Rules of Escape

Chapter 8 - Evan

Evan sits on the couch looking at the bubble popping game on his iPad. It is a silly game really, but fun and mindless.  He also likes to play the Zen rock game which is a bit more challenging. But today, he just didn't feel like playing either game. Eventually, the screen will go blank if he doesn't touch it.

Evan changes the screen to look at pictures.  The last one he took was of Ana at the big house during the storm.  She has a big smile because they had just finished planning their escape.  Evan looks at her picture and feels sad.  If Ana had been driving, he is sure they would have made it to The Place.

Now, everyone is mad at him.  People had asked him so many questions that day, and it took a lot of energy to try and understand what was being asked and how he should answer.  He kept thinking about what Ana had said: "Don't tell them what we can do."  But who was "them"?  Everyone?  Couldn't he tell anyone?  And why shouldn't he?  Social problems and communication problems were why they needed care. They don't have those problems anymore.  So, now they don't need care.

Evan hates secrets. He was never good at keeping secrets.  His mom used to say, "If I want the truth, I just ask Evan."  It had made him feel special and good when she said that. Now, his secret is a burden and it is hard for him to breathe every time he thinks of it.  If only he could talk to Ana.  She could explain why they need to have this secret.

He hears the front door opening and closing.  Shift change.  He calls out the usual bye and hi that staff expect.   In about an hour, he will put on his shoes.  A walk is on his schedule for today.  Usually he doesn't like the walks, but today, the house feels stuffy and closed in and he is looking forward to the walk.  He wonders briefly where he will go.

"Hey Evan," Peter says walking into his room.  "Up for a walk today?"

"Yes.  We go in one hour," Evan says.

"OK. Sure.  What'cha lookin' at?" 

Evan holds up his iPad.  "Pictures."

"Wow those are some great pictures."

"My favourite," Evan says showing Peter a picture of a sailboat.  It is a picture of a picture in an art gallery he had been taken to.  It was the only painting he had liked.

After Peter leaves Evan's room, Evan decides to have a rest.  He has felt so tired the last couple of days.  It is probably the new vitamins that he is being given.  They don't look like vitamins because they are so tiny. They make him feel floaty and a little tired.  He lies down on his bed and closes his eyes.

It seems like he has only just closed his eyes when Peter returns with a very full back pack.

"Hey bud! Wake Up! You can't just lie there sleeping your life away," Peter says.  "I have tons of food and water packed. I thought, since it's a nice day, we could go for a walk up the mountain."

Evan rolls over and wearily climbs out of bed.  Peter has so much energy and enthusiasm, it is a little unnerving, but also kind of nice. 

Within half an hour, they are hiking up Mount Headly - a steep mountain, owned by a logging company.  Public access is permitted most of the year. 

Evan works hard to keep up with Peter. Eventually, they stop at a little plateau just before the top of the mountain.  They can see the tops of trees from this height and the lake, far below. 

Peter spreads out an old blanket and invites Evan to sit down. 

"Look at what I've got here.  Sandwiches, apples, and oranges.  Even some cake left over from yesterday."