'I wish I could, but I know I can't.'
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15-year-old Josephine Parker just wanted to seek shelter in the old warehouse. Instead, she unwillingly overheard something she shouldn't have and therefore crosses the path of the Marini family.
A family...
First things first: The cursive written part in the beginning contains violance against homeless people. So a bit of data before you start: homeless people have a twice as likly chance to die at homicide compared to stable housed people. The articel also mentions in increase of 40% in violance against homeless people ("People struggle to stay safe while homeless as violent crime rates rise"By Taylor Nichols - December 6, 2023). Its an article, not a study but the studies are linked in the articel.
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JOSEPHINE
"Look at this worthless piece of trash. Ruining the image of our city. Hey, I'm talking to you! Are you too stoned to understand me?" The voice slurs. A foot kicks me in the back; the pain is as sudden as it is hard. I want to turn around, run away, escape, but I know I can't do that. Endure, endure, I just have to endure. Someone is stepping on my leg, putting all their weight on it, and I'm afraid it will fracture. They'll leave again. They'll leave again. I just have to endure it.
"These bums are making me sick!" They're young, young and drunk. Not a good combination. The pressure on my leg is getting stronger and stronger. Please don't break, please don't break. I bite my tongue to stop myself from screaming. My body curls up; my hands try to protect my head. A mistake. They think it's an invitation. I have to stay silent; if I scream, they'll hear what I am. If they know what I am, they will do worse. "You are a disgrace to everyone!"
Someone spits, probably on me. I am kicked in the back again. Again, pain blinds me. My tongue bleeds, and I can't help myself; I scream. They laugh. The screaming doesn't stop, but neither does the laughing. Suddenly, I feel pain all over. My body burns; a new fire ignites again and again.
"If they don't piss off, we have to help them!" I hear a zipper, then several, and instead of kicks, I feel warm, smelling liquid. They laugh even louder, full of disgusting joy at what they are doing.
"Hey, Josephine!" They knew my name. They knew my name! They know I'm a girl! They will— "Wake up! Fuck, wake up already!"
Wake up? But I was awake! A hand touched my shoulder and tried to turn me over. 'No, no, no, no!' I couldn't let that happen! 'I have to get out of here.' Someone was blocking the way to the door. The window! I could escape out the window! If only I could be fast enough. But I had to try; I had to get out of here. Staying was not an option. I ran, but before I reached the window, arms wrapped around my torso and held me back. Too slow, I had been too slow. Maybe if I could distract them, maybe then I could escape. Desperately, I pulled my elbow across my attacker's face.
"Fuck, Josephine, that was my face!" Riccardo cursed loudly. Riccardo? What was Riccardo doing here? I opened my eyes wider and looked around frantically, my heart pounding. Where were they? Had they hidden? They had to be here somewhere! Where was I? "God, I'm not going to hurt you. You had a bad dream. Look around; where are you?"
