Date: Sun, 27 May 2018 04:28:45 +0200
From: Drusilla Andrews <drusilla@gmx.com>
Subject: Dark Side of the Street

Dark Side of the City.

By. Drusilla.
drusilla@gmx.com

*****Please contribute to Nifty Stories and keep all the stories alive*****

Somewhere in modern day Europe.

The phone rang, I looked at the clock, it was 3:17 am.

"Yes. What is it?"

"Officer Bodine?"

"Yes. Who's this?"

"I'm calling from Midtown General. We have your daughter here in critical
condition from an apparent soporific over dose."

Now wide awake, I quickly sat up in bed.

"Really? I don't know who you have there, but I doubt it's my daughter."

"She gave her name as Annika Bodine. She said you were her mother. Malina
Bodine."

"Ok. I'll be right there. Is she in any danger of dying?"

"She is stable at the moment. We're continuing to monitor her."

*****

I first met Annika one night on my patrol. A robbery was taking place and I
was directed to the scene. I was only two block away. It was another crime
committed by the street kids. These kids do one of three things to survive.
Beg, steal or prostitution. Police see close to 3000 runaways each year
living on the street. An estimated 300 or more of these are children ages
of 12 years and up. They're all running from something. Abuse,
ill-treatment, neglect and the list goes on. I uphold the law, but I also
feel sorry for them.

"Hey, Malina! Over here!"

It was Robert, one of those macho male officers.

"Two of them ran in different directions down the street. Get back in your
car and make a sweep around the area. Radio if see anything."

"Ok. I'll head west several blocks. Then circle back."

I turned onto a cross street when suddenly this figure darted out in front
of me and ran down a side ally. I turned in, stopping next to the big
dumpster. I knew the ally was a dead end and I had the exit blocked.

I pulled my pistol out. "God Dammit! Don't make me come in there and get
you! There's no place to run. Come out before I have to shoot!"

This little figure stepped out from behind some boxes. "Please don't shoot
me. Please! I don't have anything. Please don't shoot me."

"Get over here in front of the lights!"

I couldn't believe what I saw. A little girl, about five foot tall and
probably around 100 pounds.

"What the hell is wrong with you running out in front of a car like that?
If I had been going fast. I would have hit you."

"I saw you were police so I ran."

I made her put her hands on the hood of my car. "Why? Did you have anything
to do with that robbery a few blocks from here?"

"No. I never robbed anyone. I was begging for money so I could get
something to eat."

I patted her down. She was very thin, I could feel her bones through her
clothing.

"How much did you get from begging?"

She held her head down, looking at the ground. "Three dollars. One guy said
he'd give me five dollars if I took my clothes off."

I jerked her around, staring into her childlike face.

"Do you how dangerous that is? DO YOU?"

I grabbed her by the arm and put he in my car. "There are girls murdered
every day because of stupid shit like that!"

She glanced over at me. "Are you taking me to jail?"

"No. I'm taking you to a catholic shelter for runaways. They'll give you
something to eat and a safe place to stay.

I pulled over and stopped. "What's your name? How old are you?"

"Annika Mayer. I'm 13."

I shook my head. "Most young girls are running from abuse or neglect. Which
one is it with you?"

"I ran away from my step dad."

"He abused you?"

I noticed she kept looking at the sandwich bag I had in my console. "I have
a turkey sandwich in there. You can have it if you like."

She took the bag and devoured the sandwich in a few second.

"You can have the cookie too."

She ate that faster than the sandwich.

"Tell me about your step father."

"I came home from school one day. The police was at my house. They had my
step dad in handcuffs. They took my mom out in a black bag."

I saw the tears forming in her eyes. "I ran and I cried. I just want to run
away."

I pulled away from the curb and turned down the street to the shelter.

"This is sister Abby. She'll take good care of you. You can trust her."

She looked up at me. "Are you going to leave me? Will I see you again?"

"Yes. I'll come see you. AND, stay away from men offering you money! You
hear me?"

*****

Two days passed, I ran all the missing persons of children her age. I
couldn't find anything on a Annika Mayer. Sister Abby called and told me
she had disappeared from the shelter. I did not hear from her again. Until
last night when the hospital called and told me my daughter was there from
an apparent overdose of sleeping pills.

"I'm Malina Bodine. You called about a girl that claims to be my daughter?"

The nurse looked at me. "Claims? Is there some mistake?"

"Could you take me to her?"

Annika was asleep in the bed, hooked up to a dozen tubes and electrical
connections.

"Is this your daughter?"

I looked at the nurse. "Well, since I've never been married or never been
pregnant. I seriously doubt it. However, I do know who she is. I picked her
up several nights ago. She's one of the street children. I took her to a
shelter, but she ran away from there."

The nurse had a somber look on her face. "I see. There is no family? She
has no medical coverage?"

I smiled at her. "No, I'm afraid not. Homeless children don't have
medical."

Annika opened her eyes, looked at me and smiled.

I bend down and kissed her on the forehead.

"You're a really naughty girl."

"They wanted the name of my mother. I didn't know what to do. Sister Abby
told me your name was Malina Bodine. She said you were a very nice woman."

I pulled up a chair close to her bed and held her small hand. "I'm not very
nice right now. I'm really angry with you. What in the hell were you
thinking? What made you want to commit suicide?"

I tears formed in her hazel eyes. "I don't wanna to be treated like a piece
of dirt anymore. Men touching me and telling me to undress. Calling me a
whore and a slut!"

I carefully hugged her, so as not to disconnect any of her tubes. "Go
ahead. Cry for as long as you want. Let it everything come out."

She sniffled. "I don't have nobody!"

I whispered in her ear. "Listen to me. When they say you can leave
hospital. You can come home with me. We'll try to sort everything out. I
won't let anyone hurt you. Ok?"

She nodded her head. "Yes! I wanna go home with you. You're nice."

*****

That weekend, she was released from the hospital and I brought her home
with me. She wandered around my apartment, looking at everything.

"Wow. Is this you?"

"Yes. Many years ago when I was in the Army."

"You look so cool in that uniform. You're really beautiful."

I smiled at her. "Are you hungry?"

"Yeah."

"I can make us some liverwurst sandwiches."

"What is that?"

"Liverwurst between two slices of bread. Little mayonnaise, little mustard,
swiss cheese. No onion, because I don't like onions. Does that sound good?"

Annika had a strange look on her face. "I guess so."

I gave her a glass of milk along with the sandwich.

I smiled, watching her eat. "Annika. We have to talk."

"About what?"

I was not sure how to approach this, but I had to find out. "Annika, do you
know what a lesbian is?"

She stopped eating. "Yes. How did you know?"

I took a deep breath. "I went through your things while you were in
hospital. I found the three dollars you had. I also found a letter from a
girl, Maria."

Annika looked down at the table. "Yes. She was my girlfriend at school. We
would play with each other all the time. We loved each other. You don't
like me now?"

"No, baby. That doesn't change a thing. You're a beautiful little girl. I
like you very much."

She came over and wrapped her arms around me. "I love you. Can I stay with
you forever?"

I held her face in my hands. "I don't know, baby. For now, you can stay
with me until I can figure some things out."

Her big hazel eyes stared at me. "I just I wanna be with you."

She backed away from me, removed her clothes and stood naked in front
me. Her beautiful girlish face and wide eyes. Her long shiny brown hair
resting on her shoulders. Her body so young and so perfect. God, she looked
like an angel to me. I just stared at her for a brief moment. "Why did you
take off your clothes?"

She had a strange look on her face. "I can love you. I know how. I don't
mind. I just don't like men to touch me."

I quickly shook my head. "No, baby. That's not what we're doing. Put your
clothes in the laundry. I'll find something else for you to wear."

She hung her head down. "You don't think I'm pretty? You don't like me?"

I sat her down on the sofa. "Listen to me! I do like you. You're a very
pretty little girl. I'm a thirty-five year old police officer. You're a
thirteen year old girl. Do you see anything wrong here?"

She stared at me with those hazel eyes. "No."

I chuckled at her. "Oh, of course not. Listen, I'm sure you know about
sex. I would be surprised if you didn't. But, that's not happening
here. Ok?"

She was still staring at me. "Did you know you have bright blue eyes?"

I laughed at her. "Yes, baby. Once a long, long time ago I looked into the
mirror and saw them. I'm glad to know they're still there."

I rolled over in bed, Annika lay next to me sleeping like a baby. It was
very difficult for me to keep my hands off her. I pulled the covers up and
moved in close to her. She was so soft and warm. I felt like I was in a
world of just peace and quiet. Nobody else but me and this beautiful young
soul. For now, I would sleep with her and hold her.

I was drying myself as I walked into the bedroom from the shower.

Annika was sitting up in bed. "WOW!"

I gave her a surprised look. "What's wrong? Never seen a naked woman
before?"

"Yeah, but never one that looked like you. You got muscles. You're really,
really beautiful."

"It's call a fit figure. I go to the gym three days a week to stay in
shape. So I can run down little strays like you."

She had the most beautiful smile I ever saw. "I love you."

I bent over and kissed her on the lips. "I love you too, baby. But, I have
to go to work. I won't be home until late. There is plenty to eat here.
You stay inside and out of trouble. You hear me?"

She smiled at me again. "I will. I promise."

*****

It was was almost 8:30 when I go home. I was astounded to say the
least. The apartment was so clean and bright. There was a wonderful smelled
coming from the kitchen. Annika ran over and threw her arms around
me. Almost knocking me down.

I patted her on her little butt. "What have you been doing all day?"

"I cleaned the whole house. Vacuumed, dusted, mopped. I cleaned the
windows, did all the washing and put everything away. I found some
hamburger in the refrigerator. So, I made penne pasta with meat sauce and
garlic bread."

I lifted the lid and took a quick whiff. "God, that smells good."

She gave me a big kiss on the lips. "I wanna show you I can take care of
you."

I laughed at her. "You can take care of ME? That's sweet, baby."

We ate dinner and I loved every bite. I hated to admit she could cook much
better than me. With dinner cleaned up, we retired to the living room.

I took Annika by the hand. "I did some checking on you today and I can't
find any information on Annika Harper. Unless that's not your real name."

"It is, really. I wouldn't never lie to you."

"Do you know of any living relatives in your family? Mother's side or
stepfather's side?"

She shook her head. My grandparents are dead. My mom didn't have any
brothers or sisters."

"What about your stepfather?"

She jerked her hands from me. "I would NEVER go to anyone of his relatives!
I'll die first!"

I held her tight to my chest. "The age of consent is 15 here. At which time
you can choose where and with whom you want to live."

Her eyes opened wide, they were sparkling as she looked up at
me. "Actually, I'll be fifteen in a year and eight months."

"Good. We just need to make sure nobody is looking for you and wants to
claim you as their family."

Her voice changed. "I wouldn't go with anyone."

I ran my fingers through her soft hair. "You are not of consent age yet. If
someone came forward. You would legally have to go with them."

"I'll die first!"

I pulled her close to me. "I want you to stop talking about dying. You hear
me?"

"I don't care! If they take me from you...I'll run away. I'll keep running
away until I'm fifteen. You can adopt me. Then I can live with you
forever."

I had to laugh softly. "Oh, baby. That sound good but a lot can happen in
two years."

I got up, poured myself a cup of coffee and sat back down on the sofa next
to her. "I think it's time I be honest with you."

I stared her straight in the eyes. "A long time ago, when I was in the
army. I met another woman who was also in the army. We fell in love. Like
you and your girl friend at school. We loved each other very much. I have
been a lesbian all my life. I always will. My point is...I would never be
allowed to adopt a girl such as yourself. The courts would never allow
it. Can you understand that?"

She shook her head. "I still won't leave you. Even after I'm fifteen."

I looked deep into her hazel eyes and smiled. "Baby, in two years time you
may find a young girl just like yourself. Like the girl friend you had in
school. You could fall in love. You could even end up marrying each
other. My point is...what you want today may not be what you want
tomorrow."

She held her head up straight and gave me a very stern look. "No! It's you
I love. If you want me to marry you...I will."

I had not cried is such a long time, but she made me cry then. She quickly
threw her arms around me.

"I didn't wanna make you cry. I mean...If you don't wanna marry me. That's
ok too."

I kissed her, holding her lips tight against mine. "That's not it, baby."

"Malina. You said you loved me."

I wipe my tears away, pushing her sightly away. "I do, baby. My heart was
tore apart once. I don't ever want that again."

I quickly blew my nose. I took her littles hands in mine. "The woman I
loved in the army was once married to a man. After she divorced, her
ex-husband found out she was in love with me. One day he took his pistol
and killed her."

I could feel her tiny arms wrapping tightly around me. She was sobbing
uncontrollably. Her tears soaking the sleeve of my shirt. "Tell you
what. Lets watch a sad old movie on television. Then we can cry some
more. When its over, we'll take a shower and go to bed. How's that sound?"

She snuggled up close to me as I searched the channels for a good movie.

*****

We were drying each other off in the bathroom. Annika stared at me for a
moment, then she put her mouth over one of my nipples. She flicked her
tongue back and forth. Her little hands pushed both my boobs up. God, that
felt so great. My nipples forgot what that was like.

"Baby. You're gonna make me hot. Are you sure you want to do that?"

She lifted her head to kiss me on the lips. Her fingers were gently
twisting my nipples at the same time.

"Yes. I want to love you like that woman in the army did. Let me take care
of you."

I gently rolled onto the bed. I put my arms above my head, closed my eyes,
and let her do what she wanted. What she wanted was to drive me crazy wild,
and she did again and again. She gently took my hand and placed it between
her legs. She was so wet. I let my fingers do the rest. I was absolutely
delighted by the little squeals and screams she made. I knew then I could
never let her go.

I rolled over to look at the clock. It was 4:12 in the morning. I shook
Annika by the arm. "Wake up, baby! We have a lot to do today."

She rolled over, her hair was a complete mess, her eyes half open. "I wanna
sleep some more."

I smacked her on the butt. "That's not gonna happen. Get up before I take
you over my knee."

She perked right up in bed. "Would you please?"

"Don't get smart with me!"

I pulled her out of bed and into the kitchen with me.

I fixed us both a bowl of cereal. She looked up at me.

"Why do we have to get up so early?"

"Because we are going to eat breakfast. We are going to the gym and work
out for an hour. We're coming home and shower. Then, I have to go to work."

She finished her cereal and smiled at me. "I'll clean everything in the
house."

"No. You'll go to school. When you get home. You'll clean everything."

She abruptly stopped and looked at me. "School?"

"Yes. Sister Abby runs a school at the shelter. It's the only safe place
for you to go. I can't put in a public school."

I pulled up a chair next to her. "Last night, I came to realize I don't
want to loose you."

Her eyes sparkles and a big smile came across her face. "You love me?"

"Yes, baby. I do very much. But, in order to keep you. I'm going to have to
hide you. Until you're legal."

"Won't they find me at school?"

"Not at the shelter. Which brings me to our story. You are going to be my
niece. My sister is your mother."

"I didn't know you had a sister."

I swatted her on the back of the hand. "I don't. It's part of the story. We
have to explain you living here with me. We have to invent a story and
stick to it. Understand?"

She quickly nodded. "Ok. You're my aunt?"

"Yes. Your mother and father are going through a terrible divorce. They
didn't want you to be part of that. So, they sent you here to live with me
until everything was final. Can you remember that?"

She jumped up and down in the chair, "Sure! This is gonna be fun."

I grabbed her and held her still. "It's not gonna be fun if we get
caught. I'll loose my job and probably go to jail. You'll be sent back to
you home town."

I could see she understood the consequences.

I kissed her and smiled. "I'm gonna write everything down on a paper for
you. I want you to memorize it. Names, places, dates. Everything so you
won't have to hesitate if someone asks you."

This was our start down the dangerous road to deception. Our need to be
with one another at any cost. Being a police officer, I knew how very wrong
and against the law it was. I was going to risk my career, but I had such a
love for her, I didn't care. I knew how much she loved me. All I wanted to
do was keep her and love her like nobody ever had before. I was not going
to give her up! If that made me a criminal, then so be it.

Cont.