1. Past

Past

GAbrIELLA

The streets at night are eerie, but it’s not like I have a choice. Every passing car makes the dim lighting from the street lamps seem far too dim by comparison. I duck my head against the rain as it begins to fall in heavier sheets. “Of all the nights to try this, I just had to pick the one night it decides to rain.” My growl is snatched away by the howling of the wind as the storm increases. I know I have to find shelter soon or I’m going to end up spending the next week with a cold.

Ducking down an alley, I bring my hand up to the wall, feeling more than looking for a dry patch. Finally, I locate a spot, just behind a huge dumpster with the worst smell wafting out from it. With a sigh I sink to my knees and squeeze myself in behind the offensive item. The open lid leans against the wall creating a barrier against the down pour, while also preventing anyone from seeing me huddled here. I’m not sure how much time passes but eventually I drift off into a fitful sleep that is plagued with nightmares.

I’m jolted awake by the feel of something skittering across my bare foot. I learned a long time ago not to scream or make a sound, so the only reaction I have is to brush my hand across my foot, rubbing the already raw skin.

At some point while I slept, the storm had passed, leaving in its wake a feeling of renewed life. It gives me hope that today might just be better than yesterday.

My hopes are dashed the second I leave the alley and walk head first into a policeman. Without a word he grabs my too-thin arm and begins marching me towards a squad car. “Found another one.” Is all he says as he pushes my head down and then practically shoves me into the car.

I sit up in bed, my heart pounding out a rhythm that matches the thunderous rain that’s pouring down outside my window. I hate when my dreams turn out to be replayed memories. As if messed up dreams aren’t bad enough, I have to live through some of the worst moments in my life over and over and over again.

Not that this particular dream was a good example of the worst parts of my life, but the events after it are enough to make me shudder in dread. I spent the following seven years bouncing from foster home to foster home, every second of which was scarier than even the darkest of nights spent in those dirty alleyways.

It’s all in the past though, because I was finally adopted by a wonderful woman who I call Aunt April. She’s the best. Despite my only being seventeen, she treats me like an adult, takes me to clubs on her nights off and even lets me sneak the occasional drink on special occasions. Last night being one of those.

We celebrated late into the night because not only did she finally quit her job at the run-down diner, but she also managed to score a gig at the school I’m going to be attending. Her job comes with a nice little bonus, a cute cottage on campus. Not that the school was my choice, it was court appointed after the last time I got into trouble, but I’m not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. The judge paid for a whole year’s worth of tuition.

Lucky me.