Journey Home

Chapter Twelve

I must not have been out very long, because when I come to, I hear the conversation continuing. I sit up and try to be as quiet as possible, listening attentively.

"What are you talking about?" a voice demands. Austin's.

"You know what I'm talking about," the first voice says harshly. "Do you know how much money I could gain by turning that girl in?"

Austin splutters for a bit, but finally comes up with, "How did you know?"

"Know that she's a runaway?" Austin's dad answers. "Isn't it obvious, Austin? I see the news, I read the news, and know that my thief has a habit of attracting the bad ones. Plus, I'm sick of this all. I'm ready to be done with you. This girl is an accomplice to a thief."

A pause.

"If you let me," Austin's dad continues in a softer tone, "if you help me, Austin, we can work this out. We can accuse the girl of something... thieving. We can pin some of your crimes on her. No one will believe otherwise. People don't believe runaways, but they WILL believe an old, rich man. What do you say, son?"

"Never!" Austin yells. "You're asking me to lie?! No. Way. Not to Zoey. That isn't fair."

"Who's talking about fairness?" he shouts back, but quickly brings down on his tone. "Listen to me-"

"No. You listen to me..."

Austin's voice grows quieter as I back up. I leave it to him to defend me. He only has to hold off his dad for a bit while I get away.

I creep upstairs and quickly search the room for the car keys, making as little noise as possible. They aren't there. I gulp and whisper, "Think, Zoey. Think! If I were Austin, where would I put my keys..." My eyes light on the car.

I scoop up my stuff, throw it over my shoulder and stealthily open the window. My eyes go wide when I see the space between me and the ground. "Why couldn't I be close to the freakin' ground?!" Cursing under my breath, I jump and roll on the ground.

I pick myself up and sprint toward the car. "Keys, keys, keys," I mutter as I yank open the door. I throw myself inside and spot the keys still in the ignition. Austin must not have really worried about anyone stealing the car - we're at a mansion!

I suck in a deep breath and start the car. I hear a shout from inside when the noise reaches them. Austin bursts through the door and sees me backing up and his eyes go wide. My eyes go wide and I push on a pedal.

The brake.

I push on a different one and get the car going. Somehow I manage to figure out how to back up. Austin just stares at me.

I don't know how to drive a car! I never had a chance!

I almost crash into a trashcan. I let out a whoop, but it suddenly goes high when I see Austin's dad also burst through the door. Panicking, I back up even quicker and speed away.

"ZOEY!" Austin screams after me.