The gentle rhythm of her crutches hitting the floor with every step she took was easily drowned out by the hustle and bustle of a busy hospital- even in the evening.

Grace had made sure she would be leaving the ward- which seemingly had her name reserved constantly on a bed- at the moment in which the least amount of people would be roaming the corridors.

After staying a week every couple of months for one reason or another since the age of eight, the habitual time table of the hospital, its patients, workers and visiting guests had been branded into her mind.

The less people there were in the corridors meant less people bumping into her, because if someone did it would be highly likely she would be back in the ward she had yet again just managed to escape from.

"Hi Carrie." Grace chimed, sitting down for a rest at the reception desk before she attempted the walk back to her flat.

"Hey Grace- I didn't know you were in today? What happened?"

Carrie had always been a friendly face in what first seemed like a horrible place.

"I collapsed at the shopping centre. The person who called the ambulance couldn't feel my pulse- he dislocated three of my ribs thinking it needed restarting." Grace shrugged. "I'm fine now though so everything is OK."

Carrie shook her head displeasingly.

"I always admire your strength, but i really hate seeing you in here so often."

"I have to live Carrie- would you rather me stay locked in my flat all day?" Grace sighed. Sometimes staying in her flat all day was the only option. Some days even finding the strength to get out of bed was hard enough.

Carrie chucked. "Yes, and while you're at it, pad all the sharp corners and the floor- I'm sure the doctors and nurses would appreciate that."

She smiled back ruefully "yes I'm sure they would, but I would go insane."

They both laughed. Carrie had known her for over ten years- long enough for them to both realise just how crazy Grace actually was.

Looking around Grace finally steeled herself into walking home.

"Are you sure I can't call you a cab, it's getting dark out and I don't like the idea of you walking home alone? You never know what sort of creatures are lurking around in the dark." Carrie asked, her motherly side coming out.

Grace smiled reassuringly, her heart warming at Carries words. Although Carrie was only ten years older than her, she had been the only constant in her life since the freak accident that claimed her parent's life.

"The walk will be nice after a week on the ward. Plus the whole reason i bought the place was because of how close it was to the hospital." She stood up slowly, her heart beginning to thud at the effort.

"I hope I don't see you soon missy!" Carrie said, chuckling at her own joke.

"Right back at you." Grace slipped her arms through her smart crutches and began the short- but mammoth- hobble to her home.

She was relieved to see that the streets were clear of people as she made her way across the road and through the winding streets, her only company the flickering yellow lights of the street lamps.

First on her agenda once she got home was a nice relaxing bubble bath. Then sleep. A lot of sleep.

The tinkle of an empty beer can rolling along the floor brought her back to the present. She watched as it rolled out of one of the side streets up ahead.

Her heat began to race as she neared the street. Her anxiety playing with her mind.

She scolded herself as scenarios of what could possibly- and impossibly- happen to her if she walked past the side street began playing through her mind.

Someone could be in there, waiting for the next person to walk past. That happened right? Random acts of violence. Maybe they had a knife? Maybe it was a gang? Or a drugged up person delirious of their actions as they strangled they life out of her.

The sound of rustling had started in the shadows before a cat shot out and scarpered across the road and over a wall.

Grace glanced down at the heart monitor strapped to her wrist. 156 beats per minute.

A cat. She almost made herself pass out for a cat. She really hated her anxiety sometimes. The hundreds of vivid situations she would picture herself in sent her heart rate sky high.

She leaned against the wall until her heart rate dropped a little. A bubble bath really would feel great right about now.

Grace restarted her journey once she was confident she wouldn't end up a heap on the pavement.

Ignoring that side street completely she wobbled on her sticks as she tried to avoid the empty beer can and other rubbish strewn across the entrance way.

A hand shot out from the darkness, grabbing her hair. A scream tore through her throat as another hand clamped her mouth shut.

Crutches forgotten she punched and kicked, feeling her joints popping out of place as they made contact with her attacker.

But he wall taller, stronger than her. Adrenaline surged through her body as her head was slammed into a wall- her vision blurring as hands began to wander.

"Please- no!" She croaked out, her body slumping against the wall as her legs struggled to hold her up.

He laughed darkly, his breath reeking of alcohol.

Fear settled into her bones as she began to black out. She was helpless. She was scared. She was broken.

A feral snarl rippled down the street. The man who had now pressed himself against her disappearing.

She thought she heard a scream- and then a thud. Did that mean someone had come to save her?

With nothing there to hold her up, Grace slumped to the ground.

Warmth enveloped her- was this it? Was this the end? She had wished for the end many years ago, an end to her pain. Her eyes fluttered open as a shock flew through her body.

Brown eyes. Such beautiful brown eyes.

Another wave of Darkness crashed over her, giving her the rest she truly craved.

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Please vote and comment to tell me what you think- i am all for constructive critisism but please be don't be mean! If you are interested in the topic of disabilities, mental and physical, being more represented in literature, head over to the #visible Campaign official-visible