Virginia - Age 6

I can't really remember why I had ran away. I wish I could remember, but then I am guilt ridden for feeling regret. Since that day my life has taken me on a massive adventure. I've had some troubles, sure, but I wouldn't change any of it. Sometimes, I just wish I could remember why I felt the need to leave it all behind.

   It was early. The bright light filtered in through the tree tops overhead as I rushed through the green haze. The strong, damp air filled my lungs. My legs and chest burned from running so hard but I didn't stop. They stung so bad that I cried, but I still did not stop. I coughed as I swallowed tiny flies. I felt dizzy and my vision was blurred through tears. I could see the light up ahead - the edge of the forest. There was a lot of colour in the clearing but I couldn't make out anything specific, except for the big tent. I remember thinking about my last trip to the circus. I smiled. That memory distracted me from the obstacles in my way. My foot hit a fallen tree trunk. My ankle twisted as I flew over it. I crashed down hard onto the slimy, humid forest floor, my head spinning nauseatingly. That hit to my head is what made me forget. I only vaguely remember running. Most of my story up until the fall is just supposition. I feel better thinking that I know what happened before.

   I lay there for a few minutes crying until I heard the crackle of dried leaves. I was too terrified to look, still afraid of strangers. I heard a young boy's voice talk to me but I didn't answer. After a moment he scooped me un in his arms and carried me back towards some brightly coloured trailers. He knocked on one of them, calling for his father. At this point I blacked out.

   When I woke up I was lying in a bed in one of the trailers. The boy who had carried me was playing cards with someone by the end of the bed. I recognised his voice immediately. I tried to sit up but the spinning room wouldn't allow me to. The boy put down his cards and came to my side.

   "Are you feeling okay?" His concerned eyes studied my face.

   I felt paralysed. I just stared at him. I had no idea where I was or who he was. I held onto only some idea of who I was. I tried to speak but all that I got out was a groan.

   "My name's Nathaniel. What's yours?"

   I shut my eyes and thought. "E..Emily..".

   "Emily, do you feel alright?"

   "My..head.." I grimaced.

   "You hit it pretty hard when you fell, but you'll be fine."

   "That's…g..good". My eyes fell shut again.

   I ended up staying with them. I couldn't tell them much about my family but they could see that I didn't want to return. I am so lucky to have been taken in. They could have just left me in that field as they moved on to the next town or left me at a police station. I do think about what my life would have been like if I hadn't ran away, but then I think about the life I've lived, and still am living. The two worlds just don't compare. When I joined Grace Circus I changed my name to Virginia West. I had left Emily behind in Charleston.