Don't Forget About Josie

Chapter 8

I awoke thinking I was back at home. But then I remembered, I wasn't. My back was sore from laying on a rock all night long. The woods were silent, except for the distant sound of a highway. "A highway..." I whispered. Where was I? I ran in the direction of the sound. The air had a wet, damp smell, and then it began to rain. And it rained hard. My white dress was brown from the splashing mud. I only wear bare feet. The sound got louder, and louder, until I almost reached it. My eyes were so focused ahead that I didn't notice the land changing under my feet. I thought I was still running it the woods, until two flashing lights were staring right at me. I screamed. I was so shocked that I couldn't move. The car was driving right at me. I thought I was going to die, when the car abruptly stopped. I kept running, not wanting to get in any more trouble than I did, but the car beeped it's horn. I turned around and walked over to the car that almost killed me. The person inside rolled down their window.
"What are ya doing out here cowgirl? You crazy?!" The mysterious man said.
My heart was still racing.
"I'm sorry sir.." I muttered through heavy breathing.
"You could've been killed!" He said.
Then, I noticed he wasn't alone. An older boy sat in the passenger seat beside him.
"I know sir, thank you for stopping.." I said.
"Why are you out here running in the woods? Where is your Mama? He said, raising his voice.
"I don't actually know why I'm here. But I know I belong here." I said.
He has a puzzled look on his face. "Where are your parents?" He said, still skeptical.
"Well, I don't know that either." I said.
"Unless you can give me answers, I am calling the cops, kid." He said, taking out a cell phone.
"No sir, please don't turn me in! I cried. " I can't go home, I can't!"
"No kid should be running alone on a highway!" He yelled.
"PLEASE!" I said, now crying. "DON'T DO IT!" I yelled.
The man began pushing number on his cell phone, when all the sudden, the boy in the passenger seat snapped his phone shut.
"Gage!" The man yelled. "What was that for?!"
"Don't call..." He said in a quiet voice.
The man looked the boy in the eye, then looked at me.
"Stay warm, cowgirl" he said, then drove away.