Born A Rocket || FIRST

2. Planning Runaway

This morning, I woke up late and everybody was talking and the television was blaring in my ears. I sat up and My Auntie Noticed me.

"Good Morning Dear." She said, And i asked if she made breakfast. "No, I don't Make Breakfast." I sighed and wanted to go back to sleep, but today was the day i was going to gather everyone and plan the Runaway. I didn't want to Live like this, I would like the Streets better. Atleast we Can find something to eat, as her fridge had nothing in it, and she didn't work.

I usually wake to the aroma of Blueberry Pancakes my mother made for us and eat at the table and talk. I miss that.

"Juniper!" Anita yelled from the other side of the house. I got up and I felt Aunties cold eyes stare at me walk away into the hallway, and Saw Anita by some stairs going to the Attic, And I raised a brow following her up. When we were up there, I saw the rest of them sitting in a circle.

"What is this some type of cult?" I said, And Liam Shushed me Telling me to whisper. Anita started.

"We have to find some food, The Little ones are starving. We are trying to figure out who's going out." She said. "Cant we Just Ask Auntie Marie To Get some food? Why do we have to do all of this?" I said, Confused. "I know it sounds dramatic, but we already tried that and she said she doesn't have enough money to feed us, Only Her kids." She said, Sadly as a response.

"I Think You and Anita should go." Andre Spoke to me. "But i'm only 14! What if we get caught and get in trouble?" I said in a loud whisper. "Would you rather starve?" He Fired. I Thought, and it was no use to argue. I nodded and look up at Anita, As she got Up Pulling my arm. For me to stand. We walked towards a window, And she slowly pushed it Up, As the Neighborhood was quiet, and peaceful.

I turned behind me to The rest of my family, Holding tears back waving goodbye. They counted on me and Anita, And we had to do this. For our family. She Jumped out, And winced in pain, as she hit the concrete Driveway, She looked up at me as i Shook my head no, As it didnt want to just from 2 stories high.

She held her arms out, Nodding her head and i climbed out, Jumping As she caught be and nearly dropped me. My heart was racing, She Put me down and ran down the Block, Into the highway.

"Where are we going to go?" I said, Staring at Anita As we stopped and she looked back and Fourth.

"I'm going to count to 3, And We are going to Run through the cars to the other side." She said, And My heart dropped. But we had too. She started to count down. "3...2...1-" Right as she said One, She Ran Fast through the cars, Stopping Fast And Honking, I Was scared, But When She Reached the Other side, I Ran Aswell. When we got by She took my hand and i Got a glance behind us to angry people in driver seats, Many white people.

We walked around and we found a few places, like gas stations Or a Food Stand. My Stomach Growled looking at these things, And Anita Dug in her pocket, And she managed to Grab Some cash when the house burnt down, Around 56 Dollars, Which at the time was enough.

We Walked down The Sidewalk Looking around, When we spotted A Little Food Stand That had the right amount of pay for us. The sign above the stand read "WHITE - COLORED" And it had a Divided line With no Black people, Only White people. We were ready for embarrassment.

We walked up to the Stand, And instantly people looked at us. Anita was A Tall Light-skin 16 Year old, She Told me stories of when she was young and she had experiences like this.

"Two Hot Dogs With Mustard And Ketchup Please." She Said. "That will be 9-" She Slammed down $10 And Glared at the man. He Quickly Got our Food and took the cash, And I held my Hot-dog, Practically licking my lips ready for a meal. "We have to Get more food for them, But god that Stand Makes me sick." She said, and i didn't answer. "Lets sit on that bench." She pointed to a Vacant Bench On the side walk and we walked over and sat.

We ate our food, and It was really good. Anita stood up and asked if i was ready to go. "Yeah." I said, Throwing my trash away.

We went up the street to a gas station, because it was probably the only place we could get good food.

We walked in and tried to generate less attention towards us.

I Looked down and trying to move fast so the shelf's covered me and Anita, people stared at us very long, But eventually looked away. "Lets get 2 Gallons Of Water, And 3 Bags of Chicken legs." She said turning to me. "That's fine." I sighed Looking up. She got The Food and Water, And walked over to the Cash Register And i followed.

Once We got up there, she paid for the food and we carried some bags leaving the gas station.

"Do you think Auntie Noticed we were gone?" I asked Not making eye contact, but following her carefully. It was silent for a while, and She answered. "I think she didn't. There is 9 of us, 2 Of Her own, And 2 Gone. That Leaves 9 Kids In that house. I don't think she would notice." Anita Answered Truthfully. I believed her, She was really smart and Clever.

Once we got closer to the house, We saw the house. Anita layed low and went to the side of the house where the attic window was. She Started Yell whispering at the open window, "Andre! Andre!" And after a while, he leaned down and told us to get up.

"Juniper," Anita turned to me. "I need you too take these bags and i am going to go around the house, And get the ladder from the garage." She nodded to me, Leaving before i could stop her. I Waited, and i saw Anita Come back with the ladder, And She put it up to the Window. She told me to go up first, And she would get the bags.

I got up, And Andre pulled me through the window and i don't know how Auntie Didn't hear us.

Once we got up there, Anita Got up right behind me and we all were so happy that we got a meal. We Had pulled out a little table to eat on, and we started to feast. The Little ones begged for more, But we couldn't afford it. And then, I head Footsteps. The footsteps that made my heart drop.

Liam Rushed to clean everything up but it was too late. Auntie Was now looking at us, And She Looked angry.

"What the hell are you guys doing up here? Did you leave my house?" We all were quiet. "ANSWER ME GOD DAMNIT!" She said, Smashing a glass vase on the floor, shattering loudly which had made the Little ones start to cry and move back from her, Into Anita And Andre's Arms As they covered them, Staring at the horrible woman Infront of them.

"GET OUT!" Auntie Screamed, And Pointed To the stairs that went up to the attic.

"Your not going to kick us out." Anita Stood With Reject.

"Get out right now. I don't want to force you." She Looked at me, And Then at Anita.

It was Quiet for 2 Minutes, And Anita then turned around, All of us staring at her. She Started to get the food, Money, And Clothes. "What are you doing? are you really going to fucking listen to her?" Andre said in anger, Anita ignoring the question throwing her backpack over her shoulder with our items, "Lets go." She said, Brushing past Auntie And Down the attic, As we all followed.

We left the house and onto the streets we go.