It's All In Your Head {Sequel to STCG}

Chapter 16 - Running Away?

I ran and ran and ran.

Why was I running from my own mum? What had Leather Face turned me in to? A monster. A selfish, pathetic monster. Why was I giving into this... This beast?

I ignored my inner voice and continued sprinting along the front-garden grass. It was springy and sodden with dew, and I felt a cold liquid soaking through my socks and onto my feet. Ew. It was slippery too, especially since my shoes didn't have the best grip on them and the ground was so wet. How? Had it even been raining lately? Had I even been paying attention? No, not recently at all. There could've been a blizzard and I wouldn't even know it — or care.

But I kept running down every street, past every happy house. Jealously crept into me, so slowly it was barely noticeable. But it was there, and I could feel myself growing in anger and hurt. Why did everyone else deserve to be happy and I didn't? What had I done so wrong that everyone else had done so right?

That's it... So many questions and so little answers. So little answers which I need so much.

I passed a particular house which had a mattress lying outside it. It was ripped, dirty and looked disgusting but I thought, why not? I needed somewhere to sleep for the night as I didn't even know the name of the street I was on, let alone finding my way home. Home. It didn't seem like a home to me.

Anyway, I crept towards it and poked it with my finger. A spot of grime was left on me as I pulled away, and it didn't smell very hygienic. This whole mattress wasn't hygienic. How had the owners let it get this bad?! However, it was enough for one night. Mum would probably find me by tomorrow, despite how much I didn't want her to.

Quickly, I grabbed the mattress and dragged it along the pavement to a dark alleyway. There were dustbin bags lying around, with flies buzzing above them and causing a stench. I wanted to hold my nose, but I didn't want to touch my face with my dirty hands and I was using them anyway to pull the mattress.

I let it drop from my hands and it fell onto the ground. Reluctantly, I climbed on it and began to lay down, the smell becoming stronger as my nose neared the mattress.

Ugh.

Maybe I should be at home...

No!

Yes.

No!

"I wonder what's happened to mummy while you're away..."

I sprang up, my heart beat rapidly increasing. Don't worry, Emma, he's just tricking you.

"Or am I...?"

He's right. Or is he?

I didn't know what to do — go home to save Mum or not believe Leather Face and stay.

Think quickly, Emma...

Come on, come on...

I stopped thinking once I reached my decision.

Run. Don't. Stop.

So that's what I did. I ran.