Trust

Chapter 3

I wake up, a sudden breeze blowing over me. I look next to me to see if my mom was still here. I'm greeted with a cold spot and no mom. I sigh, wishing she was still here. She probably had work just like every morning. I push myself off the bed, shivering when my feet touch the cool wood. I reach for my phone and discover a note lying next to it.

Lena,
I had to go to work but if you need anything just call my cell and I'll come home. Love you
-Mom

I set it back where it was and click the power button on my phone. The screen lights up and I see that I have 2 messages. Both from Derek.

Derek: You can't hide forever, Lena.
Derek: I will find you. And when I do, your mine.

I gulp as I read his message over and over again. I run to my closet and frantically search for a bag. I find the one I'm looking for and start grabbing clothes. I pack the bag full and change out of my pajamas to something more comfortable. I walk out of my room, leaving my phone on the nightstand. After getting some essentials from my bathroom and the kitchen, I walk out of my house but through the back door. I begin walking the trail yet again, stopping at the tree. I walk over to it and place my hand on its bark.

"Goodbye for now, thanks for being my safe place." I walk away, feeling more scared then ever. I trek through all the mud and fallen limbs, trying to find my way to the road. The only reason I went this way is to where Derek can't find me. This is the only way I can get away from him. Im not safe at home, he knows where I live, I don't have any friends to stay with, and I would see him at school. I have to run.

It's dark by the time I reemerge from the woods, seeing a store light from within the woods. I find the road and walk along the side of it, looking for a bus stop. Luckily I see one not too far from me. I collapse on the bench, exhausted from all the walking. I lean against the side of the small shelter and pull a water from my bag. I quickly drink it and discard it in the trash can beside me. I can see the headlights of the bus coming down the hill and pick my things up. I stand, moving my hang to shield my eyes from the blinding head lights. It screeches to a full stop in front of me and the doors whoosh open.

"Where are you headed?" The grubby, tired looking bus driver asks me when I stopped in front of him. I look over at the board that lists all the stops. I scan them until I reach the last stop listed and look back over at the impatient driver.

"Brevard, North Carolina."  I state, pulling out my money I managed to get before I left.

"You sure kid? That's about a 11 hour ride. I don't go that far so you'd have to buy 3 tickets for each bus." He explains, typing on his hand held phone. I figure up how much I will need and hand him the money. He counts it and hands me my tickets, looking at me suspiciously. I gulp and grab my tickets, hurrying to a seat in the back. I'm lucky enough to find a seat by myself so I won't be sitting with a stranger. I lean against the window, double checking to make sure my phone can't be tracked. I watch as the trees that hid me disappear behind me, taking my suffering with them.

Only a few people got on and off the bus as we made stops after stops. One girl in particular looked around my age but there was something about her that made me continue to look at her. She's still on the bus with me, sitting a few seats in front of me. She looks to be sleeping but occasionally she will open her eyes and look around her. I glance down at my phone, seeing that it's 10:42 pm. I shiver as a gust of wind blows through the bus as the doors open. There's only about thirteen people on the small bus, including the girl and me. I gather my stuff from my seat and move towards her. Her eyes flies open when she hears me near her.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." I gently say, smiling. She just stares at me and quickly scans me over. "I'm Lena," I offer, holding out my hand. She takes it, lightly shaking it. She relaxes a little when she starts to realize I'm not going to hurt her, but I can still see she has her guard up still. "May I sit?" I point to the empty spot next to her. She nods, sliding over so I can sit next to her.

"Ally," She suddenly says, looking over at me. I grin, happy she told me her name.

"So where are you headed?" I ask, trying to make conversation.

"I guess whenever I feel like getting off at." Ally replies. I look down to see she has a bag with her that looks pretty full of stuff.

"You ran away." I state, realizing that we are more similar than I thought.

"You can't tell anyone! Please, I can't let them find me and make me go back to that horrible place." She pleads, grabbing my arm. I place my hand over hers, hoping to reassure her.

"Calm down, I'm not going to tell as long as you don't tell anyone about me." I smirk as I lift my own bag and show her. Her face turns from panic to confusion. "I ran away too." I clarify for her. She completely relaxes as she processes what I told her.

"Thank you. I thought for a second there you were going to tell someone."

"Guess we are more similar than we thought." I laugh, drawing the attention of the other passengers. I lower my head and hide behind the seat. Ally bursts out laughing at me and I blush.

Four hours later, Ally and I are still talking. The bus driver comes over the intercom to announce another one of the stops. This is the stop right before I have to get off and wait for the other bus. Ally grabs her things and stands. I stand with her and move so she can get out of the seat. She surprises me when she wraps her arms around me in an embrace. I hug her back and she starts to walk to the front when I get an idea.

"Hey wait!" I shout, walking up to her just before she got off. "Why don't you stay with me? We can stay together and help each other?" The real reason I want her to stay is that I'm scared of being alone. Terrified that Derek will find me. I watch as she thinks it over before smiling at me.

"Okay." She answers, stepping back up the steps. I squeal and attack her in a hug. We go back to our seat before we get yelled at by the other people. This time I'm by the window and she's on the outside. I curl up, feeling safer than I felt when I first stepped on.