[A/N - if the changes to the first few chapters confuse you, it's because I've only edited up to here so far c:]
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I was woken by my state of reverie with the halt of the tube.
"W-whaa?" I mumbled, wiping my eyes.
I remembered where I was and sat upright, frightened. I wasn't at home.
'That's because you ran away' my subconscious told me with a smug smile. I frowned; leaving home was equally the bravest and most stupid thing I'd ever done, but had I not run away, I'd be crying in a corner of the house.
A man was staring at me, bringing me back to the here and now.
I winced as I sat up, feeling scared. I was told never to talk to strangers.
'You still talked to your dad, though. He's become a stranger to you.' My subconscious reminded me, full of ready wit as always.
"Are you okay, Miss?" He inquired, creasing his forehead with concern.
"I-I think so. What happened?" I asked, my voice timid: as if waiting for him to hit me.
"You were the last one on this stop; I waited for everyone to get off before I woke you. It's 6.30pm. Where are you meant to be going?"
My mouth fell open; how could I have allowed myself to sleep on the tube?
I should've known I was too tired to be able to wake myself when the tube stopped.
"I don't have anywhere to go to, not really anyway." I murmured hesitantly, playing with my thumbs nervously.
I gathered up the courage to peek a glance at him, nervous that if I looked at him, he'd raise his voice. It was men I was nervous around - I had no idea if they were all as unpredictable as my dad.
His eyebrows shot up, "Don't you have a place to stay? Why are you out so late?" He berated me, and I felt both like a child being scolded and also annoyed that a stranger felt they could talk to me in that tone.
"Not really...I thought I could just get on a train somewhere and book in at a hotel. I'm not..." I trailed off when I saw his concerned expression. I didn't want to divulge too much information - my future meant I'd leave no attachments to my past, or at least break the firm bond of the chains which bound me to my past.
He looked at me seriously, "Well, I doubt you're going to find somewhere this time of night."
"Yeah..."I trailed off, realisation hitting me. My eyes widened and I looked up at him, shock registered on my face - I was going to be homeless.
I realised that the tube was about to leave again, so I picked up my bag. "I have to go. Thank you anyway."
He followed me off the tube, and I realised I should feel worried - but I couldn't. Not around such a kind looking man who was making an effort to talk to me.
"Ever heard of Hotel 41 in Buckinghamshire?" He asked me.
I shook my head and he continued, "It's not too far a walk from here. I'll let you stay the night if you wish." He gave me a real smile this time and I smiled at him, a face splitting grin, as if I was clearing the first hurdle.
"Do you work there?" I asked him dubiously, toying with the strap of my bag, shifting my feet as I tried to lessen the weight on my back.
"I own it, well, I have done for two years." He gave me a smile and I nodded.
My first opportunity opened up to me; a place to stay, at least, for the night.
"Of course, I'd really appreciate it. Thank you."
