I rubbed my hands together walking into the semi-warm corner store. It's been cold outside lately and my worn down clothes aren't doing me any favors.

I slipped a water in my jacket pocket making sure to avoid the hole so it won't fall out, then I grabbed an Arizona. I swiped a small 50 cent bag of chips and stuck it in my pocket. Then I grabbed a big bag and went to the cash register. "3.17 is your total."

I handed him my last $5, got my change, and said thank you. I walked around eating my small bag of chips before reaching my destination. I climbed the ladder heading back to the abandoned building I live in.

I sat in the corner and drunk my Arizona ignoring the pain in my stomach. This is something I've grown used to, I'm always hungry because there's never enough food to fill me up. Even when I have food I need to ration it because I don't know when the next time I eat will come. I wish I could remember the last time I've had an actual meal.

I sighed finishing off my Arizona and opening my stolen phone. There's no WiFi and I can't call anyone since it's off not that I have anyone to call anyways, but games and reading are a good time passer. Plus, it's nice to know what time it is. Seeing that it's still early I decided to go to the mall. I need cash so I need to pick pocket some people.

I walked out into the 30° weather and immediately started to shiver. This jacket isn't doing much for me, but it's better than nothing and it could be a worse. Something I often told myself to deal with things.

When I finally made it to the mall I started to look around for who I would go to first. I saw a nicely dressed man with some plaid on, ima go with him. I walked onside of him with my face down in my phone purposely bumping him. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry I wasn't paying attention." I exaggerated while swiping his wallet. He told me it was okay and kept walking. I took some cash out his wallet and put it on the ground. That was an easy $10 I smiled. Okay on to the next.

I saw a woman walk through with a designer handbag and a walk that screams power. I waited until she went into a store and followed her in there. I accidentally bumped her just as I did the man and swiped her wallet. I opened the Gucci wallet and knew that I hit the jackpot. Her wallet was disappointing though, it was mostly cards. I took some of the money and gave the wallet to the store clerk.

I decided it was best if I started to walk back to the building. By the end of it all I had $35. I never take all the money out of someone's wallet because you never know what they need it for. They may need it for rent, medical bills, food, who knows. No matter what my situation is I won't take all of someone's money, because I may make there situation worse.

I walked to McDonald's and ordered me a hot and spicy meal before sitting down to eat. To say I was thankful was an understatement. I usually eat nothing but chips, dollar drinks, and an occasional McDonalds hot and spicy. Getting an entire meal wasn't something I could afford. I wish it was a feeling I wished I was familiar with, but life happens I guess.

I felt a tang of jealousy when a family walked in smiling from ear to ear enjoying each other's company. At times like this I wonder about my family. I went from an orphan to a runaway. Every person I've ever met has let me down. After my last home I had enough. I learned the hard way that you only have yourself. I'll never know what it's like to have a family, go to school, have friends. I don't get to worry about my clothes or hair, instead I worry about where my next meal will come from.

I finished my food, despite me wanting more I decided it's best to save the money. I sighed and got up.

I'm tired of living everyday with my only goal being survival. If things are going to get better, I've got to make them better myself.

.

.

.

The next day rolled around and I changed my pants then headed out. I try to spend as much time as possible away from the abandoned building or else I'll go crazy.

I walked into the library and relief washed over me once I felt the warmth. I was greeted by the librarian before going into the nonfiction section.

Reading was something I loved to do. Before I had a phone to play games I would come to the library every day to read. I like to teach myself random things. I'm a very curious person and I soak up information like a sponge. I once read somewhere that knowledge is power and I'm a firm believer in that. Even though I can't go to school I still like to teach myself. Maybe one day I'll be able to graduate if I work hard enough.

"Stop the wishful thinking." I mumbled to myself.

I sat in the library for hours reading different things up until they closed. By the time night came around I had read a fiction book about the supernatural. I'd practice some math problems from the internet, read a book about astronomy, and I'd planned a robbery.

I walked to McDonald's and got myself a $1 drink trying my best to ration my money. As I ate I tried to build up my courage. Though I planned the robbery, actually doing it was making me nervous. If something goes wrong I could go to jail or be put back in the system. I tried to calm myself down because the nervousness was making me panic. I finished my drink and walked out of McDonald's. Am I really gonna do this? I began to think over the idea as I wandered.

What choice do you have Mariah?

Everything you do is a choice.

What do you really have to lose? Nothing.

Yes you do. You don't have much but you have something to lose. Your freedom.

Maybe if I do a rich neighborhood they won't notice the stuff. Maybe they'll have so much money they won't care.

Either way it isn't yours Mariah. You can't just take other peoples things.

What has this world ever done for you?

She found it. The one question she couldn't answer. This world had done nothing but let her down countless times. There wasn't a single person that she mattered to. She knew then that she was going to do it. She learned the hard way that the world is cold. She learned the hard way to trust no one.

It was then she raised the question of why. Why had she been so considerate when nobody considered her? A bunch of why's bounced around her head.

She saw a nice house with no cars in the driveway in a nice community. She took a deep breath... This is the one.