Another Way Out

Chapter Two

We walked into darkness which instantly sent a jolt fear down my back. Donald flicked on a small light but it didn't show the room very well. I could tell we were in a hallway but all I could see was the dark mahogany stairs which the light hung over.

Accepting my silent act Donald pointed to a door when we reached a new landing at the top of the wooden steps. I nodded weakly and opened the door to see what awaited me. A set of draws and a plain bed with white covers. Well this is disappointing.

With pain embracing my body I happily made my way to the white clouds some would call a bed and snuggled into it with a safe feeling for once, trusting the friendly cop to have a just as friendly house hold.

'Good night Axl,' his voice made me jump from my dazed state, 'and remember, I'm not the bad guy.'

'Yeah, well that's what they all say.'

'What is that supposed to mean, Axl?' Donald's voice seemed to harden slightly but that's not what worried me. He was getting too close to my secret.

'Leave me alone for fu-'

'Get some sleep.' He said slamming the door behind him. How dare he.

-

I woke in a dizzy haze as nightmares streamed across my mind; vicious memories clawed with sharp nails at the soft tissue of my brain as I screamed trying to release the pain they caused night after night.

Donald opened the door cautiously as if I were a beast. I sat shaking and as he approached me my anger grew. I launched a pillow at him causing him to quickly close the door.

'Axl?' He called softly, 'want me to get you anything.'

'Yeah, please.' I called back equally as soft.

'What is it that you want?'

'FOR YOU TO LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE!' Sure, I shouldn't of screamed at him but I don't appreciate being treated like a child. I curled into a small ball and cried silently, letting warm streaks of tears glide down my face. To be honest I was scared.

After realizing I wasn't going to be beat while I stayed here I cried tears of happiness but that feeling was quickly crushed. I had to run away but not for my safety. I didn't deserve good treatment. I was in foster care for a reason, I got beat for a reason.

I quickly got ready, showering and changing. I left my hair wet as there wasn't anything else to do with it. Slinging my still full backpack over my shoulder I made my way down stairs.

Upon hearing my footsteps Donald greeted me at the bottom. He took note of my bag but didn't comment.

'Come in and meet the family. My wife made a special breakfast for your arrival,' he beamed proudly.

I followed him silently through to what seemed to be a dinning room. A woman who looked about 40 stood with child in front of her; a young boy who looked about 8 and next to an elder boy was slouched against a table looking angry.

'Noah,' the woman whispered gently to the elder boy, he straightened a little but his scowl just deepened.

'Axl, this is my wife Sarah and my two sons, James and Noah. James is 9 and Noah is 17. Everyone this here is Axl.' As Sarah's smile widened, Noah's frown got worse.

'Hello dear, how old are you then?' Sarah asked. My eyes widened slightly. I didn't know how to react to nice people.

'Umm.. 16,' I said quickly clearing my throat, 'anyway, I'm going to go for a walk. You know, get my bearings?' I backed away slowly.

'Oh, no dear. Please come eat some breakfast first. We have some pancakes, egg, bacon, cereal, toast, well everything really.' A soft laugh escaped her lips as she moved to reveal the table behind her piled with food. Truth be told I was starving. It had been about three days since I ate much more than an apple.

I placed my bag down on the floor and moved towards the table. A smile lit up Sarah's face.

'Help your self to anything hunny.' I waited until everyone was sat down and had started piling up their plates. Finally, I too started to fill my plate with food. Three pancakes and a couple slices of toast. As I nibbled on my first piece of toast I heard a deep, gruff voice.

'Eat us out of food why don't you.' That hit me. Hard. In my previous homes I'd been starved, either due to a lack of money or because my carers said I was fat. Hearing the words come out of his mouth filled my stomach with bile.

I placed the toast back down on the plate realizing that, that had in fact filled me anyway.

'I won't, don't worry,' I said deadly calm as my face slowly turned towards Noah with no emotion. I stood slowly from the table and picked my bag up again. Running out the door I ignored Donald's warnings of if I try to run away. He should know by now that I was ready for that quite yet.

After running in aimless directions I found myself in a small shopping area. Spotting a drug store I entered and went straight for the hair dye. My hands curled around a bottle of dark green hair dye. I always wanted to go green.

'Green, huh? You look the sort.' The familiar voice made me jump before I whipped around to face the culprit.

'Aww did daddy send you to come find the runaway? Such a good little boy right? Well as nice as that is I don't need you following me every where I go.' My harsh words caused Noah to scowl deeply.

'My father doesn't control me, he saves that for scum like you.'

'Mmm, then why are you here breathing down my neck when I'm just trying to buy some hair dye?' We were at the till now and the cashier was giving us a suspicious look as we bickered.

'Because even though your parents are probably too much of low lives to hold a job my father has been an officer for a long time now. I don't want a spoiled brat like you ruining that for him so I'm just here to make sure you don't get lost on the way back.'

At the mention of my parents I sucked in a harsh breath. He had no right to go there. Tears gathered in the corners of my eyes.

'Don't worry I can make my way back on my own. I promise I won't fuck up your perfect little family.' I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. I walked swiftly away from him as his expression quickly turned to confusion and regret. Unfortunately it was way too late for that.