The Trail To Happy

Chapter 5

I was sitting in Dr. Grimmsley's car with the music blaring as he ran into his office to get some paperwork. I was in the front seat with the windows down when it happened. The music was so loud that I didn't hear the sirens go off in the facility and didn't notice Cassidee Brinestone Foosh making a mad dash at the car until it was too late. She shot her hand in through the window and socked me in the face, right where Dr. Grimmsley had hit me, I started bleeding again and my mouth started throbbing. I turned and intercepted her arm and pulled, making her slam her forehead against the car. Her gaze was a state of shock and confusion, not that it already wasn't in the first place. I opened the door and stepped out, still holding onto her arm through the window.

"Cassidee," I said calmly, "what are you doing?"

"Trying to get out," she said in a panic, I didn't notice that she was wearing normal and carrying a suitcase," I want to get out, be free, free bird!!!"

She pulled but I didn't let go. I also didn't notice that she swung her bag with her other hand and knocked me across my head. That was just enough of a shock to losen my grip and she ran off. 

I saw Dr. Grimmsley sprinting out of the office with his satchel bag and a few band-aids on. He sprinted past me and trailed Cassidee. I quickly got up, brushed myself off, and sprinted after them. I was a good runner so I quickly caught up with them and out paced Dr. Grimmsley. I could see Cassidee weaving through the streets and dodging people, families, and dogs. I did the same, but had to throw a few people to the side. I saw her duck into a potery shop in franticness and I did the same. When I entered, there was no sight of her, only children and their moms. I walked across the room and quickly scanned. There! I spotted her going into a back door that was open. I went to it also and looked in. They kept extra potery vases in here for kids to paint, then I saw a sniveling form behind one of the racks. I pretended not to see her.

"Cassidee?" I called mockingly," where are you Cassidee?". I heard a snicker. "I wonder where she could be? Oh well," I said, loudly and overexaggeratedly," I guess she's not here.".

I started walking towards a back door when she bolted out from her hiding place. I took a flying leap and caught her legs. She and I came crashing down and hit a rack of vases. They came down on us. I threw my hood over my head and Cassidee put her suitcase over her. It hurt to be hit with them, but not much. They finally stopped and I pinned Cassidee to the ground, which was a bad idea.

A young attendant walked in saw me over top Cassidee and blew a whistle and ran outside. I cursed myself. Soon Dr. Grimmsley cam in and pulled me up. Only to quick change and pin down Cassidee. Cassidee started struggling and screaming.

"It's ok, Cassidee," he said soothingly," it's ok, you're alright, you're alright." He started singing 'Aloha Oi" by Johnny Cash and she started to calm down and sing along. Soon they were both weaving an awkwardly beautiful melody together.

Police officers now entered the scene and the attendant was pointing crazily at me, she looked like a drunk bird. They walked over and tried to grab me.

"It's ok bobb-..I mean officers. He was helping chase down this escapee from the Sunnyburn facility. He was pinning her down so she couldn't run off any farther," he said. The officers backed off and the attendant turned a very bright shade of red.

"It's ok missus," Dr. Grimmsley said, "nothing to be ashamed about, it was an honest mistake,". He got up and held Cassidee's hand and pulled her out. I trailed behind, a little uneasily with my very close encounter in almost becoming a sex affendor. As we exited there were a lot of frightened children and wild eyed mothers frantically calming their children, it was kind of funny actually.

We arrived, shortly, at Sunnyburn and Dr. Grimmsley handed Cassidee over to her nurse and she escourted her back to her room. We walked back to the car and he started it.