The Start

Chapter Eleven

Braden's pov

After leaving the hotel in a rush we hit Colorado. I tried to make the best of it telling myself we were on a road trip. We made it through Colorado into Oklahoma when I decided to stop. I pulled into a Dollar Store parking lot and turned off the car. It was silent for a moment. 

"Why did we stop?" Jade asked

 "Well, there is an atm and we need a new car" I replied

 "We're stealing a car?" she said 

" No, you're getting the money I'm stealing the car," I told her holding out the credit card.

 I get out of the car and she does too. 

"Be quick," I said as I started walking to the other side of the parking lot to find and steal a car. I turned and watched her and John walk into the store to find the atm. I walked over to see a sleek black Chevy Cruze. I went over and took the rubber band and string out of my pocket and got to work opening the car in minutes due to practice. I looked at the store to see Jade and John walking out and over to where I stood we hurriedly got in the car and I started the engine.

Once back onto the highway I start for Arkansas. I began to get stuck in my head thinking. I had lived next to Jade for as long as I can remember. I remember moving into the house next door. Jade and I were both six years old at the time. we used to do everything together. We rode bikes, played at the playground, and even played pranks on our parents. We were mischevious children and always got in trouble but we were partners in crime. Fun how now we are quite literally partners in crime. I wonder what happened to us. I know we drifted somewhat apart. We no longer spent 24/7 together and didn't really talk. I wonder if we stayed like we were when we were children if we would be in this postion now. I wonder if I could have saved Jade.

Jade's pov

After leaving the dollar store we got back onto the highway. After a few minutes, I look over at Braden but he's lost in thought. I wonder what he's thinking so hard about.

"What are you thinking about?"

Braden visibly paled and cleared his throat. I already knew that his next words would be a complete lie. Even when we were children Braden never had a poker face. He couldn't lie to save his life but I, on the other hand, could and did quite frequently.

"Just what we're gonna do once we get to New Orleans." He whispered.

See that was another thing about Braden if his pale face didn't give him away his voice always would. I wanted to call him out on his lying but even more, I wanted to ask him a question that had been haunting me since he found John and me over my mother's body. I open my mouth to ask but my fear silenced me.

"What are we gonna do?" I asked instead.

"I don't really know." He glanced over at me.

"Get a hotel, maybe." He told me.

"That sounds like a plan." I tried to smile.

I looked in the back seat at my little brother. I loved him dearly and wanted what was best for him. Glancing at Braden I wondered if we should leave John at the next gas station. He should be with dad where he could have a childhood and friends. I took that from him, I took his mother from him, I killed our mother. I didn't notice the tears running down my face until one hit my hand. I looked down to see it on my palm. Slowly it spread and turned a maroon color. I watched as it dripped off my hand and onto my jeans soaking into them.

"Jade?" I hear in a whisper.

"Jade!" It grew louder.

"JADE!" I jerked my head up to see Braden looking at me.

I snapped my head back to my hand but it was just the clear tear running down my palm toward my wrist. I looked back at Braden.

"Yeah?" 

"Are you okay?" He asked me a slight look of panic on his face as he returned his eyes to the road.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I bite my lip trying to shake the image of the blood running down my hand.

Braden's pov

I turned on the radio and tried to see if anyone was talking about the murder. Luckily it seemed no one was. All I knew is I wanted to put as much distance between us and home as I could for the time being. Using one hand without taking my eyes off the road I grab a water from the back seat and place it in my seat using my legs and one hand to open it before drinking have the bottle and placing it in the console. I knew we'd have a few more hours left since we had to drive through Arkansas. However, Seeing the "Welcome to Arkansas" sign made me sigh with relief.

"Were gonna be okay Jade."

"Who are you trying to convince?" She didn't move just still starring out the window.

"It doesn't matter."

And it didn't matter as long as it was true and we'd really be okay. I tried to picture what our lives would be like after this. I knew it would be very different. I thought of the things I'd never do again. Like go to highschool, play basketball with the coach yelling at me to stop flirting with the cheerleaders, or even see my family again. I realized that even though it had only been two days I already missed all of that. I begin to wonder if I've made a big mistake going on the run with Jade. Or was my mistake walking in that house in the first place? Which one was I didn't know. I had no choice now. I am on the run with Jade and I had no idea what to do.

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