I sit and wait among the bushes as the cars go by, their
sirens blaring. Looking to her, sitting beside me, I see the flashing lights
illuminate her delicate face as she looks in fear. She tightens her hand around
mine until they have passed and gone. I let out a breath I didn't know I was
holding. I looked to her and her to me, and we set off out into the night.
We’d been running for almost two days now. Anna’s parents
must have called the police this morning and reported her missing. I know it
wasn't my deadbeat father who did. He probably popped open a few beers in
celebration that I was out of what hair he had left. I didn't ask Anna to come
with me, but she had insisted -- or more demanded -- that I take her with me;
and if there’s one thing I've learned about being in a relationship, it’s that
when your girlfriend wants to do something you think is dangerous or even
stupid, you don’t tell her no.
So here we were, running along the side of interstate 74 at
1:00 in the morning, taking cover in the bushes when cars drive by. A runaway,
not exactly what I wanted to be when I grew up.
I know we shouldn't stop, but I can see the exhaustion in
Anna’s face. Her pace had started to slow, so I took her over into the trees
and found a safe spot to rest for the night -- or really morning.
“No,” she said. “I can keep going, really.”
“No you can’t. It won’t do us any good if you stumble and
fall and hurt yourself somewhere along the way because you were tired.”
“Allan, it’s okay. I’ll be fine.” Despite what she said, her
eyes were already starting to close. I think she was about to say something
else, but she didn't get a chance. Before I knew it, she was asleep, her hair
falling over the right half of her face.
I took my backpack off and retrieved a blanket from it. I
put my back up against the pine tree we were taking shelter under, placed Anna
against my chest and draped the blanket over us. Though I was tired, I didn't
try to sleep. In fact, I probably couldn't. So I stay awake and watch the
occasional cars pass by, hoping I wouldn't hear the sirens again. I looked down
at Anna as she slept, her eyes gently closed. I hated to bring her into my
problems, but I know she wants to be in them. I’ll probably never love anyone
more.
It seemed like only a few hours, but soon I could see the
sun begin to rise in the distance. I looked at my watch: 7:20. I sighed, and
then gave Anna a little shake to wake her up. She did, reluctantly, we put our
packs on and once more we set off. Where we were going and how long it would
take to get there, neither of us knew. But, we’d find a way.
I looked to the east where the Appalachia’s stood, proud and
majestic. They looked to be a mile or two away, which wouldn't be too far if we
hadn't been walking all of the last two days. Getting there would seem like
nothing, though, once we had to start our ascent. I’d hiked before when I was
in the Boy Scouts, but then I did it for fun. Now, I’d have to do it for the
sake of being free of that poor excuse of a dad sitting at home drunk, watching
reruns of Law and Order.
We walked for a while, leaving the freeway -- and hopefully
the police -- behind. From now on, there wouldn't be many roads, if any. Maybe
that will lower our chances of being caught. As we walked, I looked to Anna.
She was looking at the ground, and seemed to be thinking about something. If I
had to guess, I would say she was thinking about her parents; at home, worrying
about her safety. It must be hard for her to leave behind people who really
care about you. I wouldn't know.
I stopped as I heard a rustling sound off to the right. Anna
heard it too and snapped out of her train of thought. We ducked down into the
foliage and I looked to see what made the noise. My fears were averted as I saw
two deer standing still as statues about 10 yards away. Anna saw them too, and
she began to giggle, and then full out laugh. I couldn't help but laugh too
despite how scared I really was.
At the sound of our laughter, the deer bounded off into the
trees. When we finished laughing, I sat up and took my backpack off. I opened
it and pulled out two granola bars. Anna finished taking a sip of water from
her canteen as I handed one to her. When we first set off, I made sure to buy
whatever food and other supplies we’d need. Now that our names and faces were
probably on the news, I don’t think walking into the Walmart to get a soda and
some candy bars is a wise idea.
When we finished eating, I helped her up and we began
walking again towards the mountains. We mostly walked in silence, but sometimes
she would say something and we would talk for a little while until the
conversation died out. We reached the base of the mountain at 9:45, which
wasn't too bad for a couple of tired teenagers. I looked to see if Anna was
okay to keep going. She saw me, and as if she read my thoughts, she nodded her
head and we started up the mountainside.
“You know,” she said. “I wish I could take the time to
really appreciate the views.”
I agreed. East Tennessee was beautiful in the spring,
especially in the mountains where civilization could barely reach.
“I used to hike in these mountains,” I began. “Mostly with
the Scouts, but sometimes when my dad would be passed out drunk, my mom would
take me here.”
My mother died when I was eleven years old. It was my
father’s fault. He had been drinking again, and my mom had accidentally dropped
a plate on the floor. When he heard the crash, he stumbled into the kitchen and
started yelling at her. She yelled back, and then with drunken rage, he slapped
her across the face. She stormed out of the house, got in her car, and drove
out.
Later that night, some police officers showed up at our
door. My dad was passed out on the couch so I answered the door. They held up
my mother’s driver’s license and asked if she lived there. I nodded slowly and
then the man knelt down to be eye level with me, and he told me she had died in
a head-on collision. I remember that I just stood there for a few moments,
letting the weight of his words settle upon me. I’m not ashamed to admit that I
began to cry, and I cried until the tears wouldn't come anymore. My mother was
the only person in this world that I cared about and that cared about me. I
would have killed myself had I not met Annabelle Roberts.
Still walking up the mountain, she was quiet for a moment,
and then she said, “I wish I could have met her. She sounds like she was a good
woman.”
“She was,” I said. “The best woman I ever knew and will ever
know.”
Trying to change the subject, Anna brought up my days as a
Boy Scout.
“It was pretty fun,” I explained. “We learned all sorts of
life saving skills and we practiced archery. The most fun was at the summer
camp.”
“Summer Camp?” she asked.
“Yeah,” I said. “For one week, a bunch of different Scout
troops would come and take classes to get badges. You’d mingle with the other
troops and make new friends. It was always amusing when one of the troop dads
brought the occasional daughter to camp.” I chuckled. “There’s nothing funnier
than watching a bunch of guys -- in a camp of Boy Scouts mind you -- drooling
over the same girl.”
She laughed. “I can’t imagine being that poor girl, spending
the week with a bunch of smelly boys.”
She wrinkled her nose at me and I couldn't help but smile.
No matter what, she could always manage to make you feel good, even in our
special situation.
“Well, girls aren't so much better,” I teased. “If you get
too close to them, you might get cooties.”
She gives me a playful shove and we keep on walking. When it
starts to get dark, I look at my watch and realize it’s already 6:30. My
stomach starts to growl, loud enough for Anna to hear. She laughs, and I
suggest we make a shelter for the night. I pull off my backpack and set it down
under a good sized pine. Then, I take out some granola bars and beef jerky. Not
exactly a four-star meal, but it will have to do. As Anna begins to eat, I try
to drink some water from my canteen, but all I get is air. Anna checks hers,
and gets a few drops. Great, I thought.
“Maybe there’s a stream nearby,” she says, hinting that I
should go look.
I sigh and take out my headlight. I strap it on, grab the
two canteens, and head off into the growing night to find water. I look for a
few minutes before I find a small stream. I bend down to fill the two containers,
and when I’m finished, I close the tops and turn to go back to our makeshift
camp when I hear a rustling sound nearby. Probably just some animal, I think.
Then, I saw the light from two flashlights. My eyes opened wide and I ran off
to find Annabelle.
When I make it back, she looks at me with questioning fear.
I explain to her, and she hurriedly puts everything into her pack, and we run
off up the hill. I turn back to look for our pursuers and see the lights
steadily making their way up. I turn back and dash off. I’m sure they saw me by
the stream, or at least heard me when I ran away. It seems I’m correct, because
when I turn back the second time, not only are the lights closer, but I can
make out their figures in the distance as well.
I hear a squeal from Anna and turn back to see her lying on
the ground where she just fell. “My ankle,” she said. “I really hurt my ankle.”
I looked back at the gaining lights, then turned back to her, lifted her up in
my arms, and ran as fast as I could. I knew I wouldn't be able to keep it up
long. I hadn't slept in days and we've been walking almost non-stop. I started
to look for a place to hide.
As I ran past the trees, I saw a small place under a small
rise in the ground. I made for it, and placed Annabelle gently inside. Then, I
squeezed into the tight space with her. There were a few small roots sticking
through the ground above us. I hold Anna tight to me as I listen intently to
the sounds outside. I hear the two men slow their pace until, eventually, they
stop. My heartbeat is racing and my breaths are ragged from running so much,
but I try to remain silent.
I hear one of them speak to other. “Did you see where they
went?”
“No” came the other man’s reply. His voice was sickeningly
familiar.
“Boy, where are you!” he shouts.
It’s my dad. I don’t recognize the other man’s voice, but
I’d wager it’s one of my dad’s drinking buddies. I hear him walking around,
searching, as my father shouts out again. “Allan, I know you’re out here. And
that little whore of yours, too!”
I wanted to punch him in the face, but knew I shouldn't try;
else I’d give away our position.
Anna begins to cry, trying to stifle her sobs with her hand.
Her attempts are made futile as a sudden gunshot goes off into the night.
Startled, she cries out, and then quickly brings her hand back to her mouth,
but it’s too late. Hearing her, one of them walks over to where we’re hiding.
Before I know it, two hands grab me by the shirt and pull me out. My father
throws me to the ground and his cohort grabs hold of me. Then, my dad pulls
Anna from inside as she screams.
I struggle against the man holding me back, but I can’t
break free. My father’s holding Anna by the hair while she cries. “You see,” he
says, a drunken look in his eyes. “This is what happens when you think you can
pull one on your old man.” He yanks on her hair and she cries out in pain.
“Stop, let her go!” I shouted.
“I don’t think she’s learned her lesson yet, have ya’ you
li’l slut?” He gives her hair another strong pull. I fight and fight the man
restraining me. I stomp hard on his foot, and manage to break away as he yelps
in pain. I run straight at my dad, and throw a punch right in his gut.
He stumbles back, letting go of Anna. I tell her to run away
but don’t have time to make sure she does as the other man is coming right
towards me, his plump face red with anger. I lean down, grab the shotgun my dad
dropped on the ground, and come back up hitting him across the face with the
stock, knocking him out. I turn to see my dad getting back up, rage in his
eyes. As he takes a step towards me, I pump the shotgun and point it at him.
He looks at me and smiles with malice as he says, “You
wouldn't; you don’t have the balls to shoot your old man!” He shouted the last
part.
“Just try me,” I said. “You've given me hell all my life.
I’m not afraid to return the favor.”
His smile vanishes, and he lunges toward me. I feel my
finger pull the trigger, and then the loud sound of the gunshot as my father
falls back, a gaping wound in his chest. My ears ringing, I walk over to him
and look into his glassy eyes as they stared up at the night sky. He was dead.
I hear a sound to my right and turn, muscles tensed and
ready to fight only to see Annabelle standing there. I slowly relax and then
drop the gun to the ground. She walks over and embraces me, her soft,
tear-stained face pressed up against mine. I return the embrace, and we stand
there for a few minutes before we hear sirens in the distance. Apparently,
after hearing the shots that were fired, some people in a cabin not too far up
the mountainside called the police. This time though, we didn't run.
Once the police arrived, we began to explain everything to
the officer in charge. They put the unknown man in handcuffs and my father in a
body bag. The officer sat us in the back of his cruiser as he went to go finish
up things.
“Is it bad that I don’t feel sad?” I ask Anna.
She puts my hand in hers and replies, “Of course not. He was
an awful man and he got what he deserved.”
I nod slowly, and then look up as the officer returns.
“Alright you two,” he says. “You’re going home”
The entire ride back, Anna lays her head against my chest.
At some point, she falls asleep. Before I know it, so do I. When I open my
eyes, were on my street. Anna lives a few houses down from mine. We arrive at
her house first, where her parents are outside waiting. Anna gets out of the
car and runs to them. When she reaches them, they embrace her, tears streaming
down both of their faces. I get out of the car too, but I don’t attempt to walk
over there. I can’t possibly be their favorite person in the world right now.
Eventually, Anna breaks from them and walks back to where I’m standing. She
hugs me, and then we kiss.
“I love you,” she says.
“I love you too,” I reply.
Then, she walks back to her parents and they go inside. I
return to the cruiser and sit in the passenger seat. The officer drives down
the road, but passes my house. Of course he wouldn't take me back to my house,
I thought. There’s no one there to greet me. Instead, he drives me down a little
further to another house; one I only barely recognize. A friend of my mother’s
lived here. Apparently she still did. I get out of the cruiser and walk up to
see a man and a woman standing by the door. I learn later that my mom had named
them my godparents in the case I had nowhere else to go.
“I haven’t seen you in so long, Allan. Look how you've
grown,” the woman (I think her name is Jennifer) says.
“I’m glad to see you’re alright, son,” says the man, whose
name escapes me.
The officer leaves and I’m left standing with two people I
hardly know. They invite me inside and show me to a bedroom upstairs.
“We’d always wanted a child,” says Jennifer. “But, I’m
unable. We’d given up a long time ago.” She smiles, “I’ll be more than proud to
call you my own.”
For some reason, I smile too. I feel as if I've walked into
a dream; one without my deadbeat father, one where I’m free and happy. I walk
into the room and she shuts the door on her way back downstairs. I set my
backpack down and the flop down into the bed. Without even taking off my shoes,
I drift away into a peaceful sleep.
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