Jane Doe - Dead or Alive

Chapter 5 – Saviour

Jane’s POV

To my surprise James walked back into my room with several bags.

‘I bought you a few things, toiletries, clothes, nothing much’

‘Thank you’ I didn’t know what else to say, I was in no position to refuse them.

‘Jane, I have made some arrangements, I hope you don’t mind, but I can help you. I want you to come home with me when you are discharged, and I will go through everything with you’

I looked at him with dread, I didn’t want to leave with him. Strangers frightened me. I didn’t know what he was going to do with me. Sometimes it was better the devil you know.

‘Jane’ I heard Libby’s voice, before I saw here, and my face lit up.

‘Libby’ She rushed over to the bed and hugged me. I recoiled a little at the touch and she looked at me with her big sad eyes.

‘I’m sorry Libby’

‘Did I hurt you?’

‘Not at all’ I smiled and lowered my voice ‘I’m just a little uneasy with affection’

‘Oh’ she looked over at her dad and he smiled weakly ‘Dad says you are coming home with us tomorrow?’ she looked so happy.

‘It would seem so’

They stayed and we chatter for a little while, but soon it was time for them to leave and I was tired. I fell asleep and for the first time since I could remember, I had a restful night.

The following day, just after the school day had finished, I wondered what I was letting myself in for. The nurses were getting my things ready for discharging me and there was no sign of James and Libby.

But right on que, they walked into my room.

I was clean, showered and had the new clothes and shoes on James had bought in the previous day.

‘You ready?’ James asked warmly.

I nodded, still a little wary. I was unable to hide the anxiety I felt at this new and unknown situation.

Libby went to hold my hand and then remembered my aversion to affection, as she pulled it away.

‘It’s okay Libby’ I said as I reached for her hand, I was anxious, and strangely, her touch comforted me a little.

She smiled as we walked hand in hand down the corridor and to the waiting car.

‘I bet you are glad to be out of that crappy bed!’ Libby laughed.

I didn’t want to dampen her spirits, but I couldn’t lie.

‘Actually, I had a great night’s sleep. It was nice to be in a bed. I’ve never slept in one before’

‘WHAT! Never?’ she couldn’t believe it ‘What about when you were at home?’

‘I didn’t have a bed when I was younger’ I said softly. She was only 13, I didn’t want to elaborate. I saw James look at me from the drivers review window.

‘Wow’ she sat in silence for a moment, contemplating what I had told her.

‘So, where are you going to drop me off?’ I asked.

‘What do you mean? Jane, you are coming to our house’ Libby looked at me as if I was crazy.

‘Really? I thought you just said that so I could leave without a fuss’

James laughed ‘No Jane, I meant it, that’s why bought Libby to the hospital with me, I had a feeling you may not want to come if it was just me’

‘Oh’

We arrived in a suburb just outside of the city. The houses were large and gated. Security was massive.

‘Is that to stop people getting in or out’ I joked.

‘Mainly in’ he smiled ‘You will be safe here Jane’

When we entered the gates and arrived at their house I was awestruck. It was huge! I’d never seen anything like it. There was a lady waiting at the front door, holding a toddler.

‘That’s Miranda, my wife and Libby’s little sister Darci’

‘She’s annoying, but cute’ Libby added.

‘Come on, I’ll introduce you’

We got out of the car, and I apprehensively followed James and Libby to the front door, worried she would be unhappy her husband and daughter bought home a stray!

‘Jane! I’m so glad you came!’ She smiled and went in for a hug.

James whispered something in her ear as he stood by her and kissed her cheek. She stepped back. I was glad.

‘Come on in’ Libby grinned.

I smiled meekly at Miranda and James as I entered the house. It was like something I had only ever read in books. I stood in the hall taking everything in. It was incredible.

‘Libby, Jane and I need to talk a few things over before dinner. You can show her around when we are done, and maybe watch a movie after dinner?’

‘Awww Dad’

‘Libby, it’s important’

‘Ok’ she gave me a parting look before heading up stairs.

James looked at me with trepidation ‘look, I know I frighten you Jane, but this is really important. I would never hurt you, but I need you to come with me to my office’

I nodded, thinking perhaps he wouldn’t harm me with his wife and kids in the house. I was hoping that was the case, anyway. I followed him along the long corridor and entered his office.

‘Please, take a seat’ he said as he closed the door behind me.

I couldn’t help feeling uneasy, my breathing faltered.

‘Jane, I’m going to help you’ he said as he sat in the chair behind his desk.

‘How?’ I was curious as to how he thought he could.

‘I made some calls; I have an old friend who is willing to put you up for a little while so you can get back on your feet’

‘What? I can just move in with a stranger!’

‘She’s the kindest woman I know’ he smiled ‘Her name is Maria, and she is a little older than me. We grew up in the same care home and she looked out for me. She lives in a small village very far from here, she is kind, sweet and honest, and she wants to help you, Jane. Please, trust me’

I relaxed a little. I don’t know why; this was all just too weird.

‘Why should I trust either of you?’

‘Jane, we both had troubled childhoods, but we had each other. She was like a big sister to me. I told her what I know about you. You have no reason to trust us, but if you don’t, you will have lost the chance to change your life for the better’

‘Why are you trying to help me? I have nothing to give you’ I was anxious to know why this stranger was being so kind. There had to be something in it for him.

‘I don’t want anything from you Jane. Your small act of kindness led me to you. I just wanted to say thank you and was wiling to give you cash, but the more I find out about you, well, I want to help you. Doesn’t seem you were ever given a chance. I want to give you a chance. What you choose to do after that, well, that’s down to you’

My eyes watered, the feeling still alien to me. I don’t remember the last time I cried or was able too.

‘Thank you, James. I, I, I don’t know what to...’

‘Please, just say Yes, let me help you’

‘Ok, Yes! What do I need to do?’

‘It’s better if you can cut all ties from here. That way, if your family do ever look for you, they won’t find anything useful. I need your birth details so I can get a copy of your birth certificate, then we can at least get you your identity, the rest is up to you’

I gave him the details he asked for and felt sad at leaving Bobby and Blue behind. But Blue was right, they would be ok, they had survived on the streets twice as long as I had. They didn’t know another life or want one. Unlike me.

‘In time, when you have settled with Maria, I would like you to think about your future Jane, what do you want? An education? A Job? When we know what your hopes and dreams are, we can help make them become a reality. It won’t be easy but noting worth having ever is!’

‘Ok, I can do that. James, Thank you’

‘You are more than welcome’

I smiled wide, could this really be happening?

‘It’s good to see a smile on your face Jane’

‘It feels nice to smile. I am so grateful’

‘Consider it the world giving you back the life it once took away. Everyone deserves a chance Jane’

Later, I ate dinner with James and his family and then Libby and I watched a movie in her room. Her room was huge! We both easily fitted on her double bed to watch the film.

‘What do you want to watch?’

‘Anything! I’ve never watched tv before, so I am literally a blank canvas, hit me with your favourite!’

‘I’ve never met anyone who has never watched tele before! Or ever had a bed’ she sounded so sad.

‘Don’t be sad Libby. I was unlucky, but I am here now, and I am happy I met you. I am watching tele and I am in the biggest bed I have ever seen! But do me a favour?’

‘Anything’

‘When you think things are tough, remember me. There is always someone out there worse off than you. Be thankful for your family and the things you have. Work hard, do your best and be happy’

‘Thanks Jane’

We watched the movie and Libby fell asleep. I navigated my way through the huge house and found myself at the top of the staircase, unsure now, where to go.

‘Jane? Are you ok?’ Miranda spoke softly as she looked up at me from the bottom of the stairs.

I worried she was going to be mad with me.

‘Oh, Libby fell asleep, I didn’t want to disturb her. I’m sorry, I didn’t know where to go!’

‘Here, come with me’ she said as she ascended the stairs and took me to what must have been a guest room ‘It has an En Suite bathroom, take a shower, or a bath, get comfy. Come down when you are ready in the morning, and after breakfast, James will take you to where you need to be’

‘Thanks Miranda, for everything, you have all been so kind, and trusting’

‘You’re welcome, Jane, James isn’t a very trusting man, so when he tells me he wants to help and believes you have a good soul, I know he isn’t wrong. Make this chance count, prove him right’

‘I will, I promise’

She shut the door and I was alone. Despite having had a shower at the hospital after my dip in the Canal, I felt unclean, and I smelt. I hadn’t realised until now. How they put up with the smell on me is beyond me. They will probably have to fumigate this room when I leave!

I ran a hot bath and found some bath salts on the side I threw in. I had a shower first, washing away the grim of the last 3 years and was in it for about an hour before I felt even remotely clean. Then I sank into the hot bath.

It was only then, that I suddenly realised, there is no way the hospital staff hadn’t seen my scars. How did James explain them, they would have asked him? Surely? I worried he was in trouble.

I got out the bath and there were some clean Yaga pants, t shirt, hoodie, and underwear on the bed. They fit well, I wondered where they had come from briefly.

I made my way back to the stairs, it was late, but I guessed with all the time James had taken off today, he would be working in his office. I tried to find my way back to it.

I knocked on the door I thought was the right one.

‘Come in?’ James almost asked.

I opened the door ‘Jane! I thought you would be sleeping. You look better’ he smiled, my hair had almost detangled and was somewhat clean ‘How can I help you?’

‘The hospital… They, did they ask you? About me? About my back?’

‘Ahhh. Your scars?’

I looked down and nodded.

‘Don’t be ashamed of them Jane, you are a survivor, they just prove how brave and strong you really are’

‘How did you explain them?’

‘I told them exactly that. You were brave and strong. You survived a terrible past no child should ever have had to have endured. Yet you remain kind and considerate. I also told them you were adopted’

Relief washed over me ‘you never asked me about them?’

‘I figured it was a story you didn’t want to tell. When you mentioned your mother and brothers, well, I just assumed….’

I nodded as I closed my eyes, trying to shake the memories from my mind.

‘Jane, I want you to think about maybe going to therapy. It’s of course, your choice. But, well, it helped me, and I think you may need to deal with the past so you can move forward’

‘You had therapy?’

‘Maria and I had each other, but we didn’t live alone. I had a difficult childhood. Although, I don’t think quite as traumatic as yours. It’s part of the reason I wanted to help you, I was given a chance, and I was able to make something of my life. I wanted to do the same for you. Give back some of the kindness I once received’

‘Ok, I’ll do it. And one day, I’ll give back too. My way of saying thank you, to you’

He smiled warmly ‘I’d like that. Now, try and get some sleep now Jane, tomorrow will be a long day’