Rachel pressed her face against the cold window as the bus finally began to move.Goodbye, misery, she thought, hello new life.She was sitting all the way in the back of the bus, too afraid to sit near the front,which seemed to be occupied by an interesting mix of the unwashed…she could still smell them all the way in the back.

Anyway,it was safer back here where no one would remember her.It was only a few more hours,and then she’d be able to forget everything that happened and everything her family was and start over.Maybe, in time,she’d find a new family.A better one.

They made what seemed like the hundredth stop. It was the usual group of druggies and the like;pathetic people who’d given up on life.Except…towards the back there was this…guy.He looked to be about her age, and he didn’t look quite as disgusting as the rest.Actually, she thought to herself,he’s kind of cute, in a scruffy way.He stepped on the bus and looked for a seat.

And she held her breath as he walked towards her.