Thinking back, I don't know if I would redo. There's a part of me that wants to, but doesn't want to. I don't want to remember the pain. But I want to remember the good things. Maybe I want to let go of the memories, but maybe I want to keep them. I can't choose. Nor would I choose.
There were eight of us. James, Madeline, Selena, Mason, Riley, William, Cory and me. All of us were outcasts. We were poor. We were lonely. We were starving. We were weak. Somehow or another, we all ended up on the street at the same time. James and Madeline were siblings, children of gamblers. Selena was abandoned by her family when they learned she was sick. Mason and Riley were the only two orphans. William, he was the rich kid until his father's fortune went down the drain. Cory was a little girl who we found one day being hunted by Robert Hughes. And me, I was torn away from my parents.
We all were being hunted by the same gang. We didn't know it at first, until we were cornered. I remember being on the verge of tears for Robert Hughes was holding me against my will, ready to hurt me. Selena and Madeline were not caught, so they were running for the police, if they would help. The police never came, but dogs did. The hound dogs bit the butts of the gang members, causing them to writhe and scream in pain.
I didn't see it though, my eyes were shut. But I did hear it. I heard the screams and yells. Suddenly, Robert had let go of me. My eyes opened automatically. Robert was running away. There were gray dogs with patchy fur and battles scars chasing him and his gang. Selena and Madeline were leaning against the alley wall and were panting. Sweat dripped from Madeline's forehead. The boys were in their spots, laughing and shouting rude comments to the gang to never return.
No one seemed to notice me, which I wouldn't blame them. I turned to leave, but William had grabbed my shoulder. He asked if I knew why Robert wanted me. At the time, I didn't know. No one knew in the group. Robert's gang didn't go around killing people or attacking them randomly. They were known for revenge, but not for how many kills. They didn't attack without a reason. All of us started talking about why they wanted us, because they were to sure to come back. I think it was Selena who suggested that we stick together, because when they would come back, we would be ready and help each other.
For two years, I had a family. Like some families, however, ours had to break. It wasn't an easy split. We didn't, or I didn't know what was happening. I didn't know that we were being betrayed. No one did. Except William, Madeline, and James. They caused us to break. They forced us to bend.
William was like the leader. He was in charge and felt responsibility for us. He protected us and told us what to do. Madeline was the mother, even though we are the same age. She healed us when we were sick and made us happy when we were sad. She helped us. James was the chef. It was sad that we had to lose him. After he left, we grew hungry.
They sabotaged other group members. Madeline caused Riley to leave us. I haven't heard what has happened to him. I don't see him on the streets. Nor do I see him around town whenever I go that way. When Riley left, I felt like following him. I couldn't though. Cory had attached her to me. She would have to stay where Selena, because Selena thought that Cory would be safe if they were near each other. I couldn't leave Cory. No.
Selena, Mason, Cory, and I remained. It is easier to hide with only the few of us. But it is harder to survive. Selena watches Cory. Mason hunts and searches for food. I spend the day trying to earn money so we can buy some supplies to live on. Before, we were almost ready to buy an apartment. But once William betrayed us, he stole the money.
If we are lucky, someone will let us lodge in their home or inn on a rainy day. If we happen to get extremely lucky, we get a bed to sleep on. The last time I slept on a bed, we were all together. When it does rain, we look for shelter. We usually sleep near a bridge, where other street people are.
