Her messed up freedom; His caged perfection

4

I woke up.

The sun was shining harshly into my eyes as it shone just above the hill that the old, rusted train track disappeared behind.

I woke up next to her. 

It was the first time seeing the strangers face. She looked about my age with beautiful red hair and light freckles scattered across her face and arms seen in the early morning sunlight that outlined her features, making her glow with beauty as she slept peacefully. 

Then there was me. 

I looked down at myself and saw a dirty, bruised, lost little boy with no hope and no future. I've always hated the old me, and looking at myself now, I have no reason to like the present me either. How could I change? Where could I go? Should I start walking or just lay in the grass under this  tree? Perhaps I shall just sit here beside the strange and beautiful girl and think about what I should do next with my life? All I know is that right now, this life is mine and I can decide what to do with it. But.. what if I'm not enough? What if I'm not enough to change my life? What if I'm just far too young and immature? 

Okay, that's enough questions. Enough thought for the moment. I'll just sit here, my back against the harsh, rough bark of this tree by the railway track and let life take me where I need to go, whether that's somewhere along the railway with this kind, strange girl, or maybe the police will find me and take me back 'home' back with my 'mother' and 'father'.  I hoped that wasn't the case.

Oh well, I guess all I can do is let life make its decision before I can make my own. Starting with the strange girl with red hair lazily opening her tired eyes and rubbing her forehead as she slowly sat up against the tree next to me and gave her eyes a moment to adjust to the sun. She looked over at me, both of us remembering the events from yesterday.

Smiling, she extended her hand towards me. At first I flinched away, but then realised she was offering a handshake, which I gladly excepted with a small smile back. "Autumn" she said calmly. I cleared my throat. "A-alexander, b-but you can call me Alex.. I-if you want.." I stuttered nervously, looking down to the ground. She gave a weak smile before dropping my hand and picking up her backpack, reaching in to receive two red apples and handing one to me. 

I stared at it for a while as she bit into hers and started eating. Hesitantly, I put it to my mouth and took a big bite, juice and flavour filling my mouth. I smiled and squeaked out a small "thank you" just loud enough for the girl- Autumn- to hear. She nodded in response and threw away her apple core to tie her curly red hair into a messy bun. She stood up and motioned me to do the same and we started to walk down the broken train track as the sun rose higher and the air became a little warmer. It was so lovely and peaceful, like for once it didn't matter what time you had to be somewhere, or the state of your hair that was now all ruffed and dirty. But, unlike my parents if they were here, I didn't mind.

"Alexander" the girl spoke as we walked. I looked up into her eyes, slightly intrigued in what she had to say, but also quite worried that what she will say mightn't be something I wanted to hear. "Who are your parents? And why would they hit you?" She asked simply. I sighed, trying to think of the right words to say. After a moment, she spoke again. "You don't have to say if you don't want to. I'm just curious" she smiled and kept walking. I cleared my throat. "My parents.." I started nervously, "They'd beat me if I ever disobeyed them or go against their expectations and I had no choice but to live with that. M-my parents are awful people who seem to have control over my every action, every step. All up until now that I've run away." I sighed and concentrated on my breathing for a second. "That is all." I finished, looking away in attempt to hide tears that were forming in my eyes.  

Despite my weak attempts, the girl, Autumn, ended up seeing my tears and gripped my hand tight. "My parents aren't the same. They don't care if I step out of line or get my homework done, but it all comes down to the fact that they just don't care about me. I'm outcasted from my own family." She sighed. I looked at her, eyes still a little watery, and looked down at my hand in hers, squeezing it gently to comfort her. 

I'm glad I met Autumn, she seems so caring to others and I've only really known her for a few hours. Maybe I could stay with her, and we could leave this place where everyone seems to hate us. Just maybe, we could both be set free.

//Maybe we could both be free//

~Yours truly~