Germination (Feast of Weeds Book 1): A Novella

Should I Run Away?

Posted August 10th at 5:36PM on Do More Than Survive: How to THRIVE as a Runaway

If you are asking that question and wonder what the answer is-the answer is no. It's not bad enough. Stick it out, whatever you're going through. It's more dangerous on the street.

If it doesn't matter what I say, you're going to run away-then read on.

Pros:

-Lots of freedom and travel

-You will become very skilled at living outside

-You will meet lots of interesting people

Cons:

-If it's cold, you're going to be cold, if it's wet, even worse. If it's hot-you get the idea.

-If you are traveling between cities, sometimes you will go without food for several days.

-Lots of the interesting people you meet will want to steal from you, hurt you, or sell you something that will hurt you.

-If you look under sixteen it's going to be really hard for you to make money without getting into serious trouble.

-If there's anybody at home who still cares, like a little sister or a grandpa, you will seriously hurt them.

If you're actually trying to THRIVE as a runaway, I don't recommend:

Stealing-if you get caught you go to jail which is worse than whatever home you left, but sometimes you need something, just don't expect to get away with it forever.

Drug dealing-you're likely to get hooked and become a tweeker, or get caught and go to jail. I'm not saying street kids don't deal drugs. It's fast money, but it's risky. If it's really about money for you, then why did you run away in the first place?

Prostitution-this is disgusting. People do it, but not me. Not ever. But sometimes you have to trade favors because you want a hot shower or a bed to sleep in and that's okay. Just don't make it a habit.

Believing in monsters-people will tell you so many rumors about monsters while you're on the street. Sometimes it even makes the news, like right now. It's true, there are monsters on the street. There have always been monsters on the street, but not like what the news is talking about. Don't let the stories scare you too bad-only just enough to find some others who will watch your back.

I'm not saying I haven't done any of the above. I'm saying I wish I hadn't. So it's better if you try to avoid it from the beginning. I hope you don't have to learn the hard way like I did. But if you do, I won't judge.

If you can endure it for a little longer, the older you are before you run away the better your chances at making money without resorting to sex, stealing, or other stuff that might hurt you or make you sick. I ran away when I was thirteen. I did a lot of stuff I wish I could take back. I'm almost seventeen now and thinking maybe I don't want to live on the street for the rest of my life.

Also, if you think you're going to find happiness by running away, you're dead wrong. Happiness comes from within.

If you run away, all your demons go with you.

Just saying this because I know. But I'm not telling you not to run. I did it after all, which is why I'm writing about it-to maybe help those like me who are going to run no matter what.

If you're still fed up and it's time to go, then this blog is for you.

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Parts will be posted once per week on Thursday or Friday. If you are enjoying Germination (Book 1), check out www.ZombiesAreHuman.com for free reads and sneak peeks.