Insider

Chapter 1

Beatrice lived a tough life, even before being abandoned in the middle of a city she'd never been to. She thought her life was terrible before and couldn't get any worse, but she was wrong.

She'd always looked young for her age. When she was 12, most people assumed she was around 6. This helped her survive. When people see a dirty and hungry little child, they are more inclined to feed them. One freezing and rainy day, her savior showed up. He looked so scary at first, but then he bent down and smiled at her.

"Hey Princess, are you out here all alone?" 

She was scared to talk to him, so she nodded. But her stomach growled because she was starving. So the jig was up.

"Are you hungry?" Bea nodded again, "would you like to come home with me? There's a hot meal and a clean bed for you."

She narrowed her eyes; she'd met perverts like this before. "No way, creep."

She was scared that he was going to take her; it wouldn't be the first time someone had tried. "I'll make you a deal and give you my phone. If at any time you feel unsafe, you can call the police. I promise not to touch you. I want to help."

Her need for food and to get out of the rain took over her body. She never would have agreed to it if she wasn't starving and soaking wet. But she reached out for his phone, and once she had it in her hand, she followed him to the most expensive car she'd ever seen. "I'll swing by and grab you something to eat. The drive back to the house is a bit long."

He told the driver where to go, and they were off. Once she had food in her belly, she couldn't help but fall asleep. Bea woke up when the car came to a stop. She was lying with her head on his leg. She scrambled back, "I'm sorry, Sir. I didn't mean to get your pants wet."

He chuckled, "Don't worry; I can always dry clean them. Are you ready to see your new room?"

"I'm going to be staying here? Like for good?"

He turned to her, "If you want to stay, you are more than welcome to." She didn't say anything. She just followed him into the house. They walked up a giant staircase, and he showed her into a room. Inside was an older lady; she had short grey and curly hair. She was wearing a uniform, and she smelled like cinnamon rolls. "Julia, can you please get her cleaned up and fed for me? I have some work to attend to."

"Of course, Mr. Knight. I'd be happy to." She looked at Bea with a sweet smile. "Come on, little one. What's your name?"

She didn't want them to know her real name; she didn't trust these people. "Trixie Han," she squeaked out. 

"Well, Trixie, let's get you cleaned up and get some food in your belly. Okay?" She led her into the fanciest bathroom she'd ever seen. She started the bath and filled it with bubbles, "go ahead and get in." She turned around to give her some privacy. Bea was beginning to like this woman. She got into the tub and just groaned. She was so cold, and it was so warm; Julia came over, and she started washing Bea's hair. Then she handed her a washrag that was all soapy, "Here, wash yourself, dear."

When Bea was clean, she wrapped her in a towel and dried her hair. Then, she braided it into French pigtails. "How old are you, dear? Mr. Knight told me that you were around 6."

Does she tell them the truth? That she was 12 years old, or should she go with the 6-year-old lie? She thought that was too much of a stretch, "I'm 9."

She sighed, "You are going to hate the clothes that we got. Mr. Knight thought that you were so much younger. I'll get you new things, so you have stuff you like tomorrow." When they walked into the bedroom, she was right. The outfit that they picked was a hot pink Barbie shirt and skirt. Bea didn't mind the skirt; it was a two-layered plaid black, pink, and white dress. But add in the sweater, and ugh. 

"Thank you for the clothes."

She hugged her, "I'll be right outside the door. Get dressed, and then I'll make you something to eat." Bea might not have been six years old, but the clothes fit her. She dressed quickly and went to find Julia. "Great, let's go get you fed."

She took her to the kitchen, and in 10 minutes, Bea had a massive grilled cheese and a bag of chips on a plate. "Don't tell Mr. Knight, but here." She slid her a glass of soda. "It's root beer, so he shouldn't get too mad."

"Thank you."

She was exhausted after eating. Julia told her to go to bed, and Bea went gratefully. She woke up in the middle of the night. She was so scared, and she didn't know what to do. So she went and looked for Mr. Knight. He was downstairs in his office. The door was open, so she knocked quietly. He looked up from his computer. "Trixie, what are you doing up?"

"I had a nightmare, I'm scared."

He got up and opened the door fully. "Here, lay down on the couch. I'll be right back." He left and brought back a pillow and a blanket. "Sleep here, Princess, and sleep well because a Knight is here to protect you."

Something about him made her trust him. Bea fell asleep quickly, and when she woke the following day, she was in bed. "Good morning, Trixie. Get dressed, come downstairs, and eat. Mr. Knight is waiting on you."

Bea scrambled out of bed as fast as she could. True to her word, Julia had made sure that there were clothes in her closet that were more age-appropriate. Well, appropriate for the age that they think she is, anyway.