Running... that's what I've been doing for the past couple of hours. I ignore all the aching of every muscles in my body. I'm worried that if I stop even just for a second, those people would come and find me. I refuse to let them catch me, I DON'T wanna go back to that hell hole.

I lean my back against a tree, trying to regain my strength. I breathe heavily as I stare at the sky. For the first time in years, I finally get to feel what it's like to be outside. To have a sense of freedom.

I hear a crunching sound. I quickly pull away from the tree and start running once again, despite still out of breath. They're not getting me back. I'll make sure of it.

In the distance, I can make out a faint light. A house, finally! I pick up my pace and rush there. I rush up the front porch and start knocking.

"Someone... anyone! Help me... please! I need help!" I yelled out, still knocking on the door desperately in need for help. The door swung open to reveal a woman. I fall forward, because she opens the door suddenly. I let out a wince when I land on my knees.

"Oh dear. Are you okay, honey?" The woman said. She kneels down in front of me. I look up and stare at her with pleading eyes. "Help me... please. B-Bad people. T-They're trying to c-catch me" I said. "Oh dear... come on. Come inside" she said. She help me to stand up and gently guide me inside.

She gently guide me to a couch and helps me to sit down. She grabs a blanket and wraps it around me, after noticing how bad I'm shivering from the cold. She walks off for a bit. Then comes back holding a cup of steaming hot chocolate. The scent makes my mouth water.

She hands the cup to me. I gently take it from her. She kneels down in front of me. "My name is M/N L/N. You can call me Mrs. L/N. What about you, hm?What's your name, sweetie?" She asked. "Name...?" I said, looking at her with a confused expression.

She furrows her eyebrows. She nods her head. "Yes, sweetie. Your name? Do you not remember your name?" She said. I shake my head. I have a name... but I don't wanna be called that.

"Hmm... how about I give you one?" She suggested. I just nod my head, eager to have a real name. Not the stupid one those people gave me. She smiles softly at me.

"How about I call you, Y/N? Hmm?" She said. "Y/N. Yes, please... it's beautiful" I said, nodding my head happily. She smiles and gently caress my head. I just give her a small smile in return.

"How old are you, Y/N?" She asked. "Um... I'm around 10 years old. I'm not entirely sure..." I said. She frowns at my words. "Okay, let's just say you're 10, okay?" She said. I just nod my head. She smiles at me.

"What exactly happened?" She asked. I look down as tears streams down my cheeks. "Those bad people... t-they're horrible. T-They would a-asked me to d-do bad stuff. If I refuse... t-they would t-torture me..." I said, with a shaky voice.

"Oh dear... you're so young. You didn't deserve any of this" she said, caressing my head softly. I just give her a weak gaze. "Will you help me?" I asked. She nods her head. "Of course, honey. Even better! I'll give you a shelter. You're free to stay here in this house with me. I'm going to be your family" she said. "F-Family?" I said. She nods her head.

"Yes. Do you want that? I've always wanted to have a daughter..." she said. I nod my head happily. "Yes... I'd like that. I'd like that very much..." I said, tearing up a little. The thought of having a family is all I've ever wanted. She smiles and wraps her arms around me. I hugs her back.

***

She ended up giving me a make over. She make sure I look different from what I used to look like. By the time she's done, I look like a totally different person. All that's left to do is to legally adopt me. Which will be done the next day. After that, I'll officially become her adopted daughter.

I'm sitting next to Mrs. L/N. In front of us is a man, he work for the adoption service. Now he's having Mrs. L/N sign up some papers. I just sit next to her in silence, as I watch her do signing.

She push the paper to the man in front of us. I watch as he reads through the paper and turn to look at Mrs. L/N. A smile appear on his face.

"Congratulation, Mrs. L/N. She's all yours" he said. Mrs. L/N lets out a happy laugh as she turns to me. She wraps her arms around me, hugging me tightly. I smile happily and returns her hug.

"You hear that, sweetie? I'm your mother now. From now on, you have to call me 'mom,' okay? Now try it... say mom" She said. I pull away and looks at her. She looks at me with a wide grin, eagerly waiting for me to say the word 'mom.'

"Mom..." I said, smiling at her. Her eyes lit up as she smiles happily and hugs me again. "Yes, sweetie... I am your mother. You're my daughter" she said. I can hear pure happiness in her voice. I lean my head on her shoulder. I close my eyes, letting myself melt in her warm embrace.

Finally, I have a mother. A family! I hope I can put all the bad memories behind me... I want to forget what happened to me in the past. I want to forget...

Who I Was Before

*to be continued*