The Girl Who Ran

Septmeber

***************************************************September 13 One hundred-tenth day gone

Aleena had no time to write. She woke up and saw Lake Eire. It was a beautiful sight. Fishermen were on boats. Her dad stopped at hotel. A poster hung on the window. ‘This way for the Girl Who Ran!’ said the poster. The father opened the door and caught Aleena just before she escaped. Her mom held one arm and her dad held her other one. Caleb held on to his mother’s hand. They went inside. A man greeted them.

“Can I help you?”

“I need a room for the night for my family and me.”

The man pointed at Aleena and said, “Are you the Girl Who Ran?”

“Not anymore she isn’t. I am her father and she keeps trying to escape. I only want what is best for her.” Aleena grunted. The grip on her arm increased. They were led to a room at the top floor. Pictures drawn by a four year old hung everywhere in the room.

“This was done by my granddaughter. She thinks the world of you Girl Who Ran. I saved this room for you but I guess you can have it for your family.” In the room were two beds, a table, a T.V., a fridge with food, and a bathroom with a tub. The room had a perfect view of the lake and pictures covered the walls and ceilings. Little running people hung from the roofs. A small smile went on Aleena’s face. She was thrown on a bed. Her parents walked on the balcony. They talked. Caleb came to Aleena.

“What does it feel like to run?”

“My legs have gotten much stronger and it feels good to be away from them. I could try for a good sleep, but I have trouble wondering if I will even make it on the journey.”

“If I help you again to escape, can I go to?”

“Caleb I can’t take you with me but I will be back. I will save you from these people. Deal?”

“Deal!” Caleb came close to his sister. She put his arm over him and found a scar on his neck. It seemed only a few weeks old. Her dad walked back in. He took of his belt. Caleb shied away. Aleena stood up and faced her dad.

“You think you are tough. You think you are so great.” With a cracking sound, the belt collided with Aleena’s cheek. She stood strong. “Look at you. You are pathetic.” A new bruise formed on her arm. Even though it hurt, she stood strong. The belt came across her collarbone. Then it hit her leg. After that, her stomach was hit. Still Aleena stayed strong. She leaned heavily on her unhurt leg. “I will show you tough.” With one loud crack, the belt hit her other leg making her fall to the ground. Her dad smiled at her pain. She grabbed the bed. With a heave, Aleena got back up. She stared in her father’s eyes.

“I am strong.” Her dad took his belt and a new welt formed on her cheek. “You can’t hurt me.” the belt hit her leg. “I never killed her.” The belt hit her chin. “Mom killed Lily.” Her mom broke out in tears.

“I am so sorry. I did not mean to. She fell out of my arms and I couldn’t catch her. I never should have blamed you Aleena. I am sorry.”

“You did me a favor. I met a friend who I know will never be taken away from me. I will never forget. I will never forgive you. All my hopes and dreams were crushed. No more will I be criticized. I am my own self. I am not your daughter. I am only a sister to Caleb. If I see him hurt anymore, I am calling 911. You will never know what happened to me. I will only come to check on my brother. I-” She stopped as a fist hit her and she was knocked out.

When she awoke, Caleb lay by her asleep. Her parents lay on the bed. She sat up. It was early afternoon at the hotel. All the pictures were in a pile by the trash. Her welts and head hurt. She walked to the balcony to see the door was locked. Aleena found her phone and dialed three numbers. “911 what is your emergency?”