She re-read that a few times, but yet again was not satisfied. Looking at the other crumpled balls of paper she decided to just go with the only recurring theme.

Sorry.

After shoving her failed attempts deep into the garbage bin, she took her completed note and carefully folded it up. She tip toed silently up the stairs for one final time, and pressed open the last door on the left. There Spencer was, fast asleep in her small room. Ashley set the note delicately next to the alarm clock, watching the girls sleeping face. She stared for a moment, her eyes taking in every feature. The way her lips seemed to curve up a little at the edges to make her look like she was smiling, even in her sleep.

“Goodbye.” She whispered as quietly as she could, the feeling of guilt twisting her stomach once again. She hated having to leave like this. For a second she even considered just putting the jewelry back. But she needed this, and in all fairness, she’d been trying to warn Spencer all night.

Ashley took one last look before she left the room, taking care to make sure the door shut silently behind her. Without a second thought she was out the front door, making her way back towards the only home she knew now. It would be a long walk from this part of town, and much of it was through some not so nice areas. She felt the weight of the jewelry in her pocket and worried. If she got robbed she would most definitely be screwed.

“Hey pretty lady, where you going?” A man’s voice called out to her about 20 minutes later. She was just beginning to get into the city.

“Go fuck yourself.” She replied simply, her arms crossing as she quickened her walk.

“Ah come on! Don’t be like that!” He replied, laughing and continuing to cruise along beside her.

She ignored him now, her jaw clenched to the point that her temples were beginning to ache. She was used to this sort of thing, but it didn’t make it any less revolting.

“A quiet girl, eh? My dream come true!” He laughed loudly, his hand reaching out and touching Ashley’s slender arm, “Come on baby, let me give you a ride.”