Losing Abi

Chapter 3

When I opened my eyes this time, I was in my room again. I didn't know what this memory was, but the first thing I heard was Abi. "Pssst! Sleepy head! Wake up!" I sat up and turned towards the window, where Abi was pressing her face against the screen. "I'm running away," she said bluntly as soon as our eyes met.

"What?" I knew what this memory was now; it's the time when we were nine and Abi decided to run away because of her fathers abuse. I already knew what was going to happen, so I let the memory take over.

Abi nodded her head in confirmation saying, "I'm tired of my dad hitting me so much, so I'm running away. And I want you to come with me, Mark." I stared at her, dumbfounded. Finally, I shook my head.

"I can't do that, Abi. I can't leave." Abi nodded at me.

"I figured you would say that," she said quietly.

"Abi, please don't go. You're my best friend." Abi looked up at me with years in her eyes.

"I have to, Mark. Dad's hitting me more and more, and I can't handle it anymore."

"But what about you're mom?" I asked. "Are you just gonna leave her?" Abi sighed.

"Mark, I love my mom. I don't want to leave her," she said, tears running down her face.

"Then don't," I said to her, but she just shook her head and smiled sadly.

"I'll be at the tree house if you change your mind, Mark." I didn't know what it was, maybe I thought she wouldn't actually run away, or maybe I was just too scared to tell anyone, but I didn't tell anyone, I just went back to sleep. it wasn't until the next morning when my mom came running into my room, asking me if I knew where Abi was that I realized how serious Abi had been.

***

"So Abigail Clements came to your room last night, telling you that she was running away, and you..?" the officer prompted me, raising an eyebrow. I sighed. I had already told him three times, but I think he just enjoyed hearing me admit my mistake again...and again...and again.

"Then I just went back to sleep and didn't tell anybody!" I practically yelled, throwing my hands up in exasperation. My mom came into the room then, frowning at me.

"Mark Siles, that is no way to treat our guest!"

"But-" I tried to explain.

"No, ma'am, it's fine," the officer said, frowning at me as well. "I was on my way anyways." My mom smiled at the officer as she led him to the door, but as soon as the door closed behind him, she whirled to face me.

"Mark, I know you're upset about Abi, but there's no need to be rude!" she said with a glare.

"But Mom..."

"No buts, Mark. You will go to your room until I tell you to come out." I reluctantly nodded and turned around to leave, but almost immediately turned back.

"Mom, I know where Abi is!" I said in a rush.

"What? Where?"

"She's at the tree house!" Ignoring my mom's confused look, I ran right past her and out into the street. Almost without thinking, I ran into the woods and to our tree house. Abi was there, sitting with her back against the wall, tears running down her face. She looked up and broke into a huge grin when she saw that it's me.

I knelt down, wrapping my arms around her. "Abi, its time to go," I whispered.

"It's time to go home."