The Runaway

Chapter 1

Today is Tuesday April 18, 1995. I am seventeen years old. And I am the run away. Two yearst ago I ran away from St. Paul's orphanage. I remember when I was first told.
I was sitting in the girls bod bedroom where me and all the other girls sleep. I was sitting on my bed starring at the centered window on the far wall, when I heard Mrs. Ren call for me.
" Hazel... come down to my office please."
I heared her and knew that I should get down there. I walked out and down the stair case. I turned to my left, and stepped into her office, and she heard me and turned her chair to face me. I waited for her to speak, but she didn't
"What do you need me for Mrs. Ren?" I asked. Waiting for her answer. She sighed.
"Hazel...there is a new orphanage... Sophie Loves in Ohio..."
I knew. I knew what she was going to say next.
" ... And here at St. Paul's... as I am sure you know... we are over filled with children we have had to cut spending to get more beds... so in two weeks we will be sending you and some other girls over there." She said letting her words linger, as to mock me.
"No, no no no... you... you cant do that..." I stammered.
"I'm sorry Hazel it's not my decision." I started in right after her furious.
"But that's JUST THE THING! YOU DO... make the decisions. It's YOUR JOB!" My anger was out of control.
"Hazel!... Stop it! I am sorry that you are not okay with this, but THIS IS WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN! YOU WILL pack your things...and in two weeks YOU WILL... per mentally move Sophie Loves." I could hear her patients running thin. But mine was to.
I opened my mouth to say something but she cut me off.
"Not...another word...Hazel!"
I stood there anger rising. Starring directly at her.
"Hazel... YOU ARE...excused." She turned her chair away from me.
I don't need to be excused I thought. So I still stood there. She said not another word. Not that I can't use facial expressions. I wanted her to know my frustration with out words.
I shot her one last glare, then walked out.
I ran up the stairs and into the room. I jumped onto my bed grabbed my pillow and shoved it into my face and screamed. I screamed so loud that I didn't notice that Jaylnn had walked I after me.
"Hazel? She asked.
I heard her and embarrassment filled me. I turned around to face her.
"You okay?" She asked
"No." I said as I shook my head as I starred at the floor
You ok?" She asked and for some reason she sounded concerned.
I shook my head and looked down.
"Is this about Sophie Loves?" I looked up immediately.
"How do you know about Sophie Loves?" I asked very curious. I lifted my head up and meat her eyes
"I heard you and Mrs. Ren talking about it."
I exhaled. " How could she do that to me?" I rested my head in my hands. "Three years..." I lifted my head again.
"What?" Jaylnn interrupted confused.
"I had three years till I could leave this place."
"Well I have had my fair share of different orphanages. I have been to five different orphanages."
"Really?" I questioned.
" Yeah no one wanted me... just like my parents." I saw her tilt her head downwards so I didn't see her eye. I watched her as no noise came but a single tear.
" Jaylnn... come here." I said. She walked over to me and stood there. I patted the bed right in front of me. She sat there facing me.
"Jaylnn some one... some day IS going to want you... And you are only ten you have eight more years here... some one could want you." I looked down at her and noticed she had still been crying soundlessly. I moved a piece of her hair that was covering her eyes. Then that voice came again.
"Jaylnn... please come down here." Mrs. Ren asked. I put my hands in my lap.
"You should probably go before she gets mad." I said "Hey...I will see you later." She got off the bed then started to walk away, when she was half way towards the door she turned my way and looked at me, then wiped her tears and ran out.
I sat there for a while starring at the wall thinking about Jaylnn. That's so sad. I thought to myself. She doesn't feel wanted, and doesn't feel like she's loved. And I know how she feels. It sucks to have to move to different orphanages. She has been to five different orphanages. That's crazy and it sucks.
I sifted my weight on the bed which changed my position so I was laying on the wall. Then I turned my head to the one window. I than thought about what is outside the window. I sat up and kept gaze upon the window.
I turned my legs to the side of my bed and pushed my self to my feet. I walked up to the window still gazing at it. I rested my head and hand in the glass. The window was the only source of light in the room, well... we did have lanterns but those were only to be used at night, but not even then...We also used them when we have a power outage. Mrs. Ren and her ladies are very careful that "we don't use more than we need to." That is how they put it. They have vert strict rules. I realized that I had been starring straight out at the brick building next to the orphanage. I looked down and saw a girl and her mother walking. The girl couldn't be over six, her mouth was pink from the ice cream she kept licking that she held in her left hand. The in her right hand was her mothers hand pulling her along. Her mother was in a pantsuit with her cellphone pressed against her ear.
I realized I was upset. I wanted to be out there not in this orphanage. I turned around to look at my bed. It was a mess from me laying in it. I walked back over and straightened my cover and sheets. Then I walked out and into the kitchen for some water. I looked on the clock it was eleven thirty P. M. We ate lunch at one. And by we I mean the eleven year olds and up. That includes me.
We have two lunches since we have so many kids, if we were all in the same lunch we would drive the ladies crazy. We eat at one. Ten years and younger eat at eleven fifty. We have one hour for lunch.
I had an hour an a half to kill... and... I didn't know what to do with it. I just wandered around thinking about how I was being force to go to Sophie Loves. I knew she was out to get me. Mrs. Ren hated me, well... this time I wouldn't stand for it. I wouldn't let her do this to me. I needed to escape this. I knew I needed to do something but what?
Then it came to me. Escape. I needed to run away.