Blackened Windows

the runaway

I run as fast as I can through the tunnel, tripping several times.

"Scarlett!" Leo yells from somewhere ahead of me. "Stop tripping and run faster!"

"Can't you see I'm trying?" I yell back, rubbing my head.

"No," he says, "because the only thing I see right now is how much we need to outrun those guys!"

"Better than not being able to see at all! You try being blind and going at top speed! Then we'll see how fast you run!" 

"Stop talking! It's slowing you down and at the rate the Watchers are gaining on us, we can't afford any delay!"

"Freeze!" a man's voice says from behind me.

"Too late," Leo says with trembling fear in his.

"Come with us. Although I suppose you have no choice." This comes from another guy.

Someone grabs my arms and it seems Leo has been restrained as well, judging by the way he noisily struggles.

We are pushed into a car and being driven to some unknown area. and I know I should be more worried for everyone else but all I can think is how screwed we are. From the seat next to me, Leo nudges my arm. "We're here," he whispers. "Wherever that is."

****

Hold on. I think I'm getting a little ahead of myself. I'm so bad at this, I jump right into the middle of the story. Let me start from the beginning.

****

SIX MONTHS BEFORE

I remember, I was walking home with my best friend, Ellis. I was holding his hand so I wouldn't fall on my face. We heard something at the same time.

"What's that?" I said.

Ellis answered with an "I don't know. It definitely sounds like it's coming from your house, though."

I let go of his hand. "Yeah, they're yelling. One's definitely my mom but I can't make out the other voice from here." I turned towards my friend. "Bye, Ellis.  See you tomorrow." As I walked down the street toward my house I heard Ellis yell back.

"Yeah, no you won't." I gave him the finger and continued walking. 

I had just stubbed my toe on the front step, and was about to yell out in pain when I heard two loud voices. It was two people engaging in what seemed like a shouting match. I put my ear against the door and listened closely to what they were saying.

"I can't believe you're being so irrational about this!"

"Well I can't believe you're just shooting it down!"

"I'm not 'shooting it down', I'm playing it safe!"

"Why? Because you think she's helpless enough that she can't be separated from you for one second?"

"For fuck's sake, Mom, she needs protection!" And I don't need charity, especially not from you!"

"This isn't about you, Thea! God, why can't you understand that?"

"What I don't understand is why now you choose to help, after all these goddamned years."

"You want to know why? Well here's a good reason: she shouldn't have to be punished for your mistakes!"

"My so-called 'mistakes' are the reason Scarlett's even on this Earth in the first place! And you better not mean that you wish she'd have never been born, because if you do, I swear to God, mother, you might as well walk right out this door right now and never come back."