Shane fought against her mother pulling against her, willing her to change her mind and take her home.  Momdont…please!  I promise Ill be goodI promise  The tears fell down harder and she finally gave up pulling and just fell to the ground refusing to walk all together.  She knew why her mother was giving her awayit was because of Uncle BillI promisepleaseI didnt want to play

The older womans heart ached for the pain she was causing her oldest child.  Still the state had already taken away her son right after he was born because of her drug addict status and after the incident she knew that she would lose Shane as well.  She silently cursed herself for needing a fix so badly that she left her young daughter with her beast of a brother.  No babyits not your faultMommy needs to take care of a few thingsand than she will come back for you.  I promise.  She gently bent down and scooped the malnourished girl up in her own skinny arms.  She kissed her lightly on her eyes and nuzzled their noses together.  Please dont make this harder on me Shane  She felt her own tears falling as she carried her daughter up the steps to the ominous building. 

Shane gripped her mother tighter holding on to her for dear life.  She wept into her mothers hair memorizing the soft vanilla scent of it.  She fought against the strong arms pulling her away from her sanctity.  Ignoring the warm voice of the woman ripping her from her mothers arm and pulling her in to another room.  No She sobbed uncontrollably. 

Her mothers tears fell down her face and she quickly turned to leave, not wanting to see the pain she was causing.  She stopped at the bottom of the steps and looked back at the old building, never realizing that she wouldnt see its cracked surfaces or her broken hearted daughter again.  Whispering to the wind the womans husky voice managed to choke out her apologies.  Im so sorry baby girlIm sorry I wasnt strong enough for youIm sorry I didnt protect youIm sorry that Im hurting you

Alice fell to the floor and cradled the thrashing and weeping body still deep in her sleep.  She smoothed her hair down and whispered reassuring words against her ear while rocking her.  ShhhShane honey wake upyoure okay hereplease baby wake up