Another Way Out

'Axl! You better stop right now!'

That's me. Axl Adler. Yes, I'm a girl and yes, my name is Axl. I guess my parents wanted a boy. I was currently running from the people who wanted to throw me in with another foster family. We've done this so many times before that it has become a sort-of routine. I run, they catch me, they give me to a new 'family' and then the process starts all over again.

My shoulder length hair is pink at the moment but as soon as I get the chance to run I will change it again. It helps me stay hidden for longer. It is blowing behind me in a tangled mess but I was too concentrated on pumping my legs faster to care. My thin body was clad in black skinny jeans, a Green Day shirt and bright green vans. To go with the look, I was panting heavily and running like a mad woman. I should really be used to this by now.

'Do we really have to do this again, Axl?'

'Yes sir!' I said mockingly and slightly out of breath while rounding a sharp corner at a dangerous speed. With flailing arms and a gruff humff I fell flat on my butt, injuring my lower back, only to have several officers form a circle around me in an attempt to stop me from running away again.

'Well, well Adler look who won again,' a younger cop called down to me. I growled at the use of my last name while refusing his helping hand and pushing myself up. Old Donald finally came round the corner at a leisurely stroll. He was the one who kept shouting to me during the Chase.

I gave him my signature cocky smirk and started chatting like we were having a casual conversation.

'So Donald, how the wife? Kids? I mean I've been great lately until today when someth-'

'Cut the crap Axl, you're coming with me.'

By this point my cool had totally gone out of the window and had been replace by anger. I guess you could say my fuse was shorter than others.

'Why?! So you can throw me in some home where I get treated like shit? They only take me in for the money and you know it!' I screamed while he calmly held my hands back so that I could hit anyone, accidentally or not. I wasn't expecting what came next and although it held some hope I knew bad would still follow.

'No Axl, you're coming home with me. I'm going to take you in and not for the money. You'll be meeting my wife and kids as well so I'm expecting you to treat them with respect because they don't know you like I do.'

My mouth hung open at what he said but I didn't want to show him the glint of hope inside me so I followed him to our form of transportation. Instead of going in the normal beat up white car with blue company stripes down the side he lead me to a black Ford family car. I headed towards the passenger seat until he pushed me into the back, closing the door with a slam.

'But Donald, we've, like, gone through so much together man.' I whined sarcastically.

'Which is why you're sitting in the back with child-lock on,' he shot back, walking away.

'Harsh,' I said with a huff. I had good reason to run and they came in the form of cigar burns up my arms, bones that stuck out from undernourishment and the fear that had been embedded in me from a young age.

Instead of giving Donald the satisfaction of thinking he'd finally got me to behave because of the big surprise I just gave him the silent treatment. I sat in the car with my arms crossed while Donald watched me from the other side of the lot where he was talking to his colleagues. About me most likely.

My black backpack was at my feet filled with what belongings I had. It looked limp and empty despite holding all my possessions. It only contained a couple pairs of jeans and band tees, as well as other essential clothing. I had also managed to swipe some money under the radar from my last foster parent.

I saw my new foster-father heading towards me so I totally turned my body away from him so he knew clearly what I was doing. He sat in the drivers seat with a sigh and turned towards my shielded figure.

'Really, this is what you want to do? Make it difficult for both of us?'

He gave me time to answer and when I didn't he ran his hand down his face with an exasperated fine. Was he really expecting me to be okay with all of this? I tried to turn further away from him, which only resulted in pain to shoot up my freshly wounded back. I had obviously managed to cut it when it scraped against the floor making my shirt stick to my back. I let out a small whimper of pain before I could cover it.

Donald turned to me with a concerned look.

'What did you hurt when you fell?' He asked genuinely

I continued to ignore him and through the reflection of the window I saw a look of worry shoot across his face, but I knew it was fake. If he was really worried about my welfare he just leave me alone and let me live my own life without being ruled over.

-

I must have fallen asleep on the drive because when we arrived at our destination I felt my shoulders being gently shook. In my half asleep state my body jolted up and automatically curled into a defensive ball. I felt myself beging to tremble in anticipation for the blow that I was sure to come . . . but it never did.

'Ummm . . . Axl, are you okay?' Donald's confused voice spoke up. 

I was instantly relaxed and tensed at the same time. I knew he wouldn't hurt me but I bet I looked really weak then. I let my eyes open slowly and a nervous laugh to escape my lips. Jumping out the car I straightened my clothes and flung my backpack over one shoulder.

'Right - it's about midnight at the moment so I'll show you to your room and you can meet the family tomorrow.'

Still holding up my silent act I just nodded my head indicating for him to lead the way before I walked up the chalky white steps behind him into the royal blue door. Another new home.