AN: Well here comes the next Chapter. I hope you enjoy -Keisha

Chapter 3 „Journey"

After Casey had moved out of her father's apartment she was allowed to spend the night in the Apartment of the Youth Official who had gotten her out from her fathers house. Her name was Sarah Ashburrow and she originally came from England and was a verry nice woman.

She had told Casey that she'd gotten her a ticket for the morning-train to Canada because it was cheaper than taking the plane. Sure it would take Casey 13 hours getting there but she had her Laptop and her mobile Phone with her so she was sure she could survive the ride. She had yet to call her mother which would be a though. It was close to 8pm so Casey didn't want to wait much longer with the call.

Sarah had been trying to encourage her the whole time. It hadn't even been twenty-four hours that the two of them knew each other but they were perfectly getting along. They had clicked through the pictures on Caseys Laptop with Casey showing the older woman who her new family was going to be. Sarah and her had even exchanged phone numbers so they could keep in touch and if anything bad was ever to happen, Casey could call her. Sarah had been persistant on that, time didn't matter it could be two in the morning but Casey could and should still Call her if there was ever anything on her mind. They had exchanged Mail IDs too, so Casey could mail her about how she was doing, too. It was verry late that evening when they went to sleep. Casey might not have known her for long but Sarah Ashburrow would forever have a special place in her heart.

After Casey got settled in comfortably for the ride she got out her Laptop once again. She looked through the pictures her mother had happily sent her way and tried to memorize each of the family members names. There was George, he was her mom's new husband. Then there were his three kids, Derek was the oldest boy's name he was just a few months older than Casey herself. Then there was Edwin, he was the middle child, and was about a year older than Caseys own sister... Lizard. Damn Casey had missed her little sister so much, she couldn't even form words for it.

Lizzy, Elisabeth McDonald, Caseys only blood-related sibling. She was eagerily looking foreward to finally see the younger girl again. It had been years that she'd seen her last. Lizzy had been a kindergardener back then. Now, she was at School and doing pretty good Sarah had told Casey. She was a Tomboy, that much Casey had gathered from the pictures. She seemed to be a soccer player, because there was always a ball wherever Lizzy was. Casey had read as much in one of her mothers Mails. Casey was so eager to finally meet her.

For the first time Casey let herself relax back into the comfortable plush train-seat and jammed in her headphones. She let the feeling of finally beeing free seep through her entire body. No more dance recitals! Ever! No more staying locked up in her room! No more beeing grounded for no reason... Casey was crying tears of joy. She was free... Finally free...

Sure she wasn't sure what was expecting her in that new house, with that completely new family but she was looking foreward to it actually and not dreading it like she had been dreading every other day with her father. She was exchanging mails with her mother on the ride before she put the laptop away and plugged in her headphones listening to the song „Hold On" By Youngblood Hawke. With her eyes closed she let herself be swept away by the lyrics.

AN: So this is Casey embarking on her journey towards a destination unknown to her but filled with so much hope. How will she be received by the McDonald-Venturis? Will she fit into the new family?