Thanks to all of you for your comments: I hope you continue to enjoy the story – I'm really getting into writing it, at least.

Thank you to hybridwolf10, Valencia Charmaine, lilmonkeygirl31, naley-obssesshunz-xOx, and xSmile for your comments. NaLeYBaBiixo and Nataliegirl1214 – let's see if your guesses about what is going to happen will survive this chapter. Things are starting to get interesting.

This chapter may seem a little out of the blue, but will make sense later. So let me know what you think.

Present Day

"I hope you're ready for school, Sarah." The passionless voice sounded from right outside her room, and the small, auburn-haired, blue-eyed girl within jumped.

"Yes, Daddy. Of course, Daddy," Sarah said hurriedly, as she picked up her backpack and walked to the door. Opening it, she found her father, a tall, thin man with very pale grey eyes. He was just standing there.

"Good girl. Time to go, then."

And with that, he gripped her arm firmly, ushering her ahead of him through the house. She tried to jerk her arm away, but he just kept hold, ignoring her movement, as they made their way to the garage, where she was soon seated in the rear of the car as her father buckled his seat belt.

"How is first grade going, Sarah?"

"It's good, Daddy. I've made some nice friends since kindergarten."

Her father frowned.

"I hope you're not spending time with unsuitable children, Sarah. You know I would be very displeased."

"Yes, Daddy."

He continued.

"I will pick you up after school. Do not be late."

"No, Daddy."

The rest of the trip continued in silence.

Sarah sighed as she walked to class. She didn't understand why her father hated her, why he didn't want her to enjoy school like all her classmates.

She didn't understand why she didn't have a mother.

As she walked along the corridor to her homeroom, Sarah looked about her, her blue, blue eyes wide open and filled with longing. She saw laughter, and talking, and fun.

And she was not a part of it. She would never be a part of it.

Sarah thought of the 'nice friends' she had mentioned to her father earlier that morning, and shrugged her shoulders. It had been worth a try. If he hadn't objected to that mention, it might have been worth making a friend or two.

Sarah gripped the straps of her backpack tighter, and let her gaze fall to the ground once more.

It was better not to think about what she didn't have.

But she really did want a mother.

She wanted someone who would love her, and talk to her, and who didn't care if she couldn't spell the words right, and didn't know that the capital of the Russian Federation was Moscow. She wanted someone to play with her hair, and dress her in pretty clothes. She wanted someone who knew what her favourite meal was, and wouldn't use it against her.

She wanted the same life as everyone else.

Reaching the door of her classroom, Sarah reached out and turned the door handle.

Another day of school. Just the same as the last.

And nobody was going to save her.

Miss Jacobs looked at Sarah Knight in concern as the girl sat silently at her desk, reading a book while the rest of the class laughed and talked amongst each other as they waited for the bell to ring. She didn't understand what was wrong with the child. She was always so silent, so withdrawn, so unapproachable. Miss Jacobs had tried talking to Sarah's father about it, but it seemed as if he was probably the problem. His expectations were that his daughter would excel in academics, and otherwise not be involved. He seemed to think that any friends Sarah might make were a bad influence.

Miss Jacobs couldn't understand it. There was something very strange about that family. It was just so sad. And Sarah was such a pretty child.

Actually, it was odd. Sarah somehow reminded Miss Jacobs of somebody, but she couldn't think who.

And she was almost certain that she should try to remember.

Whatever the fleeting connection was, it seemed like it could be important.

The bell rang, and Miss Jacobs watched Sarah find her bookmark, place it carefully in place, shut the book, and slide it into the backpack sitting by her feet.

Turning to face Miss Jacobs, Sarah looked directly at her, and gave a shy smile.

Miss Jacobs gasped.

Please review.