The Runaway

Family's A Virtue

I jumped awake by the sound of barking and yelling. I rub my eyes and look out the window. Paul and his dog were face to face with a woman. As serious as it seemed, I tried putting together what they were talking about. Eavesdropping is wrong but they shouldn't have woken me up.

The lady Paul was talking to looked to be the same age. She had snow white hair, baby blue eyes and despite a few wrinkles she had perfect tan skin. The yelling stopped as the two went opposite directions. I immediately got up, put on my jacket and headed outside. Upon arrival, Paul was gone. "Where'd he go? He was just here." I looked all over but to no avail Paul wasn't to be seen.

"Why the hell are you outside?" Paul screamed. I jumped out of my skin, immediately turning around, smiling out of nervousness. By the looks of it he was more annoyed than angry. His eyes furrowed and he let out a low growl that sounded like it came from the bottom of his throat. My smile disappeared but my nerves were still getting the best of me.

"I wanted some fresh air" the lie slipped out my mouth. I didn't mean to do it, as it was the first thing that came to mind. I could tell he didn't believe me because the moment I said that he grunted and crossed his arms.

"Who was that? Why were y'all arguing?" Paul turned and walked inside the house. I came in and closed the door behind me.

"Don't worry about it." Paul sat in his recliner and rubbed his temples. A deep sigh ran out his mouth as he attempted to relax. The stress seemed to get to him. He bounced his leg out of habit and ran his hands through his hair. That woman and him are dealing with a lot and I can tell he needs to relax. But do I need to intervene? It's not my business but he did help me out. Why can't I return the favor?

"Why does she have you so stressed?" I broke the silence. Paul looked up at me keeping the same annoyance in his face he had before. He grunts, laying back in his single recliner, still keeping eye contact with me. It sent shivers up my spine. I have a feeling this was personal as he took a while to respond.

"Shouldn't you be going?" He had a voice of concern and worry. He was right, I have to leave. I can't stay any longer. But I can't continue walking if Mason is still out there.

"Do you mind driving me somewhere?" I could tell by the way he slumped over in his chair that he didn't want to spent any more time with me then he wanted to. Guilt shot up my body, I didn't want to bother him any longer. "If Mason is still here I don't wanna run into him."

Paul sighed again, rubbing his temples out of frustration. "If you want my fucking help, go to the back room and fetch me my hunting rifle. It shouldn't be hard to find."

A slight smile grew on my face. I headed towards the hallway, creaking heard from underneath me. I reached for the door at the end of the hall until I felt a drop of water hit my head. There was an attic door above from where I stood. I looked to see where Paul was, to my luck he went into his room. My heart pounded against my chest. I slowly opened the door and dropped the ladder down. As I headed up, the smell of dust and fiber glass danced around my nose. Upon fully reaching I searched around. Boxes, vases and old toys were all around me, despite the cobwebs and spiders in the corners and tight spaces.

I searched through everything I seen, opened every box and played with everything in sight. I never thought I would think the old man would keep such things. The further I walked the more curious I got. I approached a small box with a vase next to it. Upon opening the box, all I could see where pictures of a family: a mother, a father and a baby. They seemed happy and full of energy. "This is so heart warming. Why would you keep this hidden?" 

All there was were pictures upon pictures of this family. Then it clicked, this is Paul's family. I heard Paul call my name in the distance so I quickly put the pictures back. I ran as fast as I could to get out. To my luck, I tripped over some of the stuff I left out. Paul stopped talking and he came to the ladder. I quickly got up and dusted myself up, just to look up to see Paul standing near the exit.