Runaway

-Bekki-

I have run away 3 times.

The first time was when I was 10, I was being bullied at school for not having the newest toys and clothes, so I decided to run away and live on a farm in the middle of nowhere. I packed a small bag with a book, raincoat, some apples and twenty bucks. I thought that was enough to get me to the other side of the country. The things a 10 year old will believe. When I got on a bus, the driver asked where my parents were and I told him I was running away. He called the police of course. I remember sitting inside the police station waiting for my parents, and expecting them to be furious. Instead they were so relieved that I was okay and they took me out for ice-cream. We always used to talk about that and laugh about it... I don't know what happened...

The second time was when I was 13. Mum & Dad had just gotten divorced, and my best friend ditched me for a guy. I made it nearly 200km that time.

The third time was last year, I was 16. Mum had remarried an asshole. I still don't understand why. His name is Kyle, and he hits her. Me too when he is smashed, I sleep with my bedroom door locked. This one was more of a spur of the moment thing. It wasn't much really. I camped out with some backpackers till I was found and dragged home again.

This time though, I could do it. I've been planning since last year. I've saved enough money for a plane ticket to the other side of the country. I had to give up all my spare time to work as many shifts as my boss would let me. But now I could do it. I could really make it, run away and never see that dick of a step father again. I would never be used as a punching bag for him to take his anger out on again... But what about school?

Who cares about school? There are jobs you can get without finishing the HSC. Besides, all the teachers there hate me anyway. I'm probably going to fail every subject.

What about your mum and friends?

They don't matter. Mum is never there for me anyway, all she cares about is Kyle. She didn't believe me when I told her my skateboarding injuries are actually from him. And what friends? There's just Alice and Rianna. I've always been the third wheel with them, even more lately, they just ignore me. They don't care. As for Mark, my first and so far, only boyfriend, he would move on. He still hasn't gotten over us. Besides he is more than good enough for all the girls at school. Anyway, I shouldn't think about Mark, I have found someone new. He paid half the airfare and I'm going to live with him.

You shouldn't, you've only met him twice. What are you doing Bekki?

He told me he loves me! Isn't that enough? Besides, he is saving us from this hell hole, so shut up!

The buzz of my phone alerts me that the taxi is here. Kyle's yells creep under my door. I slide the window up and start to climb down the lattice so I can drop into the driveway. Wincing at pain from my abdomen I look at 31 Terrance Road for the last time.