[discontinued] Fear Can Not Be Vanquished (Vinny Mauro)

As We Run Under The Stars, Through Cemetery Backyards

I stepped into the English classroom and all heads turned to me.

"Miss Cooper, care to tell me where you were?"

"Well, Joan, I was in the hallway talking to my brothers. Where were you at the start of study hall this morning?" I countered. Her eyes widened and she visibly gulped.

"Miss Cooper, that is not appropriate language, principal's office now." I rolled my eyes and stormed out of the room, marching right up to the principal's office and banging on the door. It was roughly opened by my mother who had dishevelled hair and lipstick all around her lips. I leant over and peered past her, seeing the school's principal trying to fix his pants. My eyebrows were half way up my forehead by now and I was disgusted.

"So, when Dad dies, you go out and suck off your kids' French teacher?! That's fucked!" I yelled. Mum glared at me before slamming the door on my face. I huffed and ran out of the school, not even bothering to grab my skateboard as I started the 50 minute trek back home. Tears welled up in my eyes as I thought about my Dad. He was the only one in my family I was actually close to. I told him everything, he taught me how to play drums, he taught me how to play guitar, he taught me how to sing. He was my best friend, but some serial killer had to take him away for his sick, psychopathic needs.

"MADDIE!" Someone yelled, accompanied by heavy footsteps. I turned around and saw Syn running toward me, a concerned expression on his face.

"Where are you going?" He asked, holding my shoulders in place so I wouldn't run off.

"I'm going home." I replied angrily, wanting to just get away.

"Then where are you going?" Syn questioned, looking into my eyes.

"To see Dad." His eyebrows raised and he looked at me expectantly.

"I'm going to Scranton." I continued, looking away in shame.

"And where are you going to stay in Scranton Maddie?"

"I don't know. A hotel."

"Fine. Just, keep in contact, please?" 

"Of course. Thanks Syn." I called, running to my house. I barged through and straight down to my bedroom. I grabbed a duffel bag and started stuffing it with skinny jeans, band tees and underwear. I threw in my bras and jumpers, socks and my only other pair of shoes. I took my school bag off my shoulders and opened it, dumping my books onto the bed. I grabbed my laptop, chargers, songbook and my large box full of different medications. I picked up my black guitar case that was covered in stickers, holding my midnight blue ESP Viper. My backpack rested on my shoulders, the duffel bag slung over my shoulder. I walked up the stairs and out of my room, punching 9 holes in the wall, in the shape of a smiley face. I slammed the front door as I marched to the cemetery, knowing this would be the last time I'd see my Dad in a while. I walked down the rows of headstones and flower covered graves until I found it. There was graffiti all over it and a part in the top right of the headstone had been broken off. I dropped to my knees as I cried over the destroyed memorial to my father. I stayed crying for, hours, I guess. It was dark now, and rain started to fall from the sky, piercing my skin and freezing over my heart. A flashlight was shon at the headstone, making me look up in alarm. A few rows over, 2 fit security guards were looking at me with stony expressions. I jumped up, picking up my guitar and duffel bag, sprinting toward the entrance. I could hear their heavy footsteps close behind me, so I took a chance and jumped over a headstone and into the next row of graves. I pushed my legs faster, until there was a giant memorial a few meters in front of me. I started basically backpedalling as I tried to slow down and turn the corner. I only just made it, though the security guard behind me couldn't say the same. I could hear his panicked cries as he tried to slow down, before there was a loud groan of pain. I smiled to myself and continued running away from the last guard. I made it out of the cemetery but it didn't stop there. My arms were about to fall off and my legs were burning. My lungs hurt and my heart was in my throat as I sprinted away from the guard, toward the airport. I ducked across streets and in through alleys, eventually losing the guard. I walked the remaining 15 minutes, yearning for a comfortable to chair to sit on for 5 minutes. I stepped into the airport, immediately getting glares from kids, old people, rich bitches, men in mid life crisis' and everyone in between. I joined the back of the line and pulled out my phone.

No new notifications

Well, isn't that nice. No one is worried or questioning the fact that I've been missing for the past 6 and a half hours. I stared at my lock screen for the remaining time I had to wait in line, the photo of Leo, Logan, Georgia and I. It brought tears to my eyes, that I thought they were good friends, but leave me in a heartbeat. I dropped off my duffel bag and guitar at the check in as I bought the plane ticket to Scranton, Pennsylvania for a new start.

If only it were that easy.