There is a girl named Eliza Hathaway. Until she was only eight years old, she had a wonderful life. She lived happily with her mother and father in New York City. It was a great life, they had each other with their hopes and dreams. Then one day, a nasty thing happened.
It happened when Eliza and her parents were driving home from a trip to the zoo. A drunken driver crashed into the car killing Eliza's mother and father. This as well as you can imagine was a shocking thing that can happen to two gentle parents.
Their own troubles were over in a speeding bullet, at least it was quick. They were dead and gone in eighteen seconds flat. Eliza's troubles were just the beginning. She was sent away to live with her two step aunts. Her aunts are known as Vanessa and Uma. I'm sorry to say it, but they're both really horrible people.
They began to beat Eliza for almost no reason at all. They treated Eliza like a slave, made her wear rags and do all of the work in the house. They even made her sleep in the basement. Uma told her that she shouldn't speak unless she is spoken to.
They gave her less food and less water. As time went on, Eliza became sadder and more lonely than ever before. After Eliza lived with her step aunts for two years, there came a time when Eliza did something that she hasn't had the guts to do since living with them.
She is going to run away, but she wasn't sure when.
