Chapter Three

Julia

"Momma, I'm cold." I wrap the blanket even tighter around Nina, but I can still feel her shivering and it's killing me. The blanket is well-used and not very thick, but I found it in a dumpster last week, and even though it is covered in stains, it's still better than nothing. "I know, baby." I need to find her warmer clothes, but it's hard. I know many places don't throw out clothes anymore, they usually end up in charity shops and I can't even afford that.

"Helen, would you mind Nina for a little while? I'm going to go treasure hunting." she gives me her motherly smile as she opens up her arms for Nina to get comfy on her lap. There are a couple of children in our group and, despite the harsh reality of their lives, we try and keep as much as possible away from them, so when one of us is going out to pinch we call it treasure hunting.

"I will be as quick as I can. Nina, you make sure you listen to Helen." she gives me a kiss and nods, then turns away from me as Helen starts telling her a story. I do a quick check to see if anyone needs anything before heading down the alleyway. It's freezing cold and not very dark, but I still have to chance it. I don't want to make Nina wait any longer than she has to.

We lost Trevor two nights ago. He was in his late 60s and a true gentleman. Unfortunately, he had been homeless for over 30 years and this harsh winter was finally too much for him. We woke up in the morning to him dead, and it's broken all of our hearts, but he wouldn't want us mourning his loss, he would want us to carry on and that's what I'm going to do.

Just as I'm coming to the entrance of the alleyway, I get the worst pain in my stomach and dread sets over me. "Fuck!" I know that feeling. I've just got my period, which is fine, but I used the last of my supplies last month, and they are a fucking nightmare to pinch. There's no getting them out of dustbins, so it's always a risk when I go into a shop for them, but what can I do? I have no choice, not unless I don't want to use anything. Unfortunately, it's something that I've had to do several times, but I don't have enough changes of underwear to be able to ruin them too quickly.

I turn up the sidewalk and slump down on a bench outside the local bakery. My stomach rumbles from the smell alone, but I ignore it. I need to get Nina's needs taken care of, and then maybe I can get myself more supplies. Before I get up, I take a moment to look around at all the people around me. Some of them rush around while on their phones, while others are laughing and joking while enjoying some shopping, and others are without a care in the world. What I wouldn't give for that feeling for just a few moments.

Three hours later and I feel like crying. All I've managed to find is a pair of thermal socks and a hat which will help Nina, but it's just not enough. I don't know where else to look, so instead, I decide to head back and give this stuff to her, and then I'll come back out once she's sleeping and try and find more stuff and, hopefully, something for myself, because using tissues isn't a long-term plan for me.

As I cross the sidewalk, I walk past one of the local charity shops and stop in my tracks when I see that the place is full of children's clothes, including coats and boots. How I wish I could get Nina some. I step closer to the window to look some more when I notice that the place appears empty. There are no customers and no one behind the till. Maybe whoever is working is out the back?

"Don't do it, Julia, don't steal from a charity shop." It's something that I've always stood by. How can I steal from people in need when I'm one myself? I go to walk away when I hear Nina's voice in my head crying because she is so cold and, without realizing it, I step inside the shop and walk straight to the children's clothes.

I look around again and still don't see anyone. "Fuck it!" I have to do this for Nina. I quickly grab a coat, jumper, and a pair of boots, then pretty much run for the door. "STOP!" Shit! I come to a sharp stop when I hear a woman's voice and feel my whole body tense up. I'm in trouble here, deep fucking trouble. Fuck!

Riley

I turn the heaters up higher in my car. Just sitting here gets cold and despite telling myself to go home and forget about this madness, I still don't. If I'm not driving around, then I'm sitting here watching and waiting...

It's been three weeks since I last saw her. I've only seen the girl twice, and yet she's been in my head every day since... every fucking night since. I don't understand any of this, and yet I find myself looking around downtown New York for her every night after work.

I meet so many beautiful women daily and get offered whatever I want several times while out at the club, but since the first time that I saw her, when Bruno almost ran her down, none of those other women has been an interest to me. None of them have done anything for me, but still, I don't understand why I'm so interested in seeing her again.

I go between driving around downtown New York and parking up near the crosswalk and Carlos, both places where I have seen her, but I've not seen her near any of those places since. Something tells me that this girl doesn't have much in life. Each time I have seen her she has been untidy and not very clean, and yet her beauty has blown me away both times. I've even had thoughts of her being homeless, but I've pushed those aside. There's no way she's homeless. She's so small and petite that I can't imagine that she could survive on these streets. Fuck I hope she isn't.

"Fuck, this... this is nuts!" I usually work late several times a week to keep on top of everything, but with me spending every night out here, I'm falling behind, so I'm going to cut this bullcrap short tonight and get my ass home and get some paperwork done. I push the button and listen as my car roars to life. I quickly join the madness that is the traffic just as my phone starts ringing in the car, the name flashing across the screen making me smile.

"Hi, Mom."

"Hi, baby boy." Yes, I'm 27 but still, my Mom calls me her baby boy daily.

"Is everything OK, Ma?"

"Yes, baby. I was just wondering if you were anywhere near the shop. Your father has got caught up in a meeting, and he drove me in today, so I have no car. It's no problem if you are not around. I just thought I'd check before I called Roger."

"I'm actually just a few minutes away. I'll come now and help you lock up ."

"Thank you, son. See you soon. Love you."

I love you, Mom, bye."

I end the call and make a sharp left to head towards the shop. My parents are financially stable, and my mom hasn't had to work in years, but she gets bored and doesn't want to live the whole wag lifestyle, so instead, she opened up a charity shop that raises money for soldiers with PDST. It's a cause that is close to my family's hearts, and it keeps her busy.

Fortunately, I find a space right outside and quickly head inside to get out of the cold. This place is constantly full of stock and my mother takes great pride in keeping the place organized and clean.

I can't see my Mom anywhere, which can only mean that she must be out the back. I don't know how many times I've told her not to go out the back when she's on her own here. God knows who could walk in here and steal stuff or worse, but the woman doesn't listen.

"Hey, Mom. What have I sai-" The moment I open the door to the small office, I swear my fucking heart stops. My Mom is sitting in a chair while another girl sits next to her and it's her... it's the girl that I've been looking for. What is she doing here? How? And why the fuck is she crying?