I've always loved being in the passenger seat of a car. When I was younger and the moon was full, I always believed it was following behind and that made me feel safe, like it was a blanket of protection when I felt most vulnerable. I was used to long car journeys. Being in foster care meant I was driven all over the place when one family didn't want me anymore. It happened a lot. But I didn't mind because I'd always have the car journey to look forward to. I stared out of the window and saw the glimmering lights of the city. The lights reminded me of Christmas in Yorkshire with my cousins, it's the only thing I can reminisce about that makes me happy, it was the last time my family really wanted me. Something about me changed that Christmas and that's when my life took a unsteady tumble that it just couldn't recover from.
Then we drive through a part of town that people try to forget exists, I see women on the pavement makimg unsavoury deals with men twice their age and my memories turn to my mother. This is where the car stops. 'Here we are, Em. Try and stay here for more than a month this time.' I hesitated for a moment then reluctantly forced myself to get out of the car. It was dark and all I heard were vicious dogs growling and what sounded like a group of men following and taunting some poor girls. I gazed up at the empty sky, smog covered the stars I was so used to seeing and suddenly my vulnerability was back but the moon no longer in sight.
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