Run Away With Her

Part 5

"Crap!" I silently shouted.

My fall had such an impact on my ribs. I was already fragile and here I was, putting myself at risk again. I got up before the car could stop and I ran into the forest nearby. And again, I was gone. I had gotten some money from them and I was good enough to go.

I had no intention in ever seeing these folks again. Luckily, the forest hid me well. I crossed over to the other side, finding myself at a gas station and behind it a mall. I walked over there, trying to make sure my body still looks half alright and I started getting dizzy. I shook my head and focused my eyes intensely at the door. I had to get some supplies if I was to live by myself and always on the run.

As I was passing the gas station, I kept hearing whistles from the workers there. They were probably mentally commenting on the way I was dressed. It mind raped me. Finally, arriving at the mall, I opened the door to the scent of butterflies and strawberries. I looked around and nothing looked familiar. Seemed like it had been forever since I was last at a mall. I looked for the nearest clothing store, and entered. I bought an outfit, and walked out. I swear I heard someone call out 'Unathi'. But I ignored, it wasn't my name so my first instinct was not to turn. But when a felt an unfamiliar hand on my shoulder, I instantly turned, ready to pounce.

Freya's face stopped me. Behind her, Warona and beside her, Motheo. 'Great,' I thought sarcastically. They looked at me. Their eyes piercing into my soul. I just wasn't ready for all their questions and all.

"Where did you think you were going?" Freya smirked.

"What were you thinking," Warona added.

"You're already hurt, then you decide to jump out of a moving car?" Motheo widened his eyes.

My eyes, narrowed. I was not looking at them, nor was I even listening. I was too distracted.

**

"Thembie, stop!" he laughed.

We had been playing for 2 hours straight and nothing seemed wrong. Our happiness ended once mom walked through the door. She looked exhausted, and her eyes were bloodshot. It was the first time, I saw her like this. My brother and I went over to her and hugged her. We had hoped it would boost her mood, our plan failed. She didn't even hug us back, she went straight to the kitchen. From the cupboard, she removed a wine glass that my father had bought for her. She trotted towards the fridge, opened it, and reached for the red wine. On usual occasions, her and father would drink the white wine together and laugh together about their days. Then they'll tuck my brother and I in bed and kiss out cheeks. One of them would read us a story while the other would attempt to act the scene out, make it look more realistic to us. Sometimes they allowed our minds to wonder. But tonight was different. Father wasn't home yet.

"Mom?" my brother dared.

She turned to us without saying a word.

"Where's father?"

For the first time, she let a tear roll down her cheek. I already knew where this was going, but my brother was still young. He wouldn't understand.

"Gone," she started. "He left, and he's never coming back. Your father has another family that he loves very much." She continued before my brother could ask questions.

I don't think he had any. Because after, it went silent. Then she laughed at her own misfortune. Two kids, a low paying job and no father/husband. She was hurting.

Three years later, she dropped me off at school. And that was the last time I saw her.