Dreams

Chapter 2 Maira

Chapter 2 Maira

I slowly break into consciousness, feeling my body aching as I always do when I wake up. I feel like I can’t move; it hurts too much, every muscle is stiff – my back is always the worst; still tender from all the bruises. I slowly sit up, stretching my arms over my head, and I click my fingers. I rise to my feet and stumble out into the morning light. It is Saturday today, but no one is on the playground yet. This is unusual, because normally there are many children running up and down shouting. They normally wake me up in the morning with their voices.

I open the gate, and it creaks harshly; it obviously feels like i do in the morning. I walk along the three streets to the supermarket and round the corner to the back, where the bins are. There is an old wrinkly man stooped over reaching into one of them. I pick another one; it is never good to get near strangers who are like me, they are not usually the nicest of people. I find half a French stick, it is stale, but it’s more food than I usually get in a whole day, so I’m grateful. I walk away and find a bench to sit on. I am now on the High Street, and it is becoming rather busy. I keep my head down in order to not attract attention and sink my teeth into the bread. It feels warm as it slides down my dry stinging throat, and I know that I will need something to drink soon. My last bottle of water ran out the day before yesterday, so I am very dehydrated. I fold the paper over the end of the bread and tuck it into my small school rucksack; I will eat the rest later. I get up and walk over to the notice board, to see if there are any new job advertisements, I Have been looking for a job for months, but no one seems to want me working for them. I can’t think why – a grubby girl with no money or qualifications, what more could you want?

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