Angel in the Snow

Angelic snowflakes danced a graceful waltz with the gentle breeze. They looked like fallen stars against the black sky. The cold, moist air left a blanket of frost in anticipation of the snow that would receive squeals of delight from young children the next day. The street lights shone on either side adding light to the magical picture. People young and old were safely tucked in the warmth of their quilts. Oblivious to the setting outside. Oblivious to those who have no home. Oblivious to the young girl no older than 17 shivering in a dank ally. She hates the snow. Hates the pain it brings her year after miserable year. Hates the ache in her stomach as she reminisces on Christmas dinners. She can’t remember the last time she had a proper meal. How do I know? That girl is me.

My rags do little to protect me from the daggers in the wind. I pull my legs up to my chest in the hope it will provide me with some warmth. It’s a useless attempt but it’s all I can manage. I break the deafening silence with dry sobs. My teeth clatter against each other in a surprisingly comforting way. I close my eyes and try to think back to my warm bed; the image is so hazy that I question its very existence. Sleep is no longer an option. I know to stay where I cower will mean death but the snow has frozen my bones. Death sounds like a blessing in comparison to the pain I’m in. a sudden glare of light momentarily blinds me. Covering my eyes with my hands I try to find the source of this unwelcome discomfort.

“Found another one Nick!” called a strange voice. My eyebrows pulled together in confusion. The light seemed to dim and I was gradually able to make out two male figures. One knelt in front of me with genuine concern written across his face.

“Can you hear me love?” he asked. His voice sounded magical and to my utter embarrassment I was left gaping. All I could do was nod.

“What’s your name, love?” he asked. Shock struck me as I realised I’d forgotten my own name. I desperately scanned my memories trying to find it. A memory of a man I was assuming to be my dad provided me with one. I wondered if it was real.

“Angel” I whispered, my throat painfully dry. Smiling down at me, I realised this stranger was breathtakingly beautiful. Standing up, he held out his hand. It tried to take it but found I couldn’t move. Fear took place. Once again he looked concerned.

“I can’t move” I sobbed. He turned to the second man and nodded. 

“It’s ok love Mark and I will help you” he promised. The next thing I knew, I was being lifted by both of them.

“Can you walk or should we carry you?” the one called Mark asked.

“I can’t walk, I feel heavy” I admitted. 

　　　　Being in their arms I felt safe for the first time in years.

“We’re just heading to our van” Mark explained as my eyes darted left and right.

“Where are we going?” I asked, barely more than a whisper.

“There’s a shelter for homeless people 20 minutes away. We’ll get you some clothes and food soon” Mark promised. A sudden wave of warmth swept through me and I was shocked to discover it was from something I’d believed to be extinct. A blanket! My head instinctively turned to see Nick withdrawing his hand from it.

“Thank you” I smiled for the first time in a while.

“That’s ok love” Nick replied, turning to look out his window. My eyes slowly rode over his body. For the second time that night, I smiled. He was extremely handsome and didn’t appear to be that old.

“How old are you?” I wondered aloud. Blushing I buried my head in my legs.

“Mark’s 32 and I’m 21” Nick replied.

“Oh. I thought you’d be older than 21”

Nick laughed. It was a warm laugh that melted the frost off my prematurely aged bones.

“How old are you Angel?” Mark asked, turning his attention to me.          

“17 I think. I don’t actually remember much about my life” I told them. They shared a look I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

“How long have you been on the streets?” Nick quizzed.

“Years” was all I could say. To be honest it seemed like my whole life was on the streets. The rest of the ride was silent. I felt my eyelids fight to stay open. Sleep would normally have been a miracle, but just then it was a curse. I didn’t want to take my eyes off of Nick for a second. Sleep must’ve won the battle because the next thing I knew I was back outside, safe in Nick’s arms. I snuggled deeper, breathing in his scent. Letting my eyes close I was once again in a deep sleep.

Warmth! That was the first thing I noticed when I awoke much later. Next was the mouth-watering odour that tickled my nostrils with invisible fingers. Pushing myself up with my elbows, I searched the unknown for Nick and Mark. I beamed as I saw Mark heading my way.

“Look who’s finally awake” he grinned

“What’s that smell?” I asked, inhaling deeply.

“Beef and vegetable stew,” Mark replied “Do you want some?”

All I could do was nod enthusiastically. I wondered if I’d died and gone to heaven. Five minutes later the scolding food floated down my throat. I closed my eyes in ecstasy. To my disappointment I had already finished the bowl. I was ravenous and desperate for more. Looking around the room, my heart sank. No-body was leaving so much as a drop. Mark must have heard my stomach screaming in agony as he left to rapidly return with another steaming bowl. In a flash the food was shovelled into my mouth. It was then I noticed Nick wasn’t around.

“Where’s Nick?” I asked after I’d swallowed every morsel of stew.

“He’s gone back out with John to see if they can save anyone else. Nick never rests especially near Christmas” Mark explained.

“Why?” I asked. I couldn’t believe someone as young as him would go to this much trouble for someone with no future. Unless. No it couldn’t be! I looked at Mark, waiting for the guillotine to drop.

“I’m not the one who’s going to tell you. That’s up to Nick” Mark replied, scowling down at me. I could feel the anger scorching my skin. I stepped back, feeling afraid for the first time that night.  I didn’t like this new side to Mark. Didn’t like the fire burning dangerously in his hazel eyes. 

“You shouldn’t ask personal questions Angel, it’s not polite. We’ve helped you. Don’t you trust us? We’d never do anything to hurt you” he vowed in a way I knew to be false. I may have been on the streets most of my short life but I could tell I’d been fooled. Fear began to escalate inside, sending shivers down my fragile spine. It felt like my weak frame would splinter into a million pieces from the overpowering fear inside of me. 

“You liar!” I shouted, finding courage from somewhere deep inside my withering body. 

The flame in his eyes ignited once more. He raised his hand above his head. I could see his veins bulging in his forehead. It seemed to quiver with both fear and anger felt by both me and Mark. I took an instinctive step backwards. It was then I felt ice press firmly against my throat. A gasp of shock, if you could call it that, escaped my cracked lips. 

“Hold still and you won’t feel a thing” a rough voice promised demonically to my left. He must have said it quite loud as it was very clear in my wax filled ear. 

“Please!” I begged, tears finally breaking from their prison to slither down the canyons on my face. A vile laugh bounced off the cowering walls. My eyes darted left and right trying to see if anyone would help me but they were all fast asleep. Oblivious to the setting in here. Oblivious to the two grown men, one possessing a knife. Oblivious to the 17 year old girl at the receiving end of the bloodthirsty blade.  I whimpered as I realised I was on my own to deal with them both. I tried to beg for mercy but the words were cut short. I screamed at the burning sensation as blade sliced flesh. I could feel something warm ooze down my neck and heard it drip to the floor that seemed miles away. My blood! I realised with a gasp. I clutched the open wound and felt my knees buckle to the floor. My mouth opened and closed but no sound came out. No air was being brought into my dying lungs. As the world became hazy, I managed to see my two killers. Mark and Nick! With one last sob I fell to never breathe again.

THIS WAS WRITTEN IN 2012 WHEN I WAS 17. I HAVE NOT EDITED THIS YET AND WOULD APPRECIATE ANY FEEDBACK. THANK YOU!