On the Run

Chapter 1- Karma

4 years. 4 long and scary years. 4 years of uncertainty. Of whether I would be able to eat or survive to see another day. To see the beautiful sunset or the dark night sky brightend up by the stars. 4 years of terror and tears and survival.

I stood on the sidewalk hoodie on as usual as I remembered the pang of hunger of the first 4 years. I wasn't sure how I survived but I did. I didn't know if I deserved to though. I couldn't remember anything from that night except the few flashes of that day I'd get in my sleep. He still haunts me but it has gotten less and less intense as the years went on.

    I continued walking until I reached a shop. It was old and falling apart with the words "Numpty" graffitied on the wall. I pushed the door and as I stepped inside the fragrance of lavender filled my nose. "Leula" a voice called from the counter. I looked up. In front of me stood Evan. His voice was rusty and low. "Developing a cold there huh?" I said as I met his eyes. "Yes, Ki passed it on to me" he paused. Then he continued, "That old bastard".

       "What's to make of your appearance, love?". I sighed. I didn't know what I could tell him. It's been 4 years since I've been on the run, well since Charlotte been on the run. "Nothing, just looking for Kiolin". "Oh she's in the back, the old darling has been by Ms.Denver side since she got sick". He turned and pointed to the back before turning back to me. "Thanks Evan" I replied as I walked by him.

        I headed to the back where I found Kiolin sitting on a old chair next to her mother's pale body. I stood there for a minute analyzing her before I stepped forward and placed my hand on her shoulder. She shuddered.

     "You scared me Leu" she said her voice soft and low. She clearly had been crying before I walked in. She wiped the tears off her face before getting up and facing me. "How is she?" I asked. "The same". Ms. Denver was like a mother to Kiolin and Ki, she took care of them since the accident took place, before I met them. "I don't think she's going to make it Leu, what am I going to do?" her voice was now filled of fear and you could hear the exhaustion, the cracks, and sobs in her voice now.

     My mind couldn't help but think back to that day. This must of been like what it felt to lose someone, a feeling so familiar to me yet It felt like a stranger. This must of been like what it was like to find his body on the floor with the rug filled of blood. This is what his kids felt when they heard that their father wasn't coming back. What his parents felt when they heard the life they created was taken from the world.

"Leu". I snapped. My knuckles were white and my nails dug into my hand. I quickly stopped when I realized Kiolin had too noticed it. "Yeah, just zoned out". We stood in silence, looking down at the floor.

Then a buzzing sound came. Kiolin took out her phone from her pocket before taking a call. Her face expression changed as the call continued and then it ended. "Who was that" I asked, now looking at her as curiosity filled with me.

"The teachers, Ki got in trouble again". Ki was Kiolin's 16 year old brother, Ms. Denver's sickness took a big toll on him. Ever since he found out he's been getting into fights and skipping class. Kiolin has had it bad but Ki has had it worse.

"I'll get him" I replied. Volunteering to get myself out of this place. "Really?" She replied as her face filled with happiness. I know how much staying by Ms. Denver's side meant to Kiolin and she was my best friend. "Yeah" I said as I played with my fingers nervously. "Oh thank you thank you thank you!" She repeated before sitting down again.

I quickly got out of there and headed down the street. I looked down at the sidewalk as I walked, ignoring any contact with anyone. And just like that a tall figure bumped into me, knocking me into the street. A car was speeding up just ahead. I looked at the sky, this was it. Karma was finally taking its toll.