The Prologue — where the journey begins…

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Abby shook uncontrollably as she huddled behind the putrid, overflowing garbage bins in the alley.

She wrapped her arms tighter around herself. Even though the misery of the fetid smell and the cold overwhelmed her, she dared not venture from her hiding place.

She could not stop the tears flowing from red and swollen eyes. How had she come to this? How had the blog of one twenty-two-year-old university senior so inflamed others that she was forced to cower behind the refuse of humanity — in fear for her life?

How — her thoughts ended abruptly at the sound of fast-paced footsteps echoing in the alleyway. The footsteps came closer, faster, and then slowed and stopped near her hiding place. She froze. She dared not breathe. She waited. No sound.