The passengers of the train kept glancing at the two girls sitting close to one and other. The older one looked like she didn’t sleep for the past three days, with her messy and greasy hair. She was holding tight the younger one in her arms. The little girl was humming quietly, indifferent to the disapproving stares from the passerby. Were they mother and daughter? With 20 years apart, they might as well. Aiko was trying to ignore them, but she was conscious of how it looked to stranger. She probably looked like a young and irresponsible runaway mother. 

But more than that, it was Yua’s face that people frowned at. Although they tried to be discreet and avoid eyes contact, Aiko could feel their judgmental look on them. 

And she couldn’t really blame them.  

A bruised cheek. A cut on the brow bone patched up with a pink bandaid. A baby tooth missing. A swollen lip. Yua was in pretty bad shape, and there was more than the eyes can see. 

Aiko held Yua a bit closer and looked through the window. The train was rattling as it crossed the city bathed in the last light of the day. The gentle tremors of the subway cradled her smoothly and she lost herself in her thoughts. 

To be honest, it was a bit crazy. She just made the decision to disappear with her sister. She still had a hard time to accept the situation. And now that she felt the weight of Yua’s head on her shoulder, she couldn’t help to wonder if she made the right decision. When you think about it rationally, it was the kind of things that only happened in movies. What’s more, she basically kidnapped her own sister. Although her father was a dangerous and incompetent man, he was still Yua’s guardian. Maybe she should have go the social services for help. Or the police. 

The police. 

Aiko’s blood ran cold. What if her father went to the police to report a missing child case? Would they find them? Would they put Aiko in jail, and take Yua to their father ? 

Aiko’s heart skipped a beat. What had she done ?

- Aiko ? Suddenly called a little voice

- What ? She answered with a jolt

- It’s the last stop, Yua told her with a slight lisp. 

Aiko looked around a bit confused as everyone was making their way out. 

- Right, let’s go, she finally say standing up.

She took a bag on her shoulder, dragged the suitcase while holding her sister’s hand tight. They got off the train and Aiko looked at the station.

“Peter’s street”. That was an other crazy decision. She even promised herself not to come back here. And now, here she was, with her little sister too.

- Do you know where we’re going now ? Asked Yua gently 

- I have an idea, said Aiko trying to look reassuring, do you trust me ?

- Yes !

- Then don’t let go of my hand, all right ?

-Ok !

- Promise?

- Promise !

- Ok, let’s go.

Aiko took a deep sigh and lead the way out of the station, Yua trotting next to her.

-Do you have friends here ? Asked the little girl cheerfully completely oblivious to her surrounding.

-I… think so, answered Aiko as honestly as she could.

Maybe not friends, she thought, but at least indebted acquaintances.

***

- Is that your friend ? Whispered Yua to Aiko almost discreet.

Aiko couldn’t answer. She had no idea who that man was, and she was sure she would have recognise him if she had seen him the previous night. She squeezed Yua’s hand and gulped difficulty.