Building Dreams

Runner

Mrs Harper screamed down the stairs as i ran on aching legs from the beating i had just received as a welcome back present, "You'll be sorry you mangy brat!"

As i came to the bottom, tears streaming down my face, Pete came running towards me from the hall, seeing the new bruises and burns on my exposed, shameful arms he held either of my shoulders, trailing his eyes from my wrists to my neck, whispering almost to himself. "We've got to get out of here"

He wiped my eyes lightly and held my hand as we escaped to our room, deciding it was time to go.

That night we made a plan to run away and head for Colorado, there were auditions going on for a new vampire film and Pete wanted to go, he always dreamed of being an actor and often tell me his unbecoming dreams of running away to pursue it. I hoped this was his chance to make it come true.

The auditions were in 2 days, so just enough time to get there and figure out where to stay, we had been saving up money for a few years ever since I started another part time job. 

We both got ready to leave around 2am, in the quiet of night. Putting on a pair of really thick socks and waterproof boots to be prepared for sleeping on the street if it should come to it. And packed one backpack each, filled with clothes, notebooks, tools and money.

That night, we left quietly determined to get out of this godforsaken place, creeping to the door hand in hand, Pete turning to me every once in a while, smiling giddy and excited to leave and purse his dream.

Once we got to the train station, Pete held my hand as I shivered from the cold, lacking a coat of any kind. 

He said to the ticket-salesman, under the golden light, "Two one-way tickets to Colorado station please."

The man nodded and looked at me with suspicion seeing my bruises and my shivering form, "Are you cold miss?" he asked, casually.

"Umm, yes just a bit, but it will be warm on the train."

"You know Colorado isn't a warm place, you two ought to get some coats quick before you get ill" He replied.

Pete smiled but then saw the time, "Well we will once we get there, here"(he said handing him the money)"Thankyou"

Smiling, we both walked away and got onto the train. It was early morning now, so some people were making their way to work, others just travellars.

"Where should we head once we get there?" Pete asked after a moment of silence.

"Well..Find somewhere to stay i guess, it will be late at night by the time we get there."

"We don't have enough for a hotel" Pete replied.

"I guess we could find somewhere else, just not a refuge or hospice, we don't want to be asked questions."

Pete nodded, as i rested my head on his shoulder, he placed his jacket on my knees and whispered with a confidence and softness new to me still from my old foster home,

"We'll be alright from now on, I promise."

He rested his head on mine as we both fell asleep.

When we woke up, we were at the station at Colorado, I quickly shook Pete saying his name in his ear. 

He woke up quickly and looked from side to side frequently as if looking for danger. Finally his gaze settled on me worried, "What, what, are you okay?"

"Yes, I ju- w-we're in Colorado"

His face suddenly lit up as he saw the station outside.

"We did it!" he screamed, standing, lifting up his arms and hugging me as i too stood spinning me in the air.

He grabbed my hand and ran off the train. "WOWWWW" He screamed as i just looked at him laughing, rejoicing as well with my arms raised.

"Alright" I said as we'd calmed down bringing him back to our reality "Where to go now?"

We wondered around the streets for a while looking for a cheap hotel that we could get into without I.D but couldn't find anything.

"What if we just hang out at a 24 hour cafe til tomorrow" I suggested, Pete looked at me with a brightness in his face.

"Great idea!" he exclaimed.

We then searched for one, we eventually settled on a comfy looking place with these sofa chairs Pete thought looked good for a nap.

"Hello!" We were greeted with as we walked into the door, a bell ringing, me and Pete both mumbled back shy "Hi"'s

"What can i get you kids?" The bartender said as he lent on the bar.

"Umm one hot latte and one hot chocolate please" Pete replied for the both of us knowing i wouldn't feel comfortable in the situation.

"Coming up!" said the man. Me and Pete sat on the bar stools by him and started talking about accomadation.

"We could wait until tomorrow, you get the roll and ask if there's any upfront pay, which could get us somewhere to stay." I said.

The barman suddenly interrupted "You kids need somewhere to stay?"

Me and Pete looked at eachother uncertain and i replied, "Yes, we do, you wouldn't know of any cheap rooms around here, would you."

"You could stay here, there's an extra room upstairs. It's not the fanciest but at least it would be a roof over your head." He said, smiling reassuringly. 

Pete and I once again looked at eachother with worry. "I don't know" Pete then mumbled.

"Oh I see, don't worry, the door to the room locks and there's a bathroom just outside."

The man then excused himself as the kettle finished boiling. Pete turned to me, "I reckon it's our best bet" he whispered. I nodded in reply.

The man came back with the cups. "Hot chocolate?" I raised my hand a little as he placed our drinks infront of us.

"We'll take the room." Said Pete with confidence, "how much for the night?"

"Oh nothing no charge, when you get some money you can begin paying but for now it's no hassel." He smiled warmly at us as the fire crackled in the hearth. 

I smiled back and chuckled slightly as i said, "Well thank you sir" happily.

"Call me John, sweetheart, now what are your names?"

"I'm Leila, and this is Pete" I replied. 

"Well, nice to meet you both."

He leant to the side picking something out of a small wooden draw, "Here's the key to the room, it's the first door to the left, opposite the bathroom. Now get warm, the stairs are just through there." He said as he pointed to the door in the corner.

We stayed in the bar for a few more minutes, drinking our drinks and sitting by the fire, occasionally asking John a question, we were all very happy.

Then, we decided to retire around 10pm. "Goodnight" i said to John before closing the door as he replied "Night sweetheart" smiling.

We brought our bags up the creaking stairs to the room, it was quite spacious, with a triangle shape due to the roof with wooden floors, one bed, a desk and a window at the far wall. 

"Well, we could make a quaint home of this" I announced as Pete smiled at me.

We put down our bags and shoes, deciding to unpack in the morning and huddled together under the blanket with me closest to the wall safe withing Pete's arms. Tomorrow was the audition and I had a very good feeling that Pete was going to nail it.