The Past, Present and Future of our Infinities

Runaways and Officers

When I was twelve I tried to run away from home. He'd knocked me out and when I awoke he was gone. He probably fled from fear like the coward he is. I knew if I stayed there one day I wouldn't wake up. I knew Laine would help me and walked to her house. I put on a black and white sweater black jeans and my white hightop converse. It took a full hour and I was tired by the time I got there. After I got there I knocked on her window. Luckily she had a room downstairs, this wasn't the first time I had arrived unexpected but this was the first time I had no intentions on going back. I told her the story in full detail from beginning to now. She wasn't shocked in anyway actually. She just told me to come up to the basement until we thought of a plan. The basement was my hide out. It was dusty and plain but I had decorated it with pink pillows and a pink pillow from my room. I had about 20 movies some of my own, some I found in the basement. I had snacks that I had kept from lunch and stored up here every time I came home with Laine which was often. I also had water bottles and juices. My silver DVD player was covered with my little pony stickers, I had gotten it for Christmas that year. I put my lavender and pale crayon pink book bag on the ground. When I needed a break from my home life I came here. I always returned home before my mom got back so nobody ever had to go searching for me. I set my stuff on the floor popped a movie into my DVD player and ate some pretzels. I calmed down pretty quickly while Laine was in her room reading. I stayed there for hours watching movie after movie before my mom called Laine's house.
Mom: Tracie is missing. My husband was crying when I got here and he told me she snuck out while he was asleep. I could hear the panic and restraint of tears in her voice.
Laine's Dad: No we haven't. Have you filed a report? He sounded worried.
Mom: No. We wanted to check around first. May I speak with your daughter?
Laine's Dad: Of course. LAINE.
Laine: Coming daddy. Hello ?
Mom: Hi sweetie. Have you talked to Tracie today ?
Laine: No ma'am. But she's been talking a lot about the fair. Maybe she's there.
Laine and Tracie had decided to send Tracie's mom out on a wild goose hunt to stall for time when she called. Tracie felt guilty, and Laine didn't want to lie but it had to be done. Tracie and Laine were very smart and mature for there age. Tracie had always needed to do things by herself and Laine had her own problems. Nobody's childhood is perfect. And these twos were far from it.
Mom: Thanks so much sweetie!
Laine came into the basement then and laid down next to Tracie.
Laine: Now what ?
Tracie: Well I can't be me anymore. People will be looking for me. They snuck out of the house to go to the store in search of a new identity with hoodies and shades. They'd barely made it a block before a police drove up to them and made them halt.
Police: What're yall youngins doing out here in the time of night ?
He spoke with a Southern accent. He was smacking on some gum and he smelled slightly of smoke and coffee. I smelled the strange concoction while Laine began to talk.
Laine: Walking to our friends house.
Police: Where do they live?
Laine: A few streets away. Luckily our friend Cori lived nearby.
Police: Where do you live ?
Laine: About a block away.
Police: Why didn't your parents drive you ?
Laine: My mom doesn't feel well.
Laine's mom was a alcoholic. She was probably drunk so technically it wasn't a lie.
Police: I'll drop you ladies off. Get in.
We got in the car after looking at each other with quizzical glances.
Police: You shouldn't be out this late. It's not safe.
I decided to speak now.
Tracie: Yes sir. We were supposed to head over earlier but we wanted to finish our show first and it was a little longer than we'd thought.
Police: Well don't let it happen again. Where does your friend stay exactly?
Tracie: Take a left here then another at the end of the street. She'll be three houses down on the right.
Police: Alrighty then.
We drove in silence the rest of the way and the police officer waited until we got to the door to drive off. We pretended to knock then waved. I thought it was rude of him not to wait until we entered but was eternally grateful.
Tracie: Thank goodness he didn't ask more questions.
Laine breathed a heavy sigh of relief.
Laine: I know right. Ok, so we are pretty far from the store now and we should probably head back before my parents find out I'm gone. We started walking to her home. I recognized a black car but and tried to hide. But by then it was to late. My mom had spotted me. "TRACIE COME HERE!" She screamed as she stopped in the middle of the street and got out. Laine started running in the other direction and my mom called her too. "LAINE I SEE YOU." "Crap." She muttered. We got into the backseat.
Mom: What the heck were you two THINKING.
Tracie: That I needed a vacation.
Mom: I would not advise you sassing me.
Laine: Ma'am I think she's just trying to say she's stressed.
Mom: Imagine how I feel looking for my missing daughter.
We were all silent then. Today had NOT been a good day.