Runaways

Chapter 8

Elizabeth

 It was already 5:27 a.m. and I wasn’t even close to being tired. I looked up at Mary in the passenger seat, and she seemed to be falling asleep. Oliver had a serious face on. It’s not like him, so I sat in between the two front seats and stared. “You okay Oliver?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.” He muttered, not taking his eyes off the road. I can’t stop thinking about where on earth he learned to drive. 

“What are you thinking about?” I try to get it out of him. He sharply glared at me for a few seconds his eyes off of the road, and I return to my seat, knowing he didn’t want to talk about it. Every now and then, I’d look at the rear view mirror to check if he was alright. He’d catch me staring, and he’d roll his eyes. I stuck my tongue out at him and giggled. That hoe. 

Mary was now asleep and Allie was gazing out of the right window. I quickly glanced out of my window and the view was amazing. Still dark out, so many stars and I could tell we were getting close. All of a sudden, I felt something hold onto my right hand. Turning to look, I noticed, it was Dario. He smiled, and turned his face the opposite direction, not letting go.

I smiled, and noticed how quiet it was in the car. They’re probably thinking the same thing as I am. Is this plan going to work? Will we get caught? Who knows, but it’s worth the try. There was an awkward silence, and I was about to break it. Right before I was about to say something, Allie yelled out “LOOK!” pointing to the city that was sitting before us. Her yell made Mary jump and I laughed at how suddenly she woke up. There it was, downtown Orlando. 

Oliver found an exit, and he drove off of the highway. Mary was now awake and ecstatic about being there, as Allie cheered along with her. We made it all the way here, and there’s no turning back now. There are many buildings, tall ones. They’re mostly all gray and windows were splattered all over them. I’ve never been here, or many other places. I was stuck in that shitty house my whole life. And I don’t, and will ever, regret leaving. 

“We’re here!” both Allie and Mary exclaimed together followed by a high five. Just as I was about to tell the girls how happy I was, I saw a reflection of a car on the side mirrors, it was two cars behind us. Not just any regular automobile or just any person in it, it was the police.

I panicked. No one else spotted the car, but me. They were all cheering and excited. “You guys, be quiet!” I finally said.

“For what? Aren’t you glad?!” Allie sang.

“Yes, very glad.” It was the truth, but at the moment, not so much. “Look behind us.” All at once everyone, but Oliver who looked through his mirrors, turned around to see. They all saw it. A great tension filled in our stolen car. "Shit."

“What do we do? What if they see us? Juvenile? Oh, no. I’m not going there.” Mary went on and on.

“Just calm down, they won’t see us. Oliver, just turn at the next light.” Dario calmed everyone down a little. But not for long, as the vehicle came right next to ours. I turned my head from the window so the police wouldn’t see my face. Oliver pulled on a black hat and kept driving. I looked out of the window, and I made eye contact with the cop. Bad idea. “Oliver, turn now.” I glanced again at the cop as his eyes started to squint at us. “Oliver, I mean it.” 

“I can’t right now. There’s nowhere to turn to.” The cop now looked at me and I knew, that he noticed, we were just kids. 

“OLIVER TURN NOW.” Then and there, I stood up and turned the wheel myself. I luckily turned at the light, and we made it safely as the police kept driving straight. Dario pulled me back into my seat.

“Are you crazy Elizabeth?” They all said at the same time.

I scoff. “Hah, it was either that, or get caught.” They all laughed along as I sighed in relief.