Hiding

Chapter 2

        After I got to my seat on the plane, I went to the bathroom to check my appearence. "I look awful." I thought to myself as I saw the dark circles under my eyes. My outfit consisted of a pair of black skinny jeans, black combat boots, and a long sleeve coral pink v-neck shirt that matched my brown hair nicely. I brushed through my waist length hair and went and sat down. I decided that while I was waiting for my flight to take off, I would finally write in my journal. I never wrote in this because I was afraid that Tom would read it.

"Dear Journal,

        Hi! My name is Gracilynn, or Grace for short. It's currently February 11th. I've never written in this before because I was so afraid my bastard of a step-dad would read it. I'm 17 years old and from Sydney, Australia. I spent most of my life in Orlando, Florida though. I've never met my dad, but today I'm going to live with him and his family in Australia.

        My step-dad hit me for most of my life. And when he wasn't beating me he was verbally abusing me. Once he came at me with a knife and cut me.. I have a scar from breast to navel from that incident. I can't believe I'm putting this down on paper. But. Yeah. I can't stand it when people yell. It's terrifying. --- "

"Flight 3601 Orlando to Sydney is about to take off, please store loose articles and buckle your seat belts!" The lady at the front of the plane said.

        I sighed and put my journal back into my bag when I felt my phone buzz. I had a text message from Tom.

Tom: I don't know where you are bitch but I'll find you. You can run, but you can't hide forever.

        After reading that message, I took apart my phone, disabling the sim card, and tossed it in the bottom of my back pack.

*Landing in Australia*

"Ma'am, we're landing." The flight attendant said as she shook me awake.

        As I got up to exit the plane, I tossed my old cell phone into the garbage can. Walking into the lobby, the first thing I saw was a boy about my age with fire engine red hair. He definitely stood out in a crowd. He and a man were standing there, waiting for someone. When the man saw me, he waved me over to him.

"Gracilynn?" He asked.

"Yes? Are you Daryl?"

"I am. Come here baby." He said, pulling me into a hug.

"Dad.. Can't.. Breathe...'' I gasped, slightly panicking.

"Gracie this is my son Michael, your half brother." Dad said, gesturing to Michael.

"Hello, nice to meet you." I smiled, slightly. I wasn't sure how he felt knowing I was his sister.

"You as well." He said, pulling me into a big hug.

"So Gracie, how's your mom?" Our dad asked me.

"She's.. Well. I dunno. I haven't talked to her." I said sadly.

"So call her! Lets go find your suitcase, shall we." He said, noticing I only had a back pack.

"I actually can't call her. I don't have a phone. And I'm not allowed to contact her. Long story. And I also don't have another bag. This is all I've got." I said, gesturing to the bag on my shoulder. In reality I was absolutely horrified to tell him the truth.

"Really? Why don't you have a phone? And you just moved continents and only brought one bag?" He asked.

" I wasn't aware I was coming here until I was being shoved out of the car at the airport." I answered, getting frustrated, why couldn't he just let it be.