The Runaway

Chapter 2

The stairs creak quietly as I tip toe down them with my bag already packed. I just had to get food. The fridge was packed with food. I grabbed most food. Lots of apples. Lots of bread. I took all the bread. Stepmother would be furious about the bread. Good bread cost a lot in town. I filled a bottle with water. I would live off all this food no doubt. Probably wouldn't run out for a month or so. I would've loved to see stepmother furious from me stealing the food. I rip off a small chunk of the warm bread and stuff it in my mouth. The bread was divine.

I turn the small rusty door nob. It pops right open. I shut behind me. Then walk down the concrete steps. Such a wonderful plan. No more pain. Just happiness. I don't know why but I had the urge to run away from the house till I was plenty gone. Maybe the urge was to just get away from this hurt and pain as fast as possible. And that's what I did; i ran into the woods as fast and as far as I could get. About 30 more minutes later I reach the train tracks. I  walk along the train tracks. I wouldn't stop till I got somewhere or to at least rest..

This was the thing. I didn't know what I was doing, or where I was going. I just wanted to go to paradise. I wanted to go anywhere but my stepmothers home. I would only go to town to trade some of my apples for water. Then I would keep walking. Maybe I would go on a train. Maybe the train will lead me to the Arctic; my favorite place. I keep turning back, making sure no one is following me. Plan is going perfectly.

The treetops sway from the wind. It was very dark. Ever thing had a shadowy glimmer from the moonlight. It was somewhat cold. Not a freezing feeling but like a draft of cold. That would be only bad thing; nights would be cold. It was mid October . I would go into town tomorrow afternoon to trade my apples for water and clothes. I knew some town people that were quite fond of me and would give me a coat for free. I keep walking.

It was morning. I hadn't stopped yet although I was tired. I was also hungry. I couldn't eat yet.

My heart beats faster as I hear twigs snap in the woods on the side of the railroad tracks. I look at the woods. The leaves are a beautiful yellow and orange color. More twigs snap.

"Hello?" I call. I turn away from the woods and look backwards, considering going back. No, i can't go back. I have come to far. Way too far. "Are you a runaway?" I jump, startled by the quiet voice. Even though it's a quiet, the woods is more quiet, making the voice ring and boom. I turn around quickly. A small girl. Maybe 11 or 12. Her brown hair goes into a side braid. Her olive skin looks dirty. She must be a runaway like me. Her eyes were big; like big brown cookies.

"Yes. Are you?" I ask quietly, not wanting to scare her. She hesitates. "It's okay. I won't hurt you. I promise."

"I ran away." She spoke. Oh her voice. It was rough but sweet. Her voice was like syrup being slowly pored. Her voice was filled with sadness. Her eyes told many stories. Her eyes probably had shed a gallon of tears often. Her voice was probably used for yelling and screaming often.

"Hazel." I give a warm smile.

"Hardette." Hardette. What a beautiful name.

"That's a beautiful name." her eyes light up from one compliment.

"Thank you," she fiddles with her hands. "Do you have food. I haven't ate in two days. I'm so hungry." she wasn't lying. She was very skinny. I pull my bag over my arm and open it. I pull out the sack of bread. Then take one whole roll, an apple, and a little water. I hold it out. Hardette stares at it.

"Come on." I say softly. She inches toward me and I give her the food. We sit against the train tracks as she eats. "Why did you run away." I ask.

"My mother left a few days ago and didn't come back. My father was abusing me. I stole some bread from the bakery because I was starving and I almost got arrested. A guard didn't arrest me, bu-but he whipped me in the square." My stomach sinks. How could a guard whip a little girl like Hardette. Guards were kept around the town because we had a war years ago. We lost our homes and everything. Outsiders also try to get in. They take care of criminals also. In the square lots of hangings are shown. It's horrible. Hardette lifts up the back of her coat and I see the whip lashes that he made. What a horrible man.

"I'm so sorry, Hardette."

"Why'd you run away?"

"My mother died when I was 5, my father got remarried to a horrible woman shortly after. A year after they were married she killed him. Ever since, I have been abused, tortured, and been a maid to my stepmother."

"Did she do this?" Hardette rubs her thumb on my right cheek. It was severely bruised. I nod.

"I'm so sorry." She mutters. I shrug. "You have me. Your not alone, Hazel." she wraps her skinny arms around me. I hug her back.

"I love you, Hazel."

"I love you too, Hardette."