SIBLINGS

Indigo. Running Away.

Oh my fucking God!

Oh. My. Fucking. God.

Why won't my feet move any quicker!?

Come on! Just fucking go!

My arm. Fuck, that hurts! He pulled a pocket knife on me... I feel my face collide with the wall across me. I shove him to the other.

Feet! Move!

Managing to make it out and on the main street, attempting to act nonchalant, I walk into a candy shop, hoping they have a bathroom.

I get greeted with a wiff of overpriced sugar. The whole place is like 60's style with a whole bunch of pink and yellow.

My legs don't feel like legs, more like noodles. My chest feels so tight, like someone punched the shit out of my lungs. My throat is so fucking dry.

I feel like shit. Look it too.

I don't see a bathroom... I can ask the lady at the counter.

"Do you guys have a bathroom?"

"It's only for paying customers... Indigo?"

"Yeah, it's me. Can you like, make an exception?" Ah, Jesus, I think I got Physics with her.

"Don't get paid enough to care..." She hands me the key and points to the left.

The bathroom is also pink and yellow but with significantly less light, just the windows and the skylight. It reeks of piss and there is rainwater leaking from the skylight.

Wash my face, my hair, and my pits quickly before I climb out the window, gashing my side on accident.

Fuck... I grab on to my side, trying to make the bleeding stop.

I stumble a little bit.

I take my shirt and try to soak it up until it stops.

I think I lost him...

I owe his boss a shit ton of money.

Olivia kicked me out after a few days because her aunt was supposed to stay for the week.

I walk back to where my bike is parked. Ah, shit only got half a gallon left.

I literally have nowhere to go. It's starting to rain and it's getting late.

It's either going homeless like last time or couch surfing to the Wilson's. A roof over my head is a lot better than a tent, and that's if I'm lucky.

I call Carleigh.

"Hey! Did you miss me already?"

"Of course. Hey, can I ask you for a favor?..."

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I park my bike in the driveway, nice house. Very nice house... Subdivision... Nice lawn... Two stories... It's one of those doorbell cameras... I'm just staring a little bit before I knock, but it opens up before I can.

It's the husband... Milo, yeah. Milo. He's Asian, average height, wearing a Star Wars t-shirt, blue rimmed glasses, and plaid pajama pants. He looks kind of dorky except for the fact that he is pretty muscular and has a no-nonsense look on his face. It truly terrifies me, I feel so on edge. It makes me want to turn around and go as far as I can on half a gallon. Star Wars shirt makes his less scary, though.

"How'd you know? I haven't knocked yet..."

He smiles and points to the camera.

I always thought you had to press those for them to record.

"Well, come inside. Carleigh says lots of good things about you."

Doubt it.

I bite my tongue from saying something snarky. I'm not trying to get kicked out.

He reaches his hand out, and I shake it. Firmly.

"Uh, Indigo. Sir."

"Milo." He smiles, but it's not a genuine smile. He's just trying to be nice.

I see him judging, I don't blame him. Good thing I freshened up at the candy store. At least I'm not smelly too.

He leaves to go get Carleigh.

I sit on the couch. Indian style. I lean my head back and rest my eyes for just a second...

"Indigo! You could at least be awake!"

Fuck.

Somehow, they all teleported here during my little snooze. Mrs. Wilson, Milo, Carleigh, Hannah, and Sean.

"My bad... Thanks for letting me stay. Really, I promise it won't be for long, I just need a week, maybe two. I hope that isn't too much trouble. If you want me gone, I'll leave whenever, okay?" I'm being extra respectful because it's pouring outside.

"Did your mom kick you out?" Carleigh.

I don't want to tell her shit. They did invite me into their home, so I could be a decent person...

"She's not my mom... But yeah,... something like that..." Mr Wilson probably a snitch. I can't mention that I ran away.

Hannah is giving me a face like she smell something icky. Glaring at me and shit.

It gets quiet and awkward.

I stare out the sliding glass door, looking at the rain, wondering where I'd be if I didn't swallow my ego and stay over at my least favorite teacher's house.

"Just... thanks again..." I try to ignore Hannah's glare. Man, I want to smoke so badly right now.

"Can I ask what happened?" Mrs Wilson adds.

I can actually feel my heart trying to jump out of my chest.

It hasn't fully sunk in quite yet... And it's not like it was some crazy showdown with yelling (well, more than usual), and confrontation. It was going to be a rough week, but that shit is normal to me.

She probably didn't even realize I ran away for a while.

I just kind of... Had too much. It all adds up and I couldn't take another week being violated. I guess I didn't- don't care about how dangerous this is.

How do I even answer this?

"I don't really know what happened... I guess it all just piled up, and you know that last straw thing. Next thing I know, I'm packing all my shit and walking out the door."

Not a complete lie.

"How long ago was this? I have noticed your absence from school."

"Probably about a few weeks... "

It gets awkward and quiet again.