Same Difference

Chapter 5-Running

I marched out of the lobby and past the flustered manager. As soon as I was outside I stopped a cab. 'Please take me to the closest mall.' He nodded and started driving.

After about twenty minutes he stopped outside a huge mall. It was the classic, filled with teenagers, parent’s nightmare mall. Perfect for what I want.

I handed over the cab fare and headed over to the mall that catered to teenagers.

I spent an hour looking for the outfit I wanted and bought it with my card. Might as well put the trust fund to use. I changed in the bathrooms and stuffed my old clothes in a bin. Everything but the locket went. I'll have to explain what happened to Logan's clothes later but I'll worry about that later.

I had bought skin tight black jeans with a pattern made up of small metal studs on one leg, a tight black V-neck tank top and impossibly high red spike heels to complete it. I added a studded leather cuff bracelet.

It still doesn't feel finished.

I walked along the mall looking at the various shops until I saw a tattoo and piercing shop. I know what I want now. I walked in and spoke to the man at the counter, he didn't ask my age or if I was sure about my decision. He just took my money and got on with it.

I almost screamed as the ring went through the skin of my belly button. It was the worst thing I've ever felt. I dug my nails into the chair and took deep breaths.

In.

Out.

In.

Out.

Don't scream!

That's only the first one. The guy placed the gun near the top of my ear, punched the button and again lower down.

Holy mother of... It actually wasn't as bad as my belly button. Huh.

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When I left the shop my trust fund had lost a tiny fraction of the money in there and I now had a belly ring, two piercings at the top of my left ear and one at the top of my right ear. I don't think I could have taken any more pain today. At least I only have one more stop: the hair dresser.

I handed over my card to pay for my new hairdo and smiled. This is going to give them a shock. I now have dark violet streaks running throughout my black hair. It actually looks pretty and rebel-ish at the same time.

Speaking of time, I glanced at the salon clock. It's been four hours since I ran away from the hotel and I'm hungry. Food court here I come!

I sat at one of the back tables and ate my kid’s size pizza. Just as I was sipping my ice tea a blond guy about my age sat down at my little table.

'Um, I'm sorry about this but my friends dared me to ask you for your number.' He nervously looked at me. Well, he's cute.

'What's your name?'

'Alexander but people call me Alex.' He's cute with a cute name.

'Got a pen?' He nodded and handed over a black pen. I took his arm so he was sitting close to me and I wrote on the back of his hand. "Evelyn 083 653 7644"

He smiled and went back to his friends who look shocked. Ha, this rebel thing is fun.

My phone buzzed in my pocket and I pulled it out. It's been buzzing for the past four hours. I answered it expecting my dad. It was Alex.

'You’re really stupid, ya know that right?'

'What?'

'Did you really think I liked you? Stupid bitch.'

He hung up before I could respond, I looked up to see his table was empty.

I patted my pocket, my card was still in my back pocket but my wallet was missing. It only had about R100 in it, no cards but I was still pissed off. He stole from me!

I started walking through the mall until I spotted them, a group of boys laughing and checking out girls. Alex didn't see me until I taped his shoulder. When he turned I pulled back my fist and punched as hard as I could. There was a sickening crack and he fell in a heap on the ground clutching his nose. His friends stared at me in shock, fear and hatred.

I glanced at my hand to see a streak of blood across my knuckles. Ewww! I stooped down, wiped my hand on Alex's shirt and then calmly walked away trying not to stumble in my sky high heels.

I feel so bad-ass right now!

Ooooh! Are those M&Ms? I almost ran into the sweet store and grabbed the delectable chocolate candies. I made sure it was the no-nuts one and ran to the counter. I handed over my card and grinned. I absolutely love M&Ms, they're my kryptonite.

As soon as I got my card back I opened my sweets. Mmmm, heaven.

I checked my phone. 6 Missed calls from James, 11 missed calls from my dad and... What!? 59 missed calls from Logan!? There was also a text message from him.

*Please call me! or text me. Just let me know ur safe.*

I saved his number and replyed.

*I'm safe.*

His reply came immediately.

*Where r u? I'll come get you.*

Huh, no way.

*No, I'm still not ready to come back.*

I turned off my phone and walked into toys-R-us, looking at the different displays. I've always felt safe in toy shops, until now.

Two men stood on either side of me and grasped an arm. They began walking me to the exit.

'Aaaaaaaaaaaah! HELP MEEEEEE! I'M BEING KIDNAPPED HERE!!! HELLLP!' I screamed at the top of my lungs but they already had me outside so I kicked my legs and trashed around. I managed to kick one of them in the face before I was pushed into a large limo.

Now I'm in Shit.

Author's note: I was listening to skillet while I wrote this. They're actually pretty good.

XOXO