Sophie And Lane

Chapter 20

Lane's POV

"Red Group, huh?" Bree snorted after the nurse left, "you're a cutter."  I stared at the wall, "don't you wanna what I'm in for?  Eating disorder," she continued talking,  "I'm in the green group, but I'll bet we will have some groups together."  She stopped blabbing for a minute and I almost relaxed until she said, "you're from the wrong side of the tracks.  The clothes make it so obvious."  She almost giggled. "if I were you, I'd skip the cutting and just off yourself."  I heard her bed creak as she stood up "I would if I knew that I wouldn't amount to anything."  She laughed darkly as she closed the door behind her.

Once I was sure she was gone, I started screaming into my pillow.  I cursed my brothers, the gang, and my parents.  The anger that had built up inside scared me.  I pulled out the razor blade that I had slipped inside my pocket and slit my torso.  I decided right then that I was going to get out of here.  I just had to give it a few days, make sure that Sophie had the letter.  She would come with me.  I just know she will.

A few days later, I had a plan in place.  I stuck gum into the window latch so it wouldn't lock at night.  I had packed what I could in my back pack.  The rest would have to stay here.  I stuffed my bed to make it look like I was sleeping and then when Bree was out, I silently climbed out of the window.

The air was cool and I was grateful for my flannel hoodie.  I had stashed a skateboard under the bushes and rode that to the train yard.  I waited until the I found running southeast toward Duncan and hopped in.  I folded myself into a corner and sat as still as I could.  Once the train started moving, I was able to relax and doze on and off.

The sky was starting to lighten when the train jolted to a stop.  I hopped off and hid in a ditch a long side the track.  I crawled out of the train yard, unnoticed and started walking toward Duncan.  A strange sadness came over me.  I realized for the first time that I probably wouldn't see my brothers anytime soon.

Sophie's POV

Soph,

I can't be in this place.  I can sneak out and jump a train.  It goes straight through Duncan.  You up for an adventure?  By the time you get this, I'll be on the train.  Meet me at the grocery store in Duncan.

Lane

I read the letter over and over again.  Lane was crazy and yet, I was already planning my exit.  I put clothes in my duffle and waited until night. Once I was sure that I could sneak out the back, I slipped out of bed and crept toward the door, "where ya going?"

I froze, "bathroom, Rose, go to sleep."

"Nice try." She stared at me coolly, "you're sneaking out."

I eyed her wearily...was she going to tell on me?

Rose stood up, "I'm coming with you. I'm sick of this place."

I sighed, wondering how Lane would feel about this. Rose was pretty cool, but I really didn't know her that well, "fine." I waited for her to throw some stuff in her backpack, "alright, let's go."

I made my way over to the back patio. I had stuck my chewed gum in the latch, stopping the door from locking. It wasn't long before Rose and I were walking down the street toward the grocery store. I hoped Lane was already there.

"What are we doing here?" Rose spoke, breaking my train of thought.

"Meeting my friend." As if on cue, Lane popped up from behind the dumpster.

We quickly hugged before Lane pulled away, "who the hell are you?"  She snapped at Rose.

Rose crossed her arms and smirked, "nice to meet you too."

"She's my roommate. She's cool." I said, hoping to keep the peace. Lane wasn't exactly the friendliest to new people.

"Why is she here?" demanded Lane, still glaring at Rose.

"Caught me sneaking out..." I muttered under my breath, "she's cool, promise."  I sighed with relief when Lane dropped the subject, "so...do you have a plan?"

Lane huddled deeper into her flannel, "figured we'd get outta dodge for awhile.  I bet Lawton already knows I'm gone."

"We can't go to Texas." I shuddered at the thought of my mom finding me.

"I got a sister in New Orleans," Rose offered.  She pointed to the gas station, "let's go grab a map, some smokes, and some food."

Lane looked at me and shrugged, "that'll work for a little while., I guess." 

Rose was already in the gas station.  She was talking to clerk, giving me and Lane a chance to get we need and get out of there.  Lane was a better shoplifter than I expected.  We were able to swipe what we needed in less than 5 minutes.

We left and Rose followed seconds later.  Lane pulled out a cigarette, then passed one to me and Rose, "hitchhiking or bus?"

"Hitchhiking," I said just as Rose said "bus." 

Rose pulled out a wad of cash, "where did you get that?" I demanded.

"Don't worry about it, besides the bus is safer." 

I suddenly had an uneasy feeling about Rose.  Lane seemed to as well, but said, "bus is safer."  I couldn't argue with that.

Two hours later, we were on a bus headed to New Orleans.  Lane and I sat next to each other; Rose was across the aisle.  I rested my head against Lane.  We both realized it was too late to turn back.