Lilly In The Storm

Chapter Fourteen

       I run as fast as my small legs could carry me, refusing to look back at the home I once knew. The blazing snow stings my face as I dash through the early morning. Zero and Jezz are by my side while Hops is suspending from the grip of my hands. I never thought it'd come to this again, but at least my friends are with me this time. I am not alone, they are cheering me on.

       In all honesty, I don't know where I'm going. My friends guide me through the treacherous winds. The one thing I do know is that I do not need a destination, I need people who care. They're the only ones who do, so I stay alongside them. That's the reason everyone wants them gone, people simply can not swallow the fact that I have found friends who care for me enough to support me in my choices no matter how it affects them. Just look at them, they chose to run through a blizzard because they know what is best for me.

       Between gusts of wind, I begin to hear something following close behind me. Footsteps, but who do they belong to? It can't be Jezz and Zero, the steps are too heavy to be theirs. Perhaps it was my parents coming after me. No, it's the middle of the night, they couldn't possibly know I'm gone yet. I build up the courage to turn around, there was nothing there. The steps stop when I turn to face in the direction of the sound.

       I turn to Zero. "I hear it too." He whispers.

       "Me too." Hops chimes in.

       We all snap our heads to Jezz for another opinion. She nods in agreement having heard the conversation unfold.

       The four of us continue to walk, simply shrugging off the odd footsteps. Maybe it is just the heavy winds blowing around the leftover twigs and leaves from the fall months. We come across a convenient store where we decide to find some snacks for along the way. As we enter, we feel the refreshing warm air rush across our face. We each let out sighs of relief. The cashier waves to us as we wander the store. I wish I could stay forever.

       The clock reads two in the morning, just knowing this fact begins to make me drowsy. My eyes become so heavy that I rest them for a few seconds. I look to Zero for answers. "Zero, I'm tired. Where are we gonna sleep tonight?"

       "Wait patiently." Zero whispers to me. He quickly looks across the store to the cashier to be sure he isn't suspicious. "I have a plan."

       "For what?" I ask, feeling both nervous and puzzled.

       Zero gives me a small smile. "We're sleeping here."

       I give a small, happy gasp. He covers my mouth before I can say anymore.

       We began our wait for hope. After about an hour I came to the realization that convenient stores are usually twenty four hour establishments. I feel a heaviness come upon me as my tiredness becomes more apparent to me. Where will we sleep? Where will I go? I could've gone to Hannah's house, she could've helped me. She would've helped me through this. I blew that opportunity before it was useful.

       I look up from the floor and am shocked to see the state that Jezz is in. Her entire body has become translucent. Zero follows my gaze then gasps. I drop Hops as Zero and I run up to Jezz who is now in a mode of panic. Fortunately, she stays in the same state. She does not disappear completely, but she doesn't go back to normal either.

       "What's going on?!" Jezz wails as tears tumble off her cheeks.

       Zero and I both reach our hands out to touch Jezz. I see Hops out of the corner of my eye, walking toward us. As I come in contact with Jezz, I don't feel a thing. In fact, my hands go right through her. I turn to Zero to see that he has come across the same results I have. I see his face become angry as he turns to face me.