Criminal

Chapter 1

I took one last look in the mirror at myself before I pulled the scissors out of the top drawer. I held out my long hair and I chopped it off. I tried to make it even out, but it wouldn't.

I made it a little past shoulders length and then I brushed it out. I figured it would have to do for now. I ripped open the box of hair dye and I immediately started to skim the instructions.

20 minutes later I was a dirty blonde, my dark hair was no longer present. It made my brown eyes look pretty, but I couldn't stop here.

I opened the little box of green contacts and I peeled back the wrapper. I carefully set the contact on my finger and pushed it onto my eye. I did the same with the other and my eyes kept watering. I picked up a towel and dabbed them, but it burned. I cringed when I saw my reflection in the mirror.

I picked up the eyeliner I had also bought and I drew a quick perfect streak on my eyelid. I did the same to the next and I admired my art skills, they sure could come in handy.

I looked myself in the mirror and I would have never guessed it was actually me; Caroline . Now I would go by Jillian Potter, which was my middle name and then my mothers maiden name. I figured it would all work, I have been deciding the name situation for quite some time now.

I unlocked the bathroom door and I grabbed my supplies. I wandered back up the stairs and into the room I shared with 5 other kids. I pulled out my duffel bag and I shoved all of my things in the side pocket. Then I opened the main zipper and I lifted my pillow, pulling out my little stuffed dog. I gently set him inside and I headed to my dresser to gather my clothing.

When I was 4 years old, my mom had bought me that stuffed dog. I always called it my best friend, and now I was 19 years old, and it sadly was still my best friend. Both of my parents were killed in a car accident when I was 12 years old. I have been in foster care ever since.

I was supposed to leave on my 18th birthday, but my foster parents won't let me. They cut off my contact with the world, I had nothing to say about it. I had nothing here. No cell phone, no TV, no music. Only my guitar.

They had to take me out sometimes, so I guess it wasn't all that bad. It gave me a chance to plan my escape. Every time we went I had no choice but to steal something that could modify my looks.

I started with an eyeliner, to hair dye, and then to a very expensive pair of contacts. Now while everyone was at work and school, I was going to get out.

There were cameras all over the main floor in the house, but after such a long time of them scaring me to do nothing, I don't think they even watched the tapes. To be honest, I wasn't even sure they had them running anymore.

I finished packing the little clothing I had, and then I grabbed my bag and headed to the bathroom. I gathered a brush, tooth brush, toothpaste, all of that good stuff. When I had all of that packed, I headed downstairs, grabbing my guitar case on the way.

I grabbed some boxes of candy that they hid in the top cupboard and I shoved them in my bag. It was good candy too, like skittles, warheads, gummy bears.

I went over to the phone in the dining space and I dialed the transportation number. After arranging a taxi to come, I went to the front room waiting. We lived miles away from our neighbors, it was just open space. I used to love living here, until I found out what it was like to be abused.

The taxi came and he drove me to the train station. There I chose to go all the way to North Carolina. That was far, considering I am from Ohio.

I got onto the train with the little money I had, and the price was just right. I still had enough to do what I planned to, and it was perfect in my eyes.