Fix me...

Chapter two

John's pov
I slammed the car door, ignoring my father's drunk screams. The metallic taste of blood lined my mouth as I tried to ignore the pain throughout my body. As I put the key into the ignition, the asshole stumbled out of the front door, cursing me rather loudly.
"Go fuck yourself, you son of a bitch." I muttered under my breath, backing out of the driveway and bolting it down the road. I looked at the car's clock. 4:36 a.m...

I sighed to myself in happiness and disbelief.
I did it. I made it out.
I chuckled to myself, which turned into cheerful laughter.
"Whoohoo! Fuck yeah!" I yelled, basically jumping in my seat. You can think I'm crazy, but remember this;
I've been trying to get out of that house since I was ten years old. Nine years later, I've finally escaped.
Thank you, mother. I silently pray to the heavens, then flip through the radio. After a few stations, I stop on a song I haven't heard in a long time.

Hold, hold on, hold on to me.
Cause I'm a little unsteady, a little unsteady.
Hold, hold on, hold on to me.
Cause I'm a little unsteady, a little unsteady.

Alex. I need to find Alex.

"400 dollars? Please, I-I don't have that much money, and I need this fixed!" I begged the man behind the counter. He pursed his lips in thought, looking at the broken phone. He shook his head and gingerly pushed the mess of smashed glass and plastic back towards me.
"I'm sorry, there's nothing we can do." The man said. I sighed heavily as I walked out of the store, throwing my phone in the garbage. I sank into the car seat, rubbing my temples.
I can't get in contact with Alex...how will I find him?
I started up the car, and continued down the road. I checked the time. 9:04 a.m. I had been driving for almost five hours. I was going to need gas soon, but I'd taken a few gallons from the house garage, so that wasn't a problem. I kept driving for another forty minutes or so before I stopped at a gas station in a small town. After I filled up the car, I locked it and went inside. I ordered a cup of coffee and bought three granola bars. I sheepishly turned to the cashier, who was eyeing me suspiciously.
"Uh, excuse me...what state is this?" I asked quietly as I paid for the items. He raised his eyebrows, but answered anyway.
"Virginia." He said as he handed me back extra cash. I thanked him and went back to the car. I had made pretty good time, I should be close to my destination by tomorrow. I checked the map, finding the small words 'King's College' at the bottom of New York. That's where I was headed.

Virginia...
I haven't been in this state, or so far from home for that matter, in years. This state is where Camp Lion is. This state is where I made my first friends. This is the state where I met Alexander. I smiled in thought of him, that perfect boy. I wonder if he'll take me back after what he sees I've become, how broken of a person I really am. I glanced down to see faded scars on my wrists. Let's just say, those are the few injuries that weren't from my father's beatings. I glance in the rear view mirror to see my busted bottom lip, the dry blood making the bruise seem worse. I wipe it with my sweatshirt sleeve, licking the leftover blood.

I pulled over on the side of the road at nightfall, my body was tired and my mind was foggy. If I had done my mapping correctly, I was in Pennsylvania, which meant I could make to New York by noon tomorrow. After making sure the doors were locked, I closed my eyes, drifting to sleep with thoughts of Alexander.

I woke up very early, the sun had barely touched the edge of the horizon. I gobbled down the two remaining granola bars, and chugged the leftover half of my coffee. Sure, it was cold and bitter as hell, but it would keep me awake for the drive.
I promise, Alex,

I promise that I'll find you.

Alex's pov
I sighed as I folded and packed the last few shirts for college. I zipped up my bag and walked down the stairs, grabbing my book bag. As I walked out the door and to George and Martha's car, I get a text from the group chat.