Present day...

It had happened so quickly and unexpectedly. She was beside him one minute and gone the next.

Rachel had been on edge all day. Eddie thought it was about the small baby's remains being found on the school premises, and the fact that it would attract the attention of the local press. But there was more to it than that. He could feel it. Her running out of the office as Maxine was telling them about how that baby had ended up being buried on the school grounds was confirmation.

He quietly excused himself, leaving Steph and Maxine with the detective.

It didn't take him long to find Rachel. She was stood in the corridor, staring blankly out of the window, a stray tear rolling down her cheek. Eddie approached her calmly, placing a hand on her arm. She flinched, her head snapping toward him. Eddie quickly removed his arm.

"I'm sorry" she mumbled

"Don't be, it's been a tough day" Eddie reassured

She was trembling, her eyes welling with tears as continued to stare out of the window.

"Tell me what's wrong" Eddie requested gently

Rachel shook her head frantically. She couldn't tell him. He'd never be able to look at her in the same way again.

"Rachel, please?"

"Leave me alone" she huffed, wiping her eyes before heading back to her office, leaving Eddie stood in the corridor

...

19 years ago...

Amanda stepped into her former home, trying to repress the urge to gag. The house stank of alcohol and stale urine. She shivered at the lack of warmth in the hallway. The heating evidently hadn't been on for weeks, meaning the rent, gas and electricity bill probably hadn't been paid either. She'd given her Father the money to pay for it all, knowing he'd probably spend it on drink instead. She'd been right.

She wished she'd never come back. Every instinct within her was telling her to run while she had the chance. But she couldn't. She had to face her Father before she left for good. Her life was going to change tomorrow. She would no longer be a prostitute. She was going to build a life for herself and make her Mum proud. She was going to become a Mother, and then she was going to go back to school.

"What are you doing here?"

The voice made her blood turn to ice.

She turned around, finding her Father stood in front her, his cold, black eyes burning into her own. Even now, as a 19 year old, he made her feel like a small, powerless child. And she hated herself for being so weak.

She stood up taller, her eyes meeting his.

"Answer me, girl! Why aren't you out on the streets making money?" he snarled

His breath stank of stale alcohol and cigarettes. She resisted the urge to gag, placing her hand on her stomach. She could do this.

"I quit, Dad. I'm done. I'm leaving" she told him firmly

He laughed

"Yeah, right. And where are you going to go?" he questioned

"I don't know, anywhere away from you and this cess pit!" she retorted

He glared at her

"I'm done, Dad. I'm sick of doing your dirty work! Get off your arse and get a job! You're a lazy, nasty drunk! I'm ashamed that you're my Dad! So I'm leaving, I'm going to get my education, and I'm going to get a job" she continued

"And I'm going to be a Mum" she added, placing a hand on her stomach

Before she could react, he grabbed her by her hair. She yelped, desperately trying to escape his grasp.

"YOU SELFISH BITCH! HOW DARE YOU SPEAK TO ME LIKE THAT?!" He snarled

"GET OFF ME!" she screamed

He let go of her, slapping her hard across the cheek before shoving her. Amanda lost her balance, falling backwards onto the floor.

But her Father didn't stop there. He started to kick and punch relentlessly at her body. She cried out, curling into a ball as his foot made contact with her legs, her back, her stomach, her head.

When he finally stopped, there was blood everywhere. It covered the walls and the carpet, sinking into Amanda's skin. She was paralysed by pain, unable to move.

Her father stood over her menacingly, a triumphant grin on his face. He spat on her, his saliva landing on her cheek. She whimpered.

"Get out of my sight" he growled, landing a final blow to her stomach before sinking into the shadows of the kitchen

Amanda groaned in pain, slowly dragging herself over to the door. She made it, using the door handle to pull herself shakily to her feet. Without hesitation, she limped out of the house, her body trembling in pain.

She didn't stop walking until she was in town.

There were plenty of people around, but none that were willing to help her. As she limped passed various strangers, they all stared at her in horror, most crossing the street to avoid her.

As she walked along, she caught a glimpse of herself in the reflection of a window. Her breath hitched in her throat. Her face was covered in blood and bruises, so distorted and swollen that she barely recognised herself. Her shirt and tights were torn and her hair was a mess. Suddenly, she didn't blame anyone for not wanting to help her. They all knew she was a prostitute. They probably thought she'd got what she deserved. People didn't want whores in their town.

She disappeared into a deserted alleyway, sinking onto the floor. Her body was aching and tired, screaming for sleep and shivering from cold. She knew she couldn't sleep here. It was too dangerous. But where else could she go? Her Motel room was probably occupied by someone else now and no one would give her a room for the night, not in the state she was currently in. Pregnant, broken and bruised.

Of course there was the hospital, but she couldn't face the judgmental looks and whispers from the doctors. It might just finish her off.

Suddenly, a pain ripped through her stomach, so strong and excruciating it made her cry out. Her hand shot to her stomach as she writhed in pain. She bit her lip hard to stifle a groan, desperately trying to control her shallow breathing.

She felt liquid pooling out from in-between her legs. She whimpered, she couldn't bear to look. Still, she found her hand reaching down. When she pulled her hand back up, it was covered in blood.

She knew what was happening; there was no mistaking that she was in early labour.

"No, please, no!" she sobbed, holding her stomach tightly

She lay on the ground of the alleyway, whimpering and trembling with pain. Her hand remained glued to her stomach, praying with her baby to fight, to stay alive. They were all she had left; she couldn't lose them, not now.

Hours went by and no help came. Amanda screamed and sobbed through every excruciating contraction.

And, eventually, the pain went away...

A tiny baby lay on the ground next to her, motionless and not breathing. Amanda knew immediately there was no saving them, but it didn't stop her heart from breaking in two as she cradled the little girl in her arms. She kissed her forehead softly, memorising every feature of her beautiful face, her wispy, light brown hair.

"I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry" she whispered, her tears wetting her daughter's cheeks

"I love you my darling, don't you ever forget that ok? I'm sorry I let you down, I'm so sorry"

As she held her, she grieved for the life they would have shared together, for the future they would have had. Just a few hours ago, her baby had been alive; she had felt her kicking and moving around, felt her foot pressing against her hand. Amanda had been planning a future for the both of them. So many hopes and dreams. And now it was all gone, and there was no need. The only light in her life had gone out, leaving her in pitch black darkness with no way out. If she couldn't save her baby, what was the point of saving herself?

She took off her jacket, wrapping her daughter in it. Even if it meant that she herself died from the cold, she didn't care. As long as her little girl was warm, that was all that mattered.

She lay down next to her, cradling the small bundle in the crook of her arm. She closed her eyes as she sobbed. What was the point anymore?