Homeless

Like a lot of the homeless he doesn't make eye contact, he's not begging so he doesn't need to interact.

He did beg to start with hoping someone would take pity on him but now he doesn't bother, all it ever got him was another kicking.

He smells horrible and he knows it but he's past caring. He used to keep himself clean, tidy and well groomed, though he was never a fashion victim, he'd never been attractive enough.

He's cold, his coat is threadbare and offers little protection from the rain and wind.
He is small and skinny so he just tries to make himself as small as possible and tries to ignore the traffic roaring past in front the dark corner he has squeezed him self into.

He's heard that there is now a policy of moving the homeless on and out of the area, maybe someone important is visiting the area or maybe the general public have complained. He moves further back into the dark recess where he is hiding.

He used to have a good life, a home and someone to love. He's not even sure why it all went wrong, it wasn't booze or drugs, but go wrong it did and look where he'd ended up.

He's close to giving up, he can feel his body shutting down, he has had nothing to eat or drink for ages now. Maybe one morning he just won't wake up, he's hoping that it happens soon.

He finally falls asleep through sheer exhaustion, vivid dreams disturb him. Then it isn't a dream, bright lights, shouting, someone grabs him, drags him out of his dark corner and shackles him. He is thrown into the back of a van with a dozen others, he sits quietly, some of the others are aggressive and noisy, some quiet.

The journey seems to take hours but eventually the van reaches its destination and they are all dragged out and thrown into individual cells, bare apart from a small hard bed.

He sits in the corner unmoving, frozen now with fear. What will happen next? Does he even care any more.
He's offered food and drink but refuses it.

He's dragged into another room, prodded and poked by someone in a,white coat he is made to shower, asked questions that he ignores. Eventually he is returned to his bare cell.

Time drags, he eventually accepts the food and drink he is given but he still refuses to make eye contact or answer any questions.

Eventually he is moved out of his cell, what new terror awaits him now.

A few minutes in the fresh air and then a precarious walk to some steep steps. At least this place is warm and there is something to sit on other than the cold tiled floor.

He sits very still waiting to see what happens next, nothing happens for sometime though someone is sat beside him. She asks no questions, she just sits, very still and very quiet. Time passes, everywhere is quiet and darkness falls.

Eventually he moves, stealthily and slowly, nearer the woman sitting next to him. She smiles but still says nothing. Closer and closer he edges until he is right beside her. She moves her arm and he wriggles onto her lap and her arms wrap round him.

'Good boy' she whispers, 'good dog, you have a new home now you're safe'.