Curiosity Killed the Cat

Goodbyes

Days go by of me studying the wall for any weak points everyday after school. No one grows suspicious. Of course, that's because nothing unusual happens here. No crime, no one has attempted to escape yet. Or at least that I know of.

After the fifth day of scoping the place, I find it. I find my key route to freedom. The guards aren't actually guarding the place. They're completely bored.

I don't blame them either. They're there to scare citizens, but it's not like they need any scaring anyway. Everyone is completely soaked in to their own little lives, striving to be the most perfect human being that we're required to be.

All I need to do is make a distraction and bingo, I'm out.

"You're going to what!?" Lucy exclaims, her emerald eyes widening into huge orbs.

"Shhh! Keep it down! Yeah, and I need you to create a distraction. Please?" I ask, frantic that anyone could possibly hear us.

"Kat, th- this is madness. You'll die. No, I won't do it! I refuse!"

I sigh. Time for plan B. "Fine. I'm going to try either way. But without your help, there's a big chance I'll get caught."

Lucy starts to pace, shaking her head and muttering nervous things under her breath. After her little hurricane of emotions, she stops, glaring at me.

"Fine. But only because I couldn't bare to see you get caught."

I grin. "Great. Tomorrow morning before school, right?"

"I'll be late!"

"For heavens sake, school will be cancelled once it gets out that I'm gone."

She seems to consider this for a moment, but then her eyes well up with tears. Her arms wrap around me. "Don't go. I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too. I'm sorry."

Hah, but I'm really not. Sure, I'll miss Lucy. But I'd rather miss her than be miserable the rest of my life. I don't bother saying goodbye to my family. They'd tell authorities for sure. Plus, it's something that might be too painful for me to do.

I don't get any sleep that night. Anxiety and excitement flutter around in my stomach like butterflies. My breakfast feels like glue in my mouth. My knee bounces up and down rapidly at the kitchen table.

"Will you stay still? Don't fidget, Katerina," Mom prompts.

"Yes m'am," I murmur out of habit. She smiles at my reply.

"Is there something bothering you?" Thomas asks curiously, shoveling down his oatmeal heartily.

"Err... no. I guess I'm just nervous. We have a test today in school," I lie with a smile.

"Don't you worry! You're the smartest, most beautiful girl in that whole building," Dad laughs, squeezing my shoulder affectionately.

My heart aches. If I leave, I'll never be able to feel that again.

Is this the right thing? It will break their hearts... Oh, how I will miss them.

I gulp. "Will you wash my bowl for me? I promised Lucy I'd walk to school early with her."

I say my goodbyes to my parents longer than usual before leaving. This shocks them a little, since I'm not usually the one who initiates affection from anyone.

"Bye," I mumble.

"See you after school!" They say.

No you won't...

I walk out the door, blinking the tears away and swallowing the lump in my throat. I chew on my lip, something I always find myself doing when I'm upset.

I take off my tracker before I leave.