The Nowhere Girl

Chapter Three

 Jeremy

~

 I was sleeping quite peacefully, for once, up untill I heard a small yet urgent voice in my ear.

"Jermy, Jermy wake up! Ma says your going to be late for Phil's again."

I groaned and managed to sit up, rubbing my eyes lazily. I looked at the tiny clock across the room on my dresser.

"Beky it's only half past three, I don't even have to be at Phil's untill half past four!" My face dived right back into my pillow, pulling the thin woolen blanket over my head. Going to work was the last thing I felt like doing right now...

"Well I think your clock is broken cause Father says it's a quarter after four..."

My eyes opened instantly, I threw back the covers to find Becky giving me a stern look that no five-year-old should ever possess. I jumped out of bed and threw on the first cotton shirt I could find. I found a pair of grey trousers on the ground and hurriedly tried to shove them on while running down the narrow hallway.

"You forgot your socks!!!!" Becky came stumbling after me and handed me a nice black woolen pair.

"Thanks Bek! Don't forget to act your age once in awhile, the last thing I need is two mothers!" I joked, and ruffled her delicate brown ringlets, then I was off.

As I ran past the kitchen I heard my mother call, "Anything to eat Jeremy!?"

"No time ma! Have to get there before the sun comes up!" I hurried down the staircase too see my father waiting by the door, he handed me my coat and cap as I struggled to pull my boots on. I could see there were circles under his eyes, new worry lines on his face, making him look years older. 

"Be safe son. Stick to the alleys and get Phil to take you home himself this time. I don't approve of you making the trip alone." He firmly squeezed my shoulder, trying unsuccessfully to look me in the eye without giving away the worry on his face.

"Yes Father, but I'm not a child anymore, and can you blame him for not wanting to be out in public with me for too long?"

It came out more bitter than I'd meant it to. He glanced at the floor and grinded his jaw. I could tell it upset him, but no matter how I couldn've said it, it was still just facts.

"So long then." I unlocked the door and quietly pushed it open. I soon found myself in Mr. Birch's office, I stepped through and, from the other side, pushed the bookshelf attached to the door back into it's proper place. I waited for the familiar click as the lock snapped back. I then made my way through the side room and to the back of the house so as not to distrub anyone.

The back door was left unlocked, as previously arranged, and after closing it quietly behind me, I wearily began to run through the streets. The night air was cold, and I pulled my collar up so my features would be less recognizable.

Hardly anyone came out at this time of day, except for the soldiers, who seemed to require no sleep at all. Patrolling the main roads at all hours in their giant army trucks. I had memorized my route, staying only in the alleys like my father had told me. Not that it was neccessary, I'm not a idiot. 

I always enjoyed making my way to Phil's store. It was often the only time I got to be alone, to absorb the fresh air and peacefulness of the hour. Also to ponder my thoughts, which is hard to do when you're constantly crammed in the same attic with your family.

Running was one of my favorite pastimes, and I only ever got the chance to do it early in the morning. It was how I managed to stay somewhat fit, even with the smaller and smaller portions of food we've been having.