The Adventures of Footloose & The Pet Goose

Prologue

"My mom won't even let me attempt to go to the early college. Its closer to home and everything. She keeps saying 'Only smart people go there.' First of all, ouch. Second of all, what the fuck?" Goose looked down at his lunch tray. Footloose, his close friend, smiled weakly trying to think of something to cheer their friend up.

"I wanna run away." Goose said.

Footloose looked to him and nodded. Their rough voice arose from their throat. "Then lets do it."

"Do what?"

"Run away. We can do it next week on Friday. Eat plenty of food until then. I'll make a list of essentials we need to pack and a map of where we could go." Footloose chuckled. They had nothing against their own parents but knew Goose wouldn't survive on his own. He's gay-twig that could be snapped in half. Not to mention he has asthma.

The two continued eating. They had already had the idea to at least stop by Indiana and continued heading west. Footloose explained the reason they should load up on calories. The reason why is because they don't know how long any food they would bring would last.

The day continued. They went to the rest of their classes and sat together on the bus. The bus driver had a rule. Boys and girls couldn't sit on the bus together. However, she made an exception for a few reasons.

1. Footloose is the only person Goose will talk to.
2. Goose doesn't swing that way.
3. Footloose maybe Pansexual but they are also Non-Binary (and the bus driver doesn't want to be mauled by anyone the two are close to).

Footloose was the first to hop off the bus and head inside. They went to the kitchen, grabbed a big bag of chips along with some dip and soda and went to their room. After getting set up at their desk, they found a binder and some loose leaf paper and opened their computer. Footloose (who we will refer to as 'Foot' until otherwise said) never did homework. They always waited until the last second. No, instead, the reason why they opened their computer, was to go incognito mode and hop on wikihow and whatnot to gather ideas for the big travel.

They grabbed their phone and texted Goose.

Footloose: U sure about going on the run?

Goose: Yes. I even talked to my dad about going to the early college. He yelled at me and basically said what my mom said.

Footloose: Damn. Ok.
Footloose: I'm still working on a map and shit.

Foot got back to what they were doing. They thought maybe learning The Hobo Code might help them both on their travels.

For those reading this who are not sure: The Hobo Code (which is written in pictures) was and still is used by Hobos as a code. It tells them if there is danger or if there is a doctor willing to help them. It tells if there is a church that has hand outs if you stay for the session.

Foot wrote down The Hobo Code in the binder. They also wrote down tips and tricks as well as a checklist of things. An extra pair of clothes, a heavy jacket, a light jacket, and other miscellaneous things. They even packed their bug out bag which had a first aid kit and other things. Foot texted Goose about thins he should pack.

Footloose, despite them not being essential, packed a couple of books and journals. From what Foot could tell, they'd need at least $5000 to get going. Foot already has that stashed away in their piggy bank (which is actually just a big ass jar).

When they actually get ready to leave Foot will grab their Mandolin. Maybe they could get money from playing. Before they leave they'll also have to grab a knife at least for protection.

Now, lets check in on Goose.

Goose doesn't live too far from Foot. Only down the road. When he had gotten off the bus he grabbed some Oreos and milk and went to his room. He checked his phone and saw a notification. It was from Foot.

Footloose: U sure about going on the run?

Goose: Yes. I even talked to my dad about going to the early college. He yelled at me and basically said what my mom said.

Footloose: Damn. Ok.
Footloose: I'm still working on a map and shit.

Goose exited out of the text messages and sat his phone down. He picked up an Xbox controller and began to play. He looked over to his computer, still angry about his parents. Maybe Footloose and him will have a better life when they leave.

Maybe.

Just.

Maybe.

"So when will you be over on Friday?"

Footloose looked over to Goose. They were sitting on the bus ride from school. The day was Wednesday. Two days left.

"I'll be leaving my place around 2:45 AM. It'll take me about 18 minutes to get to your place. Meaning I'll be at your place around 3:05 AM. Be ready. Have your window open."

"My window has a sensor and there's floodlights on every side of my house. We'll get caught."

Footloose smiled.

"Is the sensor magnetic?" Goose confirmed that it is, indeed, magnetic.

"Ok. Here's what you do. Get a magnet off your fridge. The magnetic sensor most likely has the magnet exposed. It's a little round metal piece. Place the magnet on the sensors magnet. It'll disable it. As for the floodlights? Those can easily be bypassed."

Goose nodded then looked to Footloose and asked how they knew this.

"Its simple science. Plus I do a lot of research."

For the rest of Wednesday and Thursday, the two loaded up on carbs and calories as well as various things that might help them out. The map had also been thought of and created. The idea was to go from their small North Easter North Carolina town and head to Indiana. From Indiana they'd head through Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, and eventually make their way to California.

They knew that on Friday they'd have to delete their accounts they were using for messaging then factory reset their phones. They were going to bury their phones right after getting away from the houses. Once they were in a more rural area.

The bus stopped in front of Footloose's house.

"I guess I'll see you tomorrow, Goose."

Both nodded and Footloose left. Their bag on their back was heavy. They never clean their bag. Once inside, Footloose looked through the living room and through the kitchen to see their grandma's bedroom. Long ago, Footloose's parents passed on. Now? Now they live with their mentally abusive grandmother.

Maybe it is a good thing Footloose is taking the high road.