But recently they started getting mad at me for little things.
'Why'd you put your shoes like that?'
'Why'd you fold the napkins like that?'
'Why are you a few minutes late to dinner?'
'Can't you just listen to us? Why do you have to be so annoying?'
And it went on.
I couldn't take it, I just couldn't. I yelled and they yelled back.
It was only a matter of time before they called someone from CPS or something and took me away.
I knew how it was with these people.
Before they could call some stupid adult, I ran.
It was dark outside and I went into some alley or the other I don't know. I can't remember. It's all so blurry and.. painful. There were people. Some kid I got into a fight with at school and their group of delinquent friends I think. I tried to fight back but I don't think it worked. I remember throwing a lazy punch and having it land softly on some douche's face and being pinned on the ground, but I can't remember much else. All I know was that everything hurt and I had nowhere to go.
I managed to pick myself up... somehow. The lights were dim and the streets were narrow, but I found myself walking down a familiar path. I stopped at a house. Her house.
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Cathy's description of my arrival
I'll be honest, I didn't know where else to go.
Luckily, she was awake and answered the door.
I think I crashed into her, because she had to carry me to the bathroom to help clear up the wounds and apply medicine and bandages.
I think I got back to my senses around that time.
She asked me what happened and I managed to croak out 'gang beating' before going silent again.
After a while, she took me to the kitchen and opened the fridge.
'I'm making hot chocolate, do you want some?'
'Sure'
We didn't talk about my predicament after that.
When we both eventually went to bed, she let me have her bed and took the mattress for herself. I was not in a position where I could object.
I woke up with her beside me, lying on the same bed.
