• Watching the leaves blow in the wind, Raven sat on the cold street with her feet in the gutter. Her torn baggy pants blowing with the strong gusts that threatened to blow her over. The worn shirt she was wearing allowed the cool night air to touch her pale skin, the many holes exposing her under shirt and bare skin. Her mess of black hair was short and blew into her face as she gazed into the distance, her pale skin shining in the soft glow of moonlight. In her right hand she held a small golden locket that had been crushed and couldn’t be opened, while in her left was a blue lighter, the tiny flame flickering in the wind.
    There were few others that wandered the streets on this particular night, their voices unfamiliar to her sensitive ears while they drifted on the breezes. Any who strolled past her would give her a look of pure hate and disgust. People in the town which she lived had no space in their hearts to care about small girls on the street. Standing on shaking legs she pocketed the two items and began to move toward the alley close to her right where a large cardboard box was filled with newspaper. This was a spot she had chosen earlier in the day and the box would serve as her bedding for the night. Crawling into it she draped several sheets of the paper over her small shivering body. It was soon warm under her paper blanket and she drifted into a dreamless sleep, her mind hoping that it wouldn’t rain during the night.
    Rising before dawn she stood and stretched working her stiff limbs out of sleep mode. The slightest tinge of orange filled the sky as she walked out of the alley and around the corner. There were people about, but it was too early to recognise any of them. A few weeks ago Raven had met a boy her own age, and they soon became friends. He lived with his wealthy father in a large house by the lake. His flame coloured hair was easy enough to spot when the sun was shinning, but before it was light his hair was as dark as hers. Her green eyes darted about as she tried to spot him. She went from one side of town to the other searching but she couldn’t locate him. Finally she had to look where she least wanted, she would have to go to his house. She was not welcome at most houses throughout the city and had been kicked off many doorsteps. His house was different. The tall brick walls were overgrown with vines and the windows had newspaper taped on the inside. The iron gate which led into the garden was jammed and wouldn’t open. But going into he garden was a waste of time as it was over run with thorned bushes and poisonous leaved plants. Walking up the path to the front door, Raven held her breath. She could only hope that he would answer instead of the house maid. At the door she regained her composure and drew up the courage to knock. She heard quick footsteps descending the flight of stairs and rush along the wooden floor to the door. Opening it, a young boy stepped forward into the ever growing daylight. His red hair was slightly wet and spiked from just being towel dried. His chest was bare and a plain shirt was in his hands. His dark blue shorts stopped just below his knees and a pair of grey socks covered down to his feet. He was wearing his school shoes. His blue eyes scanned Ravens form as the everlasting smile on his face grew.
    “Raven…I wasn’t expecting you, I was just getting ready for school. What are you doing here, if my father saw you he‘d kill us both. But please, please come in,” he stepped out of the door frame and beckoned her indoors.
    “Hail?” his name was a question. “Where are you going?”
    “Me? Well I’m going to school. Its Monday today,” his grin was faltering as he tried to explain what was going on.
    “School? Can I come? I have nothing to do,” Raven asked with pleading eyes. She had always wanted to go to school but only because she had never been before. “Please may I come Hail?”
    Hails face was unreadable as he thought about what his friend had said to him. If he said yes, he would have to find his sisters old uniform and make Raven have a scrub. But if he said no, he would break her fragile heart, for he knew how much she wanted to go with him.
    At last he said “Ok you can come. But you have to wear a uniform,” he saw her face repulse at the thought of wearing a skirt and stockings, “and you need to have a shower. You wont be allowed to go if your not clean”. his face gave her a warm smile of encouragement as he directed her up the stairs to the bathroom. He turned the shower on and told her not to come out until she was squeaky clean. Turning and closing the door behind him, he went in search of his sisters uniform. Pulling an old dusty box from under her bed her found the skirt and a slightly ripped shirt that could serve as a good jersey. He was unsure of her size so her just grabbed whatever clothes he thought would fit her. Carrying his burden of clothing he made his way back to the bathroom.
    Raven stripped down to nothing and stepped under the warm water. As it rushed over her small frame she felt the dirt wash away. Grabbing a bottle of shampoo she squeezed the contents into her delicate hand and began lathering her hair with it. When her hair was wet it was a good inch and a half longer, meaning it just brushed her shoulders. As soon as she was clean she shut off the stream of hot water and stepped out into the fogged bathroom. As she reached for a thick towel the door opened and Hail entered with a pile of clothing held closely to his chest. They both stood still for a moment before they began blushing furiously. quickly snatching the towel from the counter Raven wrapped it around her dripping body as Hail tried to turn to get out of the room. Backing into the door he turned to open it then remembered that his hands still held her new clothes. Without turning he placed them on the counter top and fumbled for the door handle. Halfway out he heard Raven speak.
    “T-thank you. For all of this. The clothes, the shower, letting me come to school with you. Its just all really kind of you.” she was looking at the floor, her face almost scarlet. Turning around he said “hey, what are friends for?” but he couldn’t help but look at her, wrapped in the towel. Clearing his throat he left her to get dressed. Raven pulled on the different items of clothing he had left and went through her own pant pockets for her two most prized possessions. Slipping her chain of the locket over her head, and putting the lighter in the shirt pocket, she opened the door and stepped into the dark hall. Sitting on the top step was Hail, all ready for school. When her saw her he couldn’t help laughing. The shirt sleeves went well past her fingertips and the skirt was halfway down her shins. He had forgotten how tall his sister was, and how short Raven was. Taking her trembling hand he lead her into the kitchen and took the sharpest knife from the rack. He told her to stand with her arms up and then took the knife to the over sized clothing. Cutting the shirt to make it a t-shirt type top and shortened the skirt so it was above her knees. His face lit up as he stood back to look at his handy work. Raven walked around with new found freedom, the clothing allowed her to move easier. Her fashion parade was suddenly cut short when she heard heavy footfalls on the stairs. Hails dad was up and getting ready for work. Putting a finger to his lips, Hail got Raven to crouch behind the kitchen island. The spare fabric from the uniform was still on the counter top and he grabbed it and threw it in her general direction. She caught them and stuffed them under her shirt. Floorboards creaked as Hails father steeped into the kitchen. “Morning Father. Did you sleep well?” the look on the adults face showed that he had not had a pleasant night, the dark rings around his eyes standing out on the light tanned color of his face. His only reply was an unsatisfied grunt as he walked across the kitchen to the coffee machine. Using subtle hand signals Hail was able to direct Raven around the island toward the door. “I was about to leave for school. Shall I see you this afternoon or will you be working late?” for the first time Raven looked away from his hands at his face, which had lost the normal happiness. The grin was replaced with a slight frown,only the corners of his mouth turned down. His eyes had not lost their sparkle but she doubted they ever did. She now realized the tension between father and son and it wasn’t just because she was hiding between them. Hails hands made a sudden flick and she crawled out of the door. “I will not be here when you return from school. But I still expect to see your homework on the table for my inspection,” the older man walked back around the island to the door. Raven could see his silhouette in the doorway from her hiding place under the staircase. He stopped and picked an item off the floor. To Raven and Hails horror it was a piece of skirt that had fallen from under her shirt. Holding it up to the light, he examined the fabric.
    “Isn’t this your sisters? What have you done now?” his booming voice filling with anger.

    TO BE CONTINUED...