She crouched under the bridge, cold and hungry and scared.
The only bag she’d been able to find was the Pan Am carryon her real dad had brought her as a souvenier, blue and white with a globe. She looked around her bedroom and thought of what she most cared about that would still fit into the bag. The signed Harry Potter book was probably worth money, but it was huge. Her ballerina jewlery box was way too big. Stuffed animals? No. Her journal? Would she ever want to read about that stuff again?
Her stomach growled as she shivered.
Great stuff, Joshua. The “real dad” is clever
Two words to tell an entire story! Thanks
Suggests the stepdad is the cause of her problems. A tough road ahead for her, and not many come out the other side better off.
I hope she survives. The ‘real dad, definitely tells the story!
I think a lot of us thought homeless… but it’s because it is such a prevalent problem.
Stark and a bit desperate. I’d like to hope for the best, but the picture and the words are not promising. Were you going for the bleak aspect or am I reading into things too much?
No you’re correct. Day one of a long slide
A story unsaid and a lot understated. Loved this Hardy.
Dear Josh,
A bleak story that goes straight for the jugular. Subtle and impacting at the same time.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks
Sometimes running away is the only option (at least it’s what you are led to believe)… stepdads come in the worst of flavors.
Not what she planned, I guess. And I too suspect “real dad” is to blame.
I had in mind more of her stepdad. Thanks for reading
Is she running away from home, may be place she disliked, a place where she had bad memory of? God save her from bad people who exploit children found helpless.
I’m not seeing a bright future here at all. Very moving.
We’ll never know what let to her sorry situation and I’m not sure I want to. A poignant piece indeed.
Click to read my FriFic tale!
Very well told piece, revealing more and more, bit by bit. Running away is just the start for her, poor girl
The poor dear, what she contemplates stuffing in her bag give away her young age. A dreadful road ahead I fear. Well written tale.
She sounds way too young to be able to survive out there… which means that what he had at home was worse..
So I wonder what she did put in the bag? Not food it would seem. Day one and things are not looking good. Nicely written.
Running away from home as a child is a terrible situation. The diary would have been her saviour, if only she knew. This a story that regurgitates so much i so few words.
You told us a whole lot with “real dad.” Well done.
Full of intrigue. Great piece with so much packed in.
Poor girl, I love this, especially the title “Day 1” she got out just at the right time and she seems strong so good luck to her