Bring it on

Audrey

A little girl, alone, on the side of the road. She was crying, wiping her nose on the sleeve of a sweatshirt that must have been at least three sizes too big. The street was unnaturally quiet, not many people in this area were lucky enough to have a a car, or any vehicle. The houses were all the same. Small, dull, and in desperate need of maintenance. Rows upon rows of them. There was not one thing that was grand or majestic about this place, or the girl. She lifted her face as a woman approached her. The woman was a tall figure, dressed head to toe in black, even her hair was an inky black. Her eyes were the most beautiful green Audrey had ever seen. The woman crouched down beside her. Audrey flinched when she came closer to comfort her, "My apologies, I didn't mean to- oh baby, look at your face!" As Audrey tucked her hair behind her ear it revealed a huge bruise, covering at least a quarter of her face. She asked, "What happened to you?" though she already knew the answer.
"I-I dropped a plate and it s-smashed all over the f-floor!" she sniffed, "Please don't say anything to him...he would kill me!"
"What would you say, child, if I offered you an escape from all of this? You would never see these people again. He could never hurt you."
"W-what do you mean?"
"I mean, that if you come with me right now, right this second, you will be safe, and you can have a better life than you would ever have here." There was a tiny glimmer of hope in Audrey's eyes for a second, and then it was gone.
"But I don't know you." she sounded worried now, realising that she should not be talking to this strange woman at all.
"That can all change in time. Just take my hand, Audrey. I will never hurt you." The woman pleaded with the her. The girl looked back at one of the shabby houses behind her, and then looked back at the woman.
"Will I be away for a long time?" she asked, as if considering asking someone for permission.
"Forever, which is an exceptionally long time, yes, but you will never have to see or worry about that awful man again. He will never be able to hurt you again. I promise." Audrey glanced at the house once more, before standing up nervously. The woman stood up with her and held out her hand. Without another questioning look or doubt about anything, Audrey reached out and took the woman's hand.