Orphans of the night

Chapter 18

Caught

I'd had a relatively easy few days, I was doing okay I suppose. Except my sleeping situation hadn't gotten any better. I missed my little box with my nightlight. I wish I had a set up like I had with my old group, but because I'm alone it's not safe to set up camp somewhere. I had to keep moving.

I often thought about my old group. We'd all come from the same orphanage together and I was devastated to be kicked out. I wondered how they were doing, how Carla was doing without me.

"Hi, I'm trying to raise money for my school" I lied as I held out my jar "certainly kid. Here's a tenner" a man in a suit said throwing in a $10 note "thank you so much" I smiled. Yeah I know, lying was bad and scamming people was bad, but I needed to survive.

***

I was wondering the streets trying to find somewhere to sleep for the night before it got dark out.

I stopped in front of a store trying to decide what I'd get to eat when I noticed someone in a familiar long blue coat and dark sunglasses across the street. I felt such a sense of relief and safety just seeing her and knowing she was close by. I smiled as I watched her, debating wheather to go over and say hi but she looked like she was on an important phone call.
She looked in my direction but didn't seem to notice me so I decided to go over and say hi "hey Demi!" I called out to her across the street as I waved my arm up to get her attention.

I checked both ways before I crossed the street but someone grabbed my arm "ow! Let go!" I screamed as I tried to pulled away "settle down" I looked up to see it was a police officer who had grabbed me "let me go!" I screamed out frightened.

I quickly looked back over to where I'd seen Demi hoping she'd come over and save me like last time, but she'd disappeared. I looked back at the officer and kicked his leg hoping he'd loosen his grip enough for me to slip out, but he held a firm grip "we're just trying to help you" he said "no! Let me go!" I screamed on repeat but it was no use. He was bigger and stronger then me and before I knew it, I was in the back of a police car.

***

"Listen kid, your not in trouble. Just tell us where your from" a police women asked sliding me a bottle of water. I didn't answer, I kept my arms folded and a straight face. She'd been asking me all kinds of questions for the last hour but I remained silent. She eventually sighed and got up to leave the room. I sat in the little room alone, terrified. I can't believed I'd been caught after all this time.

After 5 minutes another policeman walked in with a bag in his hands "hey. You hungry?" He smiled holding up a bag. I unfolded my arms and shrugged. I definitely was, but I didn't wanna give in that easily.

"here you go" he smiled holding out the bag. I reached out to grab it but then he pulled it away "first. You gotta tell me your name" he said. I swallowed hard and took a deep breath in "Blossom" I said confidently. The policeman didn't look convinced but he handed me the bag anyway and I dove in.

When I was about halfway through my burger and fries he continued with the questions "where are your parents?" "I dont know" I mumbled with a mouth full of food. It was silent for a few more minutes before he put a photo on the table in front of me "you match the description and photo ID of this little girl whose been missing for quite some time. Her names Lizzy" he said gently. I gasped as my jaw dropped. I reached out and touched the photo. It was me, it was a young photo of me. In the photo I was smiling widely and had a few missing teeth that the tooth fairy took. I remember when that photo was taken.

I pushed it towards him and sat back folding my arms across my chest "I dont know who that is" "really? Okay well. It's a shame because we were hoping she could help us find the other missing kids from the same orphanage" he said taking the photo back. I tried to hide my shock at his mentioning of my old group "no idea" I shrugged "can I go now?" I spat.

The officer took a deep breath in "you'll have to stay here the night and someone from social services will pick you up tomorrow to take you to an orphanage" he said sympathetically. My eyes started to water "no. Let me leave now" I begged running towards the door. He quickly got up and stood in front of it "we can't just let you go back out on the streets, but don't worry, you'll be taken care of now.. Lizzy" he looked at me with kind eyes.

I started to cry. I felt so defeated. I went over to the small sofa I'd been sitting on and laid down with my back turned to him. I could feel his gaze on me before he left the room.

I felt so alone and scared as I cried myself to sleep

***

I woke up the next day with a stiff neck and puffy eyes. I looked around confused before I remembered everything that had happened the day before. I threw the blanket off me someone must have laid over me during the night and ran towards the door, Locked "ugh" I kicked the door in frustration. I balled my hair in my fists when I heard footsteps approaching.

I stepped back as my breathing became fast anticipating who was about to walk in, but I never would have guessed who was about to come through the door.