Can't Say No

Chapter Five

"Uh, what?" I called through the door. Toby was already gathering his stuff, getting ready to jump out the window. "Kayla, you are hereby charged with harboring a criminal and potential murder. Now, come out with your hands up!" I face palmed. That stupid cloth, that stupid boy. Quietly, I began gathering my things. "Kayla, don't make us break down this door!" I heard a man yell. "Yeah, fuck off!" I shouted, opening the window. I had all my stuff in my duffel bag, and I so wasn't going to jail, so I got onto the ledge. Once the window was open, Toby was gone. On the ledge, up to the roof, gone. I heard banging on the door, and I knew there wasn't any time to waste. I climbed up into the roof and took off running. By the time I heard the door bust open, I was at the end of the roof. "Shit!" There was a huge gap between the roof I'm on and the next roof, and beyond that I can see a ladder fire escape leading to the ground. "Oh god, oh god..." I hated this, I hated it more than anything. But when I heard feet pounding behind me, I knew there was no other way. "Here goes nothing." I took in a breath, then jumped. For a split second, I thought I was dead. Then my feet touched the next roof and I kept running. "I'm alive!" I celebrated. Great, now I gotta keep running. I ran for my life, and when I reached the fire escape I took the steps two at a time. The ladder I went down a bit slower, but when I touched ground I made a beeline for the woods. Sirens wailed behind me, but after about twenty minutes it was silent. I wanted to stop and recuperate, but I kept running until I came upon a house. My adoptive parents house. Now, no way in hell was I coming back to live here, I was just here to retrieve some money and clothes. And my bike, of course. I snuck into the house, stole some money, and snuck into my room. Everything was still in place, and I shoved everything in my duffel bag. Sheets, blankets, clothes, and some other things. Like my phone charger, some CD's, and an old Teddy Bear, my only childhood toy. When everything was all packed, I shouldered my bag and went outside. My bike was still in the bushes, and I peddled away. Into the woods on an old bike trail, through the trees and far from the town. I stopped when I reached a familiar area. High above, was a tree house. Stashing my bike, I climbed the rope up and into the tree house. It was just a huge room, but I thought it'd be suitable. I spread out my blankets and sheets, and laid down my pillow. Looking at my watch, I saw it was one thirty. Yawning, I crawled under the blankets and closed my eyes. I was pissed at myself for stupidly throwing out that cloth. And I was pissed at Toby for getting me almost arrested. But I was too tired to stay pissed. I just wanted to sleep, and that's just what I did.

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I felt something drip onto my face, and heard the faint heartbeat of a human. They were right above me. Cautiously, I opened my eyes. I sucked in a breath, only to realize it was Toby. Then relief washed over me. And anger. "Jesus, how long have you been standing there?!" He shrugged and ran a finger down a bloody hatchet. "A while." Rolling my eyes, I stood up and faced him. "You nearly got me arrested last night." I spat. He shrugged again. "You let me in." He twitched, and I was seriously thinking of cracking a wise joke at it. But I refrained. Instead I crossed my arms and said "Why're you here? I'm no use anymore. I've got no food, no water, no nothing." He glanced around the tree house. "You gotta place to camp." I raise an eyebrow. "You wanna camp...here? In a tree house? With a girl?" He looks at me, then nods. "Why not? It's a place to sleep that the feds don't know about." Hmm... "What if I say no?" Even though Toby's got his mask on, I can feel him smile. "Then I'll just take it from you." He says, taking out his other hatchet. I hold my hands up in surrender. "Jeez, fine! Just camp in the far corner, and for god's sake don't lead the cops here." He puts his hatchets away and moves to the opposite side of the tree house. Once again, again, dripping blood. "If he doesn't take showers, this is gonna be one hell of a camp out session." I think, grabbing my bag of clothes and money I took. "Where are you going?" Toby asks as I move towards the rope ladder. "To clean my clothes and take a shower. Unlike some," I say, gesturing towards him. "I don't like to leave evidence." I then climb down the ladder and walk down the wooded path. I could go to my adoptive parent's house, as they'd probably be at work, but I had a better place. There was a campground area not a mile's walk from the tree house with showers, a laundromat, and cafes. Yeah, not much of a camping place, I know. But for once I was happy it was there. When I got to the entrance, I was happy to find no one was in the check in booth. If I was quick, maybe it'd stay like that. I walked through the campgrounds, which were mostly empty except for a few. The showers were empty, which was nice. I could shower alone and in peace. When I was done in the shower, I went to the laundromat and washed all my clothes. And after that I finally went to a cafe. It was empty besides for the counter girl, who looked up at the ring of the bell. "What can I get ya darlin?" I look at the menu. "Uh, just two number eights and two waters." The girl looks at my tiny frame, but shrugs and goes to get the food. Suppose I should've gone to two different cafes, as I'm probably the skinniest person in the world and would never eat so much as two meals, but once again my mind failed me. I payed the girl in cash, then sat at a table by an outlet so I could charge my phone. Putting in my ear buds, I clicked on my local news app. I wanted to know if I was now a wanted criminal. Thankfully, I got a much better turn out. "And after further investigation, the runaway girl Kayla has been deemed not guilty. However, she needs to be in the hospital as her injuries were severe. If you have any information on her whereabouts, please contact the local police." I laugh as I put down my phone and start opening my bag. "Severe injuries?" I think as I begin eating. "I had a concussion and a black eye. Who're they fooling with that 'severe injuries' bull?!" It was just amusing to me, for some reason. I knew people all over would now be looking for me, Ellen and her family, the school, the hospital, the police. "Fun. Worse than being a criminal." I finish my breakfast, grab the second bag, and leave the cafe. With my duffel shouldered, I easily pass through check in and head back to the tree house. Hopefully Toby liked a breakfast burger, whatever else was in the bag, and water. Well, he ate hospital food, so there's a plus. When I see the tree house, I climb up the ladder and jump into the room. Toby was still sitting in his corner, and he looked up as I entered. "You sure take your time." He said as I put down my stuff. Rolling my eyes, I toss him the bag of food and the water. "A thank you'd be nice, but your eating silence will be good enough." He rummaged through the bag, and I sat on the window ledge with my phone. A cool breeze blew in, and my hair whipped behind me. Then, I had a thought. Tossing my phone back onto my bed, I began to lean backwards. Farther, and farther, and farther, until I was basically leaning flat. Then I grabbed a hold of a tree branch. Toby looked up from his food, and he looked at what I was doing. "Are you suicidal?" He asks. I laugh and shake my head. "Not quite. I'm trying something." And with that, I lift my legs up, and swing from the tree house.