The Runaway - Paul Lahote

Chapter 1: A New Beginning

Forks, Washington. A small town, covered with constant clouds and rain, with a population of less than 4,000 people. The perfect place to hide. For now at least. Of course it wouldn't be long till they were found and then they'd be on the run. Again. 

Sophia Lawson thought that out of everywhere in the country, that this would be the perfect place to lay low. Thea Lawson, however thought otherwise. Sure there weren't a lot of people around, but they would expect them to hide where they knew they had a higher chance to survive and small towns would be the first place they looked. 

A sign passed as the girls went over the bridge, saying "Welcome to Forks." Why name a town after a utensil, no clue, but hey it was unique, that was for sure. 

"It will be different this time, T. We might have a better chance." The eldest sister, Sophia, said. Always the voice of hope in the small family of two, rubbing her hand on her little sisters head, messing up her hair. 

Turning to look at her sister, the young Lawson let out a sigh of disbelief, "You always say that Soph, this time is probably no different. We'll be here for a month or two, maybe four if we're lucky, and then we'll have to leave." 

"There's always a chance. We have to be careful as always, but maybe this time, you could at least put an effort in and make some friends, explore the town, or something other than hiding in your room." 

"What's the point? I get attached and then I just have to randomly up and leave again. Leaving no explanation or any goodbye. I just walk out of someone's life? I won't do that again." Sophia wasn't surprised by the answer coming from her younger sister. She understood but that wouldn't stop her. Not anymore. 

"You can't even give it a shot? Who kno-," She was cut off before she could finish her thought. 

"Sophia. No. I can't- I won't let someone in my life again, just to lose them in the end. We just went through that. And that outcome? That was our fault. We got too comfortable and thought that we were safe. It was all a lie. One that we let ourselves believe. So please just stop. If you want to go out and be a part of this town, then I won't hold you back but I won't join you either." With that Thea turned the radio up and faced her window, watching as they entered the small town through the raindrops coating her window. 

Building after building passed by. Some were bright and colorful, while others were a bit more dull, looking lonely on the outside and the inside. 

As they drove through the streets of Forks, the rain-soaked town seemed to reflect the gloom that hung over Thea's heart. Sophia kept her eyes on the road, trying to think of ways to make this move different. She understood Thea's reluctance, but she hoped that maybe, just maybe, this time they could find a semblance of peace.

Thea watched the raindrops race each other down the window, lost in her thoughts. Each town they moved to was a reminder of what they were running from, and how every new start inevitably led to another painful goodbye. She couldn't bear the thought of making friends only to lose them again.

Their house came into view, a small, simple building. Sophia parked the car and turned off the engine, taking a deep breath. "We're here," she said softly, hoping to break through Thea's silence.

Thea didn't respond, just opened the car door and stepped out into the drizzle. Sophia sighed and followed, grabbing their bags from the trunk while Thea grabbed whatever was in the back seat. The house was modest, but it would be their home for however long they could stay. She unlocked the door and they stepped inside, the warmth of the interior contrasting with the cold, wet outside.

The house stood at the edge of town, a small two-story structure painted a muted green-gray, blending with its surroundings. A narrow porch with a white railing ran along the front, covered by a portion of the roof. The front yard had a couple of overgrown weeds and some dead flowers growing.