A fifteen year old Nikita slowly walked home from school. Today was Friday, she hated Fridays. It meant that she had to spend two hold days with her mother and her mother’s new boyfriend. She was in no hurry to get home, because in all probability he was there. The man gave her the creeps, she didn’t know what her mother saw in him. Not only was he fat and ugly, but he was mean, crude and an a drunk.

She got to the apartment building all too soon, she climbed the stairs and stood in front of the door for a second. She thought she heard something. Yes, there it was again. She didn’t know what it was at first, but when she realized what it was she shuddered. He was here, and him and her mother were currently entertaining each other.

“How can she let that man touch her” she thought as she walked to an apartment a few doors down. She knocked on the door and it opened as far as the chain would allow.

“Hi Kay,” she said. “Would you mind if I stayed here for a couple of hours? Mom’s new boyfriend is at our place and you know how I feel about him.”

“Sure.” Kay said and shut the door to take off the chain.

When the door open again Nikita walked in and looked around. She always liked Kay’s apartment. It was decorated in a way that most people in this building wouldn’t understand. There was nothing tacky, or gaudy. It was simple, and elegant, and clean.

Kay was the same way. She didn’t look like she would live in a run down apartment. She looked like one of those woman in a magazine ad or on TV. She didn’t wear a lot of make-up or jewelry, and her close weren’t trashy. and she was the only person that seem to care about her.

But this time there was something different. Boxes were all over the place. and there was a couple suitcases by the door.

“Are you moving out?”

“Yeah, my employer is transferring me somewhere else and I leave tomorrow. Actually I’m glad you came by. I didn’t know when I was going to be able to tell you. I just found out myself yesterday.”

Nikita sank on to the couch, with her book bag next to her. The coffee table was covered in books. On top of the middle pile was a small book bound in burgundy leather bound. It was Jane Eyre, Nikita’s favorite. She picked it up and opened it up to the middle and started reading. It was the Gypsy scene, one of her favorite parts of the book.

Kay went on packing in the background and before either of them knew it, it was eight o’clock. Kay had already cleaned out her kitchen, so they order pizza.

Then they sat up and talked about stuff, like how Nikita’s mother could stand her new boyfriend.

“I mean he’s totally disgusting. And she lets him touch her? I want better for myself.”

“I’m glad. There so much more to life then what you see around here. Things that are so different that you can’t even imagine them.” They continued until Nikita fell asleep on the couch.

When she woke up the next morning, the apartment was empty. There was nothing left, not even the couch she had fallen asleep on! There was just her, her book bag, the pillow and blanket she used and when she looked next to her, she saw the book. She opened it and on the cover page was a message:

Nikita, Remember what we talked about. You're a smart girl, don’t get trapped here. Go live and have a real life. And never settle for anything that not the best for you. Keep the book, it’s a good-bye gift. Good luck in life, Kay

Under that was a note with a key taped to it.

P.S.- the Super doesn’t think that I’m leaving until Sunday night, so stay as long as you want, and return my key for me. Thanks.

P.P.S- Your bookmark is now a twenty, get some breakfast.

Nikita turned to her spot and sure enough there was a twenty dollar bill marking her place. She took the key off the note, traded it for the money, and went to get something to eat. She went home after she ate, she didn’t want to, but she knew she had to. She had just closed the door when her mother came up to her. One hand holding her robe closed. It was obvious that she was naked underneath

“Where have you been!” she screamed. “You were suppose to be here yesterday.”

“At Kay’s and I’m surprised that you got out of bed long enough to know I was gone!”

“Sally, get back in here!” was called out of the bedroom. Nikita rolled her eyes, He was still here.

“Just a minute Tom!”

Tom came out of the room holding a sheet around his waist. Nikita shuddered, that was more of him then she ever wanted to see.

“Ya know,” he said “this would be a lot nicer with out that brat of yours.”

Sally looked between her daughter and Tom then back to Nikita

“Get out.”

“What?!”

“You heard me. Get out and don’t come back” she walked pass Nikita and opened the door, grabbed Nikita’s arm and pushed her out of the apartment, then locked the door.

Nikita stood there for about five minutes before going back to Kay’s.

She walked into the empty apartment and sank to the floor. She couldn’t believe it. Her mother just kick her out because her boyfriend said so. She dumped out her book bag, and pick up the blanket and pillow she used last night, she wouldn’t need her text books any more, but these she would need. She picked up the volume of Jane Eyre, it was the only book that she’d take with her.

“Nikita?” She looked up and saw Birkoff. “Madeline wants to see you.”

As she walked down the hall she wondered why that memory come up now. She also wondered what happened to the book. She had it on her the night she was arrested. If the police still had it maybe she could get it back. She’d asked Madeline.

When she got to Madeline’s office the doors opened but she couldn’t see Madeline. She decided to sit down and wait for her. As she was sitting down she saw something on Madeline’s desk. It was a book, a small book bound in burgundy leather. She picked it up and looked inside. It was her book. Just then doors opened and Madeline walked in with ....Kay.

“Hi Nikita.” she said.

“Kay?” she got up and hugged her. “What are you doing here?”

“Kay just transferred back into the area.”

“You're Section?”

“Always was.”

“As I was saying” Madeline continued. “Kay just transferred back into the area and we are putting her in the apartment across from you. We’re getting it ready now and I was wondering if you could take Kay over there.”

“Of course.” They started to leave, when Madeline said “Nikita, you have the rest of the day off.” Nikita smiled as they left the office. They had a lot to catch up on.

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