Run Away

Out of the Forest

We were almost there. It seemed like a longer walk then last time. When we reached the store, we saw someone leave.

"Zach who is that?" I whispered

"I don't know."

When they left, we slowly walked up to the store. I was about to ring the doorbell, but Zach slapped my hand.

"What?"

"Don't ring the doorbell!"

"Why?"

"Because he might not know it's us."

"Didn't you guys plan out a time?"

"No. We use a special knock, so we know who it is."

He then did the special knock. It was weird. I couldn't keep up with it. But I guess it needs to be that way. About a minute later B-Dad came to the door.

"Hey, hey, hey! I didn't think y'all would make it! What happened?"

"We were tired from all the running earlier."

"Oh okay. No worries. Come on in before someone sees yeah."

Zach let me go in first, and I followed B-Dad. He lead us to the very back of the store. It was just a blank wall. No door, no window, nothing.

"Alright here it is. Now uh Zach is this little lady trust worthy? Yeah know me policy."

"Yes B-Dad she is. She was with me earlier."

"Okay, now, uh sorry, what yeah name?"

"Kendall."

"Ok Kendall, yeah can't tell anyone nothin'. This is a secret room, that only Zach, and I know about."

"Don't worry, you can trust me."

"Alright come on in."

He then tapped the wall a few times, and it opened. We quickly went in the room before anyone saw. B-Dad quickly checked that the door was locked, and the closed sign was on. He stepped in the room and closed up the wall.

"Sit, sit. Make yeah self at home."

Zach and I sat down at this old, antique table. The room was dark compared to the store. He then came out with food, and lit candles. I took a deep breath as he served the food. It smelled amazing! It was like heaven. I've never smelled anything like this before. B-Dad sat down with us. He just starred at me. Waiting for the perfect time to say something.

"So uh Kendall. What brings yeah out here?"

"Well my parents abused me, and they were talking about starving me to death, so I left."

"Oh. I'm so sorry to hear that."

"It's ok, don't worry about it."

We ate quietly. It felt kind of awkward. Just sitting there eating, and no one is saying anything.

Once Zach, and I finished eating we left. B-Dad told us to be safe, and to come back soon. Zach and I walked home- or at least back to the forest. Since we were stuffed, and tired, it took us almost an hour to get back. By that time, it was dark.

"You can take the hammock, I'll sleep on the floor."

"Zach no, it's ok. I can sleep on the floor."

"Kendall. Please, just take the hammock okay?"

I was going to fight back, but I realized he didn't want to. He was just as tired as I was.

"Okay. If you want to come sleep with me you can. I won't mind."

I settled into the hammock, and tried to sleep. I layed there, thinking about my day. I couldn't sleep though. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't. I was scared. Scared something bad would happen.

"Zach? Are you still awake?"

"Yeah, why?"

"I'm scared. Can you please sleep with me?"

"Of course."

I could hear him walk closer to me. He then joined me. He slept on his side, and put one arm around me. It was very comforting.

"Don't worry. You'll be safe. I won't let anything bad happen."

"Thank you Zach."

I then drifted off to sleep...