Mindful Insanity

Remi

On the next day she got up like every mediocre day there has been. She got up, dressed in jeans, a sweater, hoodie, and sneakers as well. She has put her moving things into her school backpack, to hide the fact that we were running away.

On her bed, she left a little letter. Just so that her parents wouldn't go crazy with her being gone. It read,

"Hello, mom and dad.

I do not want you to worry at all. I made a choice myself not to live here anymore. I was not kidnapped, and I will have a new home, which is just as safe as here. My friends grandma. They do not live around here, so don't waste time trying to find me.

You may be very disappointed in your daughter, but it's also the other way around. You guys wanted to send me to a mental institution. Just think about that for a moment. Nothing is wrong with me! I just have frequent headaches. That doesn't result with me being different in any way.

I'll be sure to keep contact with you in some way. But for now, well be separated. This isn't goodbye. It's only temporary. I'll see you soon.

Much love, Marina"

We left her room and went to the living room, beside the door to the outside.

"Bye mom!" she simpered at her mother, then went over and kissed her on the cheek.

"Have fun at school, child. And think again about the benefits of the hospital" her mom simpered back.

She turned and looked at me with sadness, and then told her mother, "Ok". Although I knew she wouldn't consider it. We went outside and we walked to her bus stop but didn't stop walking. It was a beautiful day out, perfect for hiking, but we were just gonna go to the public bus station. No way we're walking several hundred miles.

At the bus station, people gave her weird looks, but no one looked at me. Of course, why would they? I'm not even there. But that just means I get a free bus pass, eh? So she paid for her ticket and we waited by the benches for maybe half an hour. Then a lovely coach bus showed up right by our faces. We would be spending the next 4 hours on it, so at least it looked new.

Walking into the bus it was lined with a graveled color laminate floor, big 'ol windows, and a nice storage compartment on the roof. It looked new because the seats were extra cushiony and not faded at all. The guide even provided every one cup holders that attach to the back of seats. I don't really know why they wouldn't be there in the first place, but oh well.

We sat on 2 seats in the near back, and II could tell she was nervous just by the sight of her body shaking. She's never left home, especially without permission. But in the midst of her shakiness she smiled and told me it was the right thing to do.

People began to shuffle in one by one, and in 20 or so minutes we were almost full. But That was the waiting queue and now we began to drive. An old lady was sitting across from me, and she smiled tenderly at my companion. Why this old lady was traveling for so long I didn't dare ask. But this bus was full of mysteries.

With every passing minute, she began to relax a little. She talked to the lady a little bit, but mostly enjoyed the scenery. Anyone could tell that she clearly hadn't seen any sights more interesting that her school and the grocery store.

Then she has a breakdown. The thoughts were too much it seemed. This small bus, full of people.

But there were too many people. And where there's a bus load of people, there's a bus load of thoughts. Which she heard. Her face turned a pale, ghostly color and her eyes blinked rapidly. Another panic attack.