.::Chapter One::.

"Oh, you're visiting us again? What for this time? You must really like it here," the officer snickered,"Sit down, stay awhile." "F*** you man! I'll be outta here in an hour!" I kept my mouth shut while I listened to them shout. "You should really start thinking about your girly friend over here. Got a police record almost as bad as yours," the officer continued his high pitched laugh as he shoved me into a cell. I collapsed onto the wooden bench and leaned my head against the cold concrete wall. My boyfriend, Nick, sat the same way in the cell next to mine. Through the black wrought iron bars, I could see the officer still taunting him. Handcuffs bound our hands behind our backs and we were froced into an almost helpless stage. Minutes went by..then hours. A day seemed to have passed before the older officer, Officer Sherman, who was in his seventies walked over and opened my door. "Oh Sidney, back again? What happened this time?" he asked with a voice that held no anger. "We don't need nice girls like you in a police station at this late hour of the night, " he said as he took the handcuffs from my wrists. I didn't even have to answer him because I knew he trusted me enough to let me free from my cage. Nick, on the other hand, remained behind bars. I sat in a chair in front of his desk and watched him shuffle a few papers around. I quickly glanced at my surroundings. The Miami boardwalk police station was more than familiar sight to me. Almost like home I thought to myself. I had gotten introuble with the police so much that I knew all their names and they knew mine.

"Excuse me sir, I was asked to come in to indentify some kids that were arrested. Would you be Officer Sherman?" I looked up to see a woman at the front desk. She had long blond hair, much like my own, that covered her whole back. A small boy peered over her shoulder, wide eyed and staring around at the busy precinct. "Yes I am Officer Sherman. And you must be Diana...Diana Hanson," he said with a warm smile. He called to Officer Stevens, the man who had brought Nick and I in. He and the woman shook hands. "We're presuming that she is the girl you caught breaking and entering the house and the other delinquent is over there, "Officer Stevens directed his accusing finger to me and then to Nick's cell. She looked at us for a moment and then nodded her head. "There were a few more kids with them but they were the ones I got a good look at," she said. "Ok, thanyou for your help ma'am. You'll be seeing these two at your neighbor's house for the next couple days, cleaning up the mess they made. This type of crime usually has a larger penalty but since the owners of the house are out of town, pressing charges can't be established until the damage that was done can be examined. For now, could you do us a favor and make sure they come to clean the grafitti from the exterior of the house?" he asked. "Of course and I'll be sure to notify the owners of the house of what has happened," she said. I scowled. Who she was didn't matter because I had already made up my mind to hate this woman. The adults parted and soon afterward Nick was released from bondage. "You two wait here. I'm going to get something and I'll be back in a second to escort you home," Officer Stevens told us sternly and then left. Nick muttered the words 'stupid ass' and gave his back the finger. He then turned around to make sure the area was cleared of anyone in authority, the woman too. With the flick of his wrist, Nick's handcuffs glided off. He threw them on the floor and grabbed my arm, "Come on." He nearly dragged me to the main entrance pushed me out the door ahead of him. "Hurry up! Let's move!" he yelled at me as he pulled me along the sidewalk. It was one of many arrests but this was the first time we had ever tried to escape; and we succeeded out of the pure ignorance of those in control.

"Pick up the pace you slut. I don't have all day," Nick commanded me. We were entering the bad part of the city now, nearing his Mom's apartment. Through the trash-filled parking lot, across the dead and yellow grass, up the poorly lit steps, and into the dingy apartment. "Oh, sweetie! I was so worried about you! You know I don't like it when you stay out this late!" Ms. McCalvey screeched excitedly. She clicked noisely over to us in her four inch high heels. She grabbed Nick's face and forced a wet kiss on his cheek, leaving a thick red outline of her lips behind. He angrily slapped at her hand, "Get out of here. Go back to your corner, skank." I looked at her. She really was a prostitute, dressed and ready to go into the heart of the city. They lived together in the tiny apartment, son having more control over mother. Ms McCalvey did as she was told and hurried out the door. We stood in silence for a moment before Nick said what he did. "Sit down," he pionted to the couch. I sat and nervously watched him draw closer to me. He put his hands on the couch backing to support him and then leaned forward into my face. I winced at horrible smoky smell of his hot sticky breath. He grinned at me in an odd, yet scary way, that made me even more afraid. "Take off your shirt," he said. I shook my head. "NOW!" he yelled. I refused again and shook my head. He grabbed my shoulders as if he were going to hurt me but then suddenly let go. Nick took a step back and eerily smiled. "Ok, I see you're going to be stubborn. I'm going to take a shower and you'de better be over your stubborness by the time I get done. And just to make sure you don't think of leaving, I'm locking the door. Sit tight, Sidney," he said and took the key from the front door. Then he walked into the bathroom, happily humming. Nick wanted sex, and I was supposed to be here to give it to him. I had in the past but I wanted things to change now. My eyes darted around the room. The door was locked...but the windows weren't. Once I heard the water start to run in the bathroom, I slid the nearest one open and scrambled out. I took a small tumble but managed to stay on my feet. After surveying my surroundings, I began to run in the direction of the highway. I ran as fast as I could but ran to the stupidest place possible. I scolded myself when I realized where I was: back at the very same house Nick and I had broken into earlier that night. Breathing heavily, I dropped onto the hard stone steps. I would have reconsidered relocating myself to another place but my weariness decided against it. Where I slept made no difference as long as I did. So I laid my head down and shut my eyes.

[Chapter Two]