Running Away

I stepped into the new house with the first box. I set the box down in the living room. I looked at my mom and she smiled. My little sister was caring in a smaller box.

“How long are we going to keep doing this?” asked Kayden.

“As long as he keeps finding us. I don’t think he will find us here for awhile.” Replied my mom.

I went back out to the van to get another box. We didn’t have much but we were starting to collect more and more everytime we went somewhere. As I was getting out another box, I saw a boy about my age going into his house. He lived about five houses down from me across the street.

“Honey?” asked my mom.

“What?” I asked.

“You ok?” she asked.

“I’m fine. I am just sick of moving around all the time. I want a bed again. I hate sleeping on the floor in a sleeping bag. I want to keep my friends. ” I replied.

“Hayden I know but Hun we don’t have time to take apart beds and plus we don’t have room in our van.” She said.

“Why cant we just live in motels instead of buying houses? They have beds.” I replied.

“I don’t want people to think less of us and were just renting. We didn’t buy anything.” She said touching my shoulder.

I pulled away and took another box inside. I walked past Kay without even looking at her. I put the box down and I went back outside.

“Hun can you help me get the couch out of the truck?” asked my mom.

“Yeah.” I replied.

We walked over to the truck and Kay came over to help. I climbed into the truck to get the other end while my mom got the end on the outside, Kay just stood there waiting for the side. I slowly walked forward; I didn’t want to knock my mom over. Once I got to the edge of the truck, Kay grabbed the couch while I got down to the ground, once I was done I took it from her. My mom and I carried the couch into the living room and set it down. Then we went back out to get the rest of the boxes and our small TV. Once we were done it was dinnertime and mom started dinner. I went to my room, got out my sleeping bag, and started to set up my bed. I sat on the floor and looked at the boxes. I knew I shouldn’t unpack, because we won’t be here for long. He will find us soon. I took my sketchbook out of my bookbag. I replace its place with some notebooks; we were to start school tomorrow here. I was once again to make some friends then leave them and never speak to them again. I was all alone in the world. How was I supposed to find myself? How was I supposed to fall in love? I couldn’t live my life, but I guess this was meant to be my life, it beats being back to where we were in life, the horror and the dread of him, his anger, rage, and his games. This was much better than the way we were living before. I took out my drawing pen and opened my sketchbook. I leaned up against the wall and started drawing, it always made me feel better, it got me to get out my pain, anger, and it cleared my head.

“Hayden?” asked Kay standing in my doorway.

I looked up from my drawing.

“Yes?” I asked.

“It’s dinnertime.” She said.

“Oh.” I replied getting up.

When Kay says my name in that voice I think back to the night when there was blood all over her face, tears rolling down her checks, and blood coming out of my mouth and nose. I dreaded to see her like that again. I wanted to kill him that night but only got what he gave me. I got up and followed her to the kitchen to eat dinner. All we had was a folding table and three folding chairs to eat on, but I guess that’s all you really need, you really don’t need anything fancy, people just want fancy things. I sat done next to Kay. My mom brought over our plates with food on them. She placed them down in front of us and then sat down in front of hers. I looked at my plate and then at theirs.

“Why do I have more?” I asked.

“Your really skinny and I noticed you haven’t been eating much lately. You’re a growing boy you need to eat.” Replied my mom.

“I’m not that hungry.” I replied.

“Well your not getting up from this table until you eat it all.” She said.

I sighed and picked up my fork and started eating. After dinner, I took a shower because I felt dirty because of all the unloading. I got of the shower and put on my boxers and pajama pants. I went into my room. My mom was in there with my sketchbook in her hands. I forgot to put it away.

“What are you doing?” I yelled yanking my sketchbook from her.

“Hayden I didn’t know you were that good of an artist.” She replied.

“Why are you looking at my sketchbook that is private!” I yelled throwing it across the room.

“I didn’t know I’m sorry. I just came in to see if you set up your bed.” She said.

“You mean my sleeping bag?” I asked sarcastically.

“Set your cell phone alarm for 6:30 in the morning. If you’re not up by 6:40, I’m coming in here to make sure your awake. Goodnight.” She said leaving the room and shutting the door.

I could tell I upset her but she upset me. She was looking at my private sketchbook. The thing I keep all my feelings and emotions. I picked up my sketchbook, sat down, and leaned up against the wall. I opened it up to the very first drawing. The drawing brought back pain and fear. Tears formed in my eyes and I started to break down.

Mom’s POV

I sat in my bedroom wonder what was going through Kayden and Hayden’s heads. I knew this was hard for them but we had to do it. If he found us that would be the end of it. We will be back into our old world of terror and pain. I hated that. I wanted a normal life for them but it wasn’t possible I married the wrong man. Well he was the right man at the time, and then he turned to an alcoholic. Tomorrow I was going to search for a job. I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to get one since i have only worked for a little while at previous jobs. I needed a job though. I needed to support my kids and myself. We were running low on money, but I didn’t want to tell them that because I knew they would get worried and I didn’t want them to worry anymore than they already are. I wanted them to focus on going to school and getting good grades. I didn’t want them to worry about him or money. I rolled over and tried to go to sleep, but many things were going through my head.

Hayden’s POV

I couldn’t sleep. Every first night in a new place I can’t sleep. I rolled onto my side. Then my door opened. I waited for the figure to show.

“Hayden?” asked Kay.

“Huh?” I asked sitting up.

“I’m scared.” She said.

“Come here.” I said.

She shut the door, came over, and sat down next to me.

“Kay there is nothing to be scared of.” I replied rubbing her back.

“I’m scared he’s going to find us again and soon and that will be it.” She said.

“Kay you want to sleep in here tonight?” I asked.

“Please?” she asked.

“Yeah, go get your sleeping bag.” I said.

She got up and opened the door. She stepped out a little bit then came back in with her pillow and sleeping bag. She shut the door.

“You were planning on sleeping in here?” I asked.

She nodded. I got up and helped her lay out her sleeping bag. She climbed in and I got back into mine. I laid back down and stared at the ceiling. When will this all be over? I just wanted a normal life.