Undaunted

Chapter 3- Katie

Chapter 3- Katie
June 28th, 2020
Hannah Shawe
Police Station, Bristol
Whilst Sergeant Brown was taking care of mother, a different police officer, a woman, walked into the empty room. She appeared wise, with golden brown skin and had curly brown locks which bounced of her face. She was young, perhaps in her late twenties or early thirties. She was a healthy weight and had a calm, soft voice.
Like Sergeant Brown, she had a wide, warm smile which boasted her straight, pearly white teeth.
"Hello Hannah! I'm Chief Hagan, but you can call me Katie."
I felt a lump appear in my throat. I instantly start to pick at my nails anxiously waiting for what Katie had to say.
"Hi Katie!" I tried to sound happy but it came out quiet and small. It was hard to hide the fact that I had been crying for the past hour. Who wouldn't? My life and changed so quickly in such a short amount of time.
"So, it has come to my attention that you are in need of a new home. It's lucky for you that a man, the same age as your mother, has offered to take you in. Funnily enough, he actually went to secondary school with your mother. His name is James Williams and he lives in a large town in Kilton, located in Northamptonshire." Said Katie
I stood in silence, letting all the new information sink in. Regretfully I looked up at Katie to see so much pity and sorrow upon her face, her clearly not wanting to be here either.  I figured I had to say something.
"Oh..." I muffled. I began to burst out into tears again. Katie came over to comfort me, stroking my back.
"There, there. I know this is a scary experience, but we will pull through this together. If you ever feel in danger or upset, let me know instantly by calling this number."
She pulls a crumpled piece of paper from out of her left pocket and scribbles some numbers in bold upon it, placing it into my hand. I managed to squeeze out a quiet 'thank you' and attempt a smile at her.
"Did I mention that he has two sons? One aged twenty and one aged fifteen, like you. Maybe you could make a friend?" She smiled again, still standing beside me. 'Fuck.' I thought silently to myself. I hate straight men. This is going to make living arrangements very hostile. I'm a lesbian, and all my friends are female or non binary. This is going to be fun.
"That should be interesting..." I told her.
"Indeed!" She said with a hint of laughter, clearly not picking up the sarcasm. "On another note, you are to leave in two hours. I know it may seem soon, but it's the only time we can arrange to drive you over. We've been to your house and collected all your belongings. I believe they're outside the room."
This came as quite a shock. I won't even have any time to say goodbye to my friends. I would be leaving my childhood home for the first time in forever. I would be in a home by tonight, somewhere new. Anything new most doubtfully will be scary. It was a lot to take in, but I had to pull through.

*four hours later*
We were halfway there already. Katie was in the passenger seat and I was in the back. A taxi driver was hired to take us there. Katie attempted to make conversation, but I just wanted to stay silent and by myself. I gazed through the window. Losing focus as my mind took hold. My stomach was twisting and churning. It had only just hit me that I would have to start a new school. New people. New teachers. More bullying, just for being myself. I had always been bullied for having an fashion style other than 'basic.' I usually wear thick back eyeliner with 25mm eyelashes and some form of oversized black hoodie or dress. I wear thin, black, ripped tights with knee high Demonias or platform Doc Martens, for example. I usually get called a goth. Today I was wearing a black Arctic Monkeys shirt with a red tartan skirt paired with ripped black fishnet tights and Hello Kitty Doc Martens which I stole from my local shop back at home. I'm also a lesbian. I was closeted for four years until I had the courage to come out to my mum and dad. People at school soon found out I was dating my ex-girlfriend Lilley, and didn't take it lightly. Two hours left. Fuck.

*two hours later*
2 hours later, we are entering Kilton town centre. I turn my head left and right as I try to take in everything in my sight. On the left side of the town there's a cafe which looks as if it's been out of business for some time, on the right there's what looks like an old, run down corner shop which looks...interesting. I notice a group of girls my age smoking cigarettes by a vandalised wall. This town seems even worse than the one at home. This vision soon vanishes from my mind as I persuade myself that I will enjoy myself here wether I like it or not, and that home isn't the  option anymore. Continuing to look around I get short glimpses of multiple houses much more different than the houses back at home. They seemed much dirtier compared to the ones at home. Curiosity filled me as I pondered which house I would be staying in. Turning left, we came to a small, dirty house with mould growing up the walls. The atmosphere is cold and dry. The bins were filled to the brim and a bag of rubbish had broken and rubbish had spread all over the driveway. There was an old, worn down silver Ford sitting in the driveway. This made a change considering the fact that mum had had her license taken away from her for getting multiple tickets over speeding incidents and other calamities. As the car slowed I knew this was the house. Suddenly I was overwhelmed with fear. I grasped the bottom of the chair, my palms hot and sweaty as we came to a stop.
"We're here!" said Katie. She turned to look at me.
"Oh.. I'm not sure if I should stay here! honestly I will be fine back home!" I pleaded opening the car door. Peering around anxiously I grabbed my luggage.
"You will be fine honestly! And if your not you can always call me on the number I gave you!" said Katie confidently.
"Ok" I said nervously. She didn't understand. I began to bite my nails.
We walked up to the door together, with the taxi driver staying behind to grab the rest of my luggage. I began to breathe heavily and dig my nails hard into my palms. Katie reached out her hand and raised it to the door.
*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*
It took about a minute for an answer. I could hear the stomping of heavy feet come down the stairs, followed by a turn of a handle from the inside of the house.

A man opened the door, looking like he was in his mid/early forties. He looked at me hard in the eyes and said:
"Hello Hannah! Welcome to your new home! I'm James!"
Fuck.

We hope you enjoyed!! stay tuned for chapter 4 <33 ilyyy