Gone ~ Calum Hood

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

I feel the alarm clock vibrating under the pillow, informing me it's midnight. I get out of bed and crouch down on the floor to pick up some jeans, a converse top, and a plain black hoodie. As I move around the room, putting the final things into another bag, the floorboards start creaking, and I realise that I could easily be caught.

It was half past twelve, and as I picked up the bags, my arms drop. That's really heavy, I think to myself, and I remember that I have another heavy bag downstairs, I sit back down on my bed, thinking of what I could take out, I glance at my wardrobe. Sitting on top of the wardrobe is a suitcase, which shall be easier than all of these bags.

I climb onto the bed and reach for the suitcase, my movements slow, in case I make a sudden noise.

Once I am done and I know that I'm ready, I make my way downstairs, sliding through the kitchen door, opening up the cupboard where I'd hidden food earlier. I lay the suitcase on the table, open it and begin to put the food inside.

I suddenly hear the floorboards creaking above me. Quick, hide! Thoughts spiral around my head, as I hear a scream.

"It's okay, it's okay," came the soothing voice of my mother. "It's okay, no one's going to get you."

The shadow of my Mom, holding my baby sister in her arms, casts upon the wall in the fading light of the lamp.

I see this as my chance to escape. Fumbling around in my pocket, my hands search for the cool metal of my keys. Unlocking the door, I drag my suitcase out and run, glancing back to see the home I was once content in.

I turn round the side of the house, and into the alley way, where I reach the opening of the street. I only walked for about ten minutes when my legs become very tired and I need to sit down. I found the nearest bench sat down and decided what to do now that I was out. I mentally plan to go to the airport and find a flight going out of the country as soon as possible. I pull out my phone, a sleek, black iPhone, shiny and new, and a pang of guilt hits me because my Mom had bought it for me.

The taxi comes within minutes, the driver sitting inside with a cheerful look on his face. He asks lots of questions in his thick, Scottish accent.

"So where you going out to?"

I stay silent not knowing how to answer that, debating whether I should tell him or not. I go with not.

"Are ya mute? 'Cause you ain't said a word since ya got in?"

I shake my head in response.

"So what's your name lad?"

I inhale sharply, my fingers messing around with the bracelets on my wrists.

I decided to start afresh, a new life with a new name, personality and look.

"Calum," I say. "Calum Hood."