Missing Streams

Snow Day - 33

Water slapped the tiled floor as I tapped my fingers against the wall. The boys were taking showers and I stood near the door, keeping watch.

I hoped no one would wake up.

I looked at my feet, trying to remember where I had gotten those shoes. It had been so long ago. The semester wasn't even over when I was hopping on a plane, and now it was September 18th.

How time flies.

I sighed and turned my attention back to the door. I had to be on guard in case anyone got suspicious and checked to see who was taking a shower this late at night. Or this early in the morning, I guess. It was somewhere between 2 and 3 am, I wasn't paying close attention.

It wouldn't be long now. We were almost out.

***

My breath hitched as I heard glass breaking against the floor. I had hoped they wouldn't escalate past yelling, but I couldn't stay there.

I pulled a sweater tight around my shoulders and climbed out of the window. The snow crunched underneath my feet when I hit the ground, and I shivered. It would've been nice to stay inside tonight - I just hoped Sam was still awake.

Any lights in our backyard had been broken for years, so I was hidden by darkness as I treaded towards the back lane. I couldn't risk revealing myself in the light of the streetlights.

Another faint crash from the house and I picked up the pace. I didn't want to be anywhere nearby if either of them found my room empty.

I slid between the boards of our broken fence and felt safer. I glanced at our barely functional car for a moment before I started walking. I needed to get far enough that they wouldn't start following my footprints to find me. But I didn't want to risk cracking my skull open, so I walked instead of running over snow and ice. I needed boots for the winter, but hadn't gotten them yet. I had only managed to get one pair so far, and Sam had them. I wanted to get a pair for Max before I got one for myself, so I had no idea when I'd be able to put away my sneakers. I wasn't worried though, seeing as I'd gone many a winter without boots or even a jacket.

I turned onto a street without streetlights that led towards Sam's house. My absence had been reported to the police more than once, and I knew better than to get caught.

I shoved my hands into my pockets, gripping my switchblade tightly.

My toes were numb by the time I reached Sam's house, and snuck into her backyard like I had snuck out of mine.

Her room was in the basement, so I crouched down and knocked on the window closest to her bed. I hoped to god she was awake, or would wake up. The lights were off, but that didn't tell me anything. I was about to knock again when Sam appeared at the window.

She opened it and looked at me with worry, "Scarlet? What happened?"

"Nothing happened Sammy, I left before anything could happen. Can I come in?"

She laughed, stepping away from the window, "Of course you can."

"Thanks." I slid through the window, bringing in snow with me as I fell on the concrete floor. I brushed off my legs and looked at Sam. I offered her a smile.

She didn't take it, "Scar, you can't keep doing this."

"What else am I supposed to do?"

"I... don't know. We need somewhere safe to live. Somewhere permanent." Sam sighed, looking at the ground.

I shrugged off my sweater and wrapped her in a hug, "I've almost got enough money saved up for that truck. Another week or so and we won't be walking everywhere anymore. I promise it'll get better."

Sam didn't say anything, only pushing her face into my shoulder.

***

"How do I look?" James smiled at me and pulled at the hem of his shirt. A dark blue shirt and black jeans and - I laughed - those same red sneakers. I recognized them instantly.

"You look great." I grinned, "But a little cold. Got a jacket or something?"

"In my locker." He turned around to look at Simon's stall, "You done yet, buddy?"

"You can't rush art." Simon snickered, "It takes time to look this good."

James rolled his eyes and turned back to me, "So once he's done, we're ready to go?"

"Pretty much." I shrugged, "Anything else you need to do?"

"No, I was just worried about the weather."

"The weather?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, you haven't seen?" James giggled, "We should go look outside. Then Simon can catch up to us."

"Sounds like a plan." I grinned, wondering what the weather held.

***

"What the fuck?" I stared at the sprawling grounds before me, "It's... it's..."

"Snowing." James smiled, looking around, "Right in time for my birthday."

"Your birthday?"

"Yeah." He laughed, "September 18th. First time I've ever had snow for my birthday, that's for sure."

I grinned, "Wow. This is..."

"Indescribable?" James offered.

"Fucking awesome." I laughed, taking a step forward. I watched the snow depress under my foot and I grinned from ear to ear, "It's like Christmas is just around the corner."

James laughed loudly this time, "Scar, it isn't even Thanksgiving yet, let alone Halloween."

"A girl can dream."

***

"Do you think the snow will affect the plans, Scar?" Simon looked very worried for what wasn't even half an inch of snow yet.

"No, we'll be fine. It might affect us later on, but our plans to escape will work out fine."

"That reminds me." James frowned, "You still haven't explained the plans yet."

"Oh, yeah." I grinned, "I guess I can tell you guys now."