. It will be better."

"You don't know that." Logan said.

"Cammy, you're giving us away?" Sara asked, her eyes wet with unshed tears.

"I'm sorry, Sara. I just can't give you what you need."

"We don't need much."

Cameron heard footsteps coming and knew her five minutes were up. Sara went to grab Cameron, but Cameron stepped back. "I'm sorry."

Officer Turner came into the room followed by another officer. As the officers were talking with the kids and getting them ready to go, Cameron took that time to slip away. She went back out through the entrance in the alley, then climbed up the ladder. Once on the roof, she made her way to the front and glanced down.

The officers were bringing the kids out of the building and putting them in the cars. Sara looked back at the building. "Cammy!"

Cameron closed her eyes as Sara's panicked voice reached her ears. Cameron slid down to the ground as tears formed in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Sara. I'm doing the best thing for you guys."

The lullaby Cameron sings is Brahms Lullaby.