By the time the sun set, I had made my way into the town centre. My legs were burning and my shoulder ached under the weight of the bag. I wandered vaguely, looking for somewhere to spend the night. An alley looked promising, a dumpster to hide behind but near enough the street that I wouldn’t be trapped if something happened.

Looking around quickly to see if anyone was watching, I ducked into the alley and laid my stuff out on the concrete that would be my bed tonight. I pulled the sleeping bag and an extra hoodie out my bag, glad for the warmth they would provide. I kept the sleeping bag unzipped but pulled it around me to keep in the warmth. Finally, I wrapped my arms around the bag, pressing myself into the corner between the bin and the wall.

Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out the envelope of photos that Cadie had saved for me. The only things of my life that were left. There were only three in the packet but it was two more than when I came to the house. I pulled out the newest addition and stroked my thumb across the glossy surface. Cadie smiled back at me, arm with the camera reached out in front of her, blushing slightly as she took the photo. It was taken in her bed, me by her side, face turned slightly into her neck, nuzzling and teasing her. We both wore big grins and, though my arm was thrown across her chest, pulling the sheet to her shoulders, it was clear we weren’t wearing much else. It was taken 4 months ago, a few weeks before my fifteenth birthday while Jack was away on business. Our first time.

Sighing quietly, I put the photo back in the envelope and tucked it into my pocket.

If I squeezed by eyes shut I could almost imagine I was back at the house, snuggled up with Cadie on that lazy afternoon. If I ignored the coarse material in my arms it was almost like I had her pressed against me, her hair tickling my nose and the rise and fall of her chest lulling me to sleep. I had to stop myself from trying to inhale her scent: several times it broke my little fantasy to breathe in the smell of garbage that hung in the alley. I closed my eyes and pictured her with me, face like an angel as she slept, arms curled around mine, pulling me towards her in her sleep. When I finally drifted off, it was with dreams of her floating through my mind.