The Runaways

Chapter 5 (Part 1) - The Boy with Many Layers: Iris

(2 years earlier, October 25, 2228)

It was a cold windy October day. I was turning 15 in two weeks. Two weeks until my last year being free started. I was ready for the test, the one that determined what I would do with my life but deep down I didn't want that. I wanted to stay 14 forever with my parents and friends I didn't want to grow up and do everything I'm told, but I knew I couldn't have that. I had been got stuck thinking about this and decided to take a walk and get some fresh air, clear my head. I threw on my favorite purple coat and black boots and headed out. The cold hit me like a force field sending shivers down my spine. The wind tossed my hair about and snapped at my clothing. The sun shone brightly making the weather beautiful. The city pulsed with life people going about their daily business. Even though I was surrounded by people I felt alone, different. I felt like everyone was the same and I was peculiar, the blue fish in the sea of red swimming in the opposite direction but I had no idea why. I had felt like that a lot lately. I didn't pay much attention to where I was going or how far I was walking I just let my mind wander and I walked. And then suddenly, I heard it. Sirens. I figured it was nothing and just kept walking, but they seemed to be getting closer and closer. I had a weird feeling in my gut like something was about to happen, but I didn't know what. My friends always joked that I could tell the future because when something big was about to happen I could sense it in my gut. I would tell them that I knew that something was about to happen. Something that would change mine or their lives, but they never listened. Until it did. And just as I was about to turn the corner a boy came barreling towards me crashing into me. He looked frantic, panicked, scared. Like he was running from danger or something. The sirens drew closer. And then it clicked. This boy was running from the cops. Stupid kid I thought he can't out run those cars he's not even close to fast enough they're going to catch him unless... I looked to my right and saw a flower shop. I knew the owner very well. I knew everything about that shop.

"follow me" I said grabbing his arm and dragging him along. I pulled him into the flower shop which, luckily, had no one in it.

"where are we going" he says surprised and then clearly reality dawned on him. "hey let me go. I have to go. Ive got to escape those cops. please don't turn me in. LET GO OF ME!!" he yelled he pulled and struggled and grunted but kept my grip firm.

"Shh!!" I said sternly. "look I can help you hide from the cops, but you have to trust me and shut up." I hissed. he looked at me appalled and nodded. I lead us through the store and into the back room. I knew that just around the corner there is a loose floor board and if you pry it up there's just enough space for two kids to fit with a little room in between. I ran over to the floor board and dug my long finger nails under. I wasn't the most fit person, I'm more into nerdy things like books and school and stuff not sports. It took me a little while, but I got the floor board up and shoved the boy down into the small compartment. I fallowed him down and we sat there, crouched across from each other. I slid the floor board back over our heads and made sure it looked like it was a floor and no 15-year-old kids are hiding down there. He opens his mouth as if to say something but I shoosh him. I have very good ears so I could hear the police men walking in the main shop outside. They walked around the store slowly and soon head into the back room where we were hiding. If this boy was nervous, he didn't show it. he looked determined and strong and twisted his head as if he was listening hard. How does he do that? How does stay so calm when there are cops right outside looking for him?! I could never do that. They walked around for a while above my head talking in low voices. Me and the boy stayed very still and quiet and prayed that they didn't see the uneven floor board. If they did not only would he get in trouble but so would I for helping him. How did I get myself into this mess? why did I help him? For all I knew he coul,d be a murderer, but he just didn't seem like one. There was something about him that you could tell he wasn't dangerous.