The Missing Warrior - ON HOLD

Chapter 3

I woke up to the woman of the shelter shaking me awake. 'What the hell does she want?' I silently asked. I finally took note that it was morning and I could smell eggs and bacon. 'Mmm'.

"Sweetie, you're going to miss breakfast" she smiled kindly at me. "Thank you" I said to her and quickly got dressed.

It must have been about 5 minutes until I got the huge canteen where breakfast was being served. I sat there in my own thoughts and I had that feeling you get when you think someone is staring at you. Boy was I right, everyone was staring at me and I do mean everyone. I then remember that I didn't have my hoody or hat on. My long locks were hanging around my shoulders and falling down my back. I heard them all gasp then the whispering began.

I heard stuff like 'aw that poor girl', 'she's so pretty' but the last comment was made by the woman sitting next to me "You remind me of someone, someone special" she then looked scared that she spoke out of line. 'Ok, what the hell does that mean'? I quickly jumped out my seat and ran back to the place where my stuff was once I grabbed everything I left.

That comment was really bugging me, "What did she mean? Does she know me?" I shook my head at that though and made my way to the shopping mall.

I went to the store that I know doesn't have an alarm. Living on the streets for 2 years you kind of get to know all of this. I know that it's terrible and so very wrong to shoplift but, I have no money and I really need underwear and a sports bra. Very slowly I made my way over the underwear and looked at a few things. I ended up picking a soft navy matching bra and panties and found myself a sports bra. I picked up some clothes as well and hid the underwear and sports bra.

I walked into the changing room and quickly put on my new underwear and the sports bra. I put on a pair of jeans that I managed to grab as well. I was lucky that the shop was empty apart from the woman at the till who was not paying attention to me when I walked in; she was too busy on the phone.

I walked over to the bags on the shelf and picked a bag that would just about fir my things in. I quickly picked up another pair of jeans and went back to the changing rooms. I kept the jean on and put my other trousers and old underwear in the bag and made my way out the changing room. I remembered to grab the couple of tops I had that I pretended to put on so I didn't look to suspicious. I walked around the corner and the woman who was meant to be standing at the till smiling kindly to me.

"Find everything you need?" she asked me.

I was stunned and scared; I thought she was going to bust me.

"Yes thank you, I won't be taking these" I said and handed her the tops. She took them out my hands with no fuss. I smiled at her and walked out the shop.

Once I got out the mall I made my way to the little bakers on Fifth Avenue and went around the back. As always there was Ruby sitting there with a brown bag.

"Hi Ruby" I smiled to the elderly woman.

"Savannah dear, I was beginning to worry about you, you are never late"

"Just took a wee detour, that's all Rubs" I reassured her and gave her a hug, she gladly returned my hug but didn't let go. 'I wonder what's wrong'. I took a step back and looked at her.

"Is everything OK Ruby?" I asked and kneeled down beside her.

"I just worry about you dear. I hate you out on the streets all the time, especially at night" She cried. I know what was coming next; we have the same argument over and over for the past year now.

"Will you not come live with me? Please Savannah, you need a home. I can look after you". She was breaking my heart. I always told her no, I didn't want to be a burden.