Never home for me

Part 1

Stumbling, I crept up the dark street to the big shed near the end. As I walked I clutched everything I owned to my chest. I held a picture, a small bun, an empty water bottle and two small blankets. This were the only things that had any value to me. I spotted a gleaming patch on the floor as I moved. Slowly yet purposefully I knelt and picked it up. The gold pound coin shone in my palm. My heart leapt. I could have breakfast and lunch tomorrow! I haven't been able to have breakfast for ages. I looked up to realise slowly that the shed was full of other homeless people. Noises of them shouting terror in their sleep echoed across to me. I found a spot between a dirty looking man and the wall. The space next to the wall was always last to be occupied as it was the coldest every night.

Just as I started to get settled, I spotted an open garbage bin full to the brim of lush food packets. I stood and jumped over a few sleeping figures to get to it. This was more than I could have hoped for. I plunged my hand into it, ignoring the other people's dirty looks at me for disturbing the night. Carefully I pulled out a half eaten sandwich and about 2 table spoons worth of a milkshake left in its container. I carried these items carefully back to my sleeping space and planned what I could eat. If I had the half eaten sandwich for lunch tomorrow I could save the £1 for tea and have the milkshake now. That worked out ok. I carefully poured the milkshake down my throat, until I heard with a gurgle that my stomach had received some. It tasted so good, soothing my burning hot throat and giving me a little satisfaction from the constant hunger. I felt content and lay my head upon the 2 blankets used as pillows and duvet to cushion me away from the hard floor. I quickly pushed all my possessions beneath me for protection so I would know if anyone tried to steal them.

The next thing I knew, the sun was blazing down on my closed lids and a glorious heat spread up over my body. Uh oh. That meant it is nearly 6 O Clock. I looked up to see that most of the other people had left, knowing what would happen if they stayed too late. I quietly gathered my stuff together and saw the empty small rucksack i usually put them all in. Stuffing the items into the bag, I jumped up only to find myself looking at the back of a police officers helmet.