The Elements of Life

Running, I loved running. Feeling the wind flow threw my hair. My long Black hair that is down to the middle of my back, my small frame being pushed to it's limits. I loved the feeling right before you got winded the burn of you ribs you feet on the grass, my feet was always bare when I ran I have a connection to the earth. I feel the energy of every plant, animal and bug all over the world. I have always had theses connections to the earth. I saw a small river and decided I was going for a swim. I jumped into the air, the wind, the air is my friend. I love the different smells and taste of the air. it's like a mothers caressing her new born child for the first time. It always seemed to cradle me anytime I needed it. Splashing into the water I felt recharged my mussels relaxed and all the dirt and grime lifted from my body diving under I felt secure in the coldness of the water. Coming back up for air I smiled.

I have always been more myself in the wilderness, I live in Washington as far as I know. I've not been to school in so long but I was smart, I knew where I was and how to find anyone. The elements help me they are my shelter and my home. I'm a sixteen year old runaway. Well I guess, is it really running away if you had nowhere to run from. My parents died when I was eight. They came the same people I have been running from the passed eight years. I had no clue what they wanted but they destroyed my home, my young childhood. Floating on top of the water, I reminisced on that very day.

I was in my room, I loved my room, it was just got repainted to red my favorite color of the month. My dad was downstairs with my mom they were fixing dinner I could hear them. They were laughing, my dad was never much of a cook and he insisted on helping mama.

"Leeana, c'mon time for dinner" I herd my dad call. I got up I was never one for cute dresses because I loved the dirt to much so my mom would keep me in cotton shorts and t-shirts. I made my way down the steps and skipped into the kitchen where my parents were smiling at me. They made my favorite food ever, taco salad and chicken wraps. I sat down and my parents both did as well.

Looking into their eyes I was worried they looked frantic and scared, "what's wrong mom," and then looked over to my dad. " dad." He forced a smile, and told me to keep eating and eat all of the food. I did and I was stuffed but my parents were still on edge. Then there was a loud crash. My dad grabbed me and took me to my room my mom close behind. I didn't scream I was in shock. The put me in my closet and behind my clothes was a wall I didn't know was even there. They handed me a black credit card and told me not to lose it. I was not to move or say a word then my mother put her and my dads wedding rings on a gold chain and put it around my neck, they told me I was safe now that they loved me. Tears were running down my face. I herd another loud bang then they kissed me and then the rings around neck on the chain. Put me in the crawl space and that was the last time I had ever seen my parents.

A tear fell from my eye into the water, I just laid there in the water. The feeling of lonely came over me and another tear fell making a splash in the water. Then the water started to glow a beautiful blue like the whole river had blue lights shining from the bottom. Then the grass and the trees illuminated a sparkly light summer sun shown from every corner of the forest. Even though it was night time, but that made it even more beautiful. The wind I could see the wind make waves in the water and circle around me then I felt warm like a fire was in me making me that way. I think it was the elements that have been with me from the very beginning since I was in that closet crying over my parents death, reassuring me I will never be alone.

I smiled, my eyes closing and the water an trees went back to being their regular colors in the wind disappeared and the water went dark again. Floating in myself I got out of the water. My hair heavy and wet my outfit would dry soon not like I wore much I had on cotton shorts and a camisole it was mid June and it felt good. Then I herd a stick break to my left. My head whipped in that direction, grabbing the rings around my neck I like I always did when I was nervous.

I herd another stick break but I saw someone. It was a girl, she was small I was about to run when she opened her mouth. "wait stop, I want to help you." she didn't look dangerous, I stopped but didn't say anything and I didn't turn around, I didn't want or need help. But I got a feeling, I don't know if that feeling was here to help or hurt me. But my mom always said go with your gut.

" umm I'm Kel, short for Kellen my mom dad and I just moved to this house not far from here, I went for a walk not thinking I would find anyone because we moved to north bumble-fuck, were we have no neighbors so I'm surprised to find some one out here. But you look like you have not had a good meal in years. And you hair is matted and I wanted to talk to you. And now I'm kind of ruining it 'cause when I'm nervous I tend to ramble and people get weird out by me so if you want to come with me say something. And I will stop talking now oh wait what's your name well if you want to tell me, oh wait, I'm stop talking now." I surprised my self and laughed, she was special and I was meant to know her so for the first time in a week I said something to someone.

"Leeana, my name is Leeana. Your not weird. I would love some help but don't tell your parents I'm homeless, okay?" she smiled at me, a real smile not one that would be on the face of a killer. She slowly - cautiously - walked to me. Linked arms with me and led me to her home.