Chapter 3 – Runaway

“So, Dereck, this is your room. It will be for at most the next year anyhow. When’s your birthday?” Alex inquired.

“Springtime, why?”

“Because once you are thirteen you’ll room with the older boys, like me.”

“How old are you?”

“Sixteen. So, you were a runaway, right?”

“Well, actually I… well… yes, I suppose so.”

“Suppose so? Well… anyhow, I think that’s pretty cool. I was just orphaned in this very town. Where’s the adventure in that? So what did you think of the girls?”

“They were… interesting?”

“Interesting? Sure. They’re just a pain. But I guess that I have a lot to blame for that. I do set them off and all,” Alex smiled mischievously.

“You had names for them all, didn’t you?”

“Yeah, Rosalind, Demelica, Wosie… among others.”

“What did you call that Sarah girl?”

“Oh… her. I called her something that I wouldn’t recommend you saying, seeing how you’re new here and all.”

“What?”

Alex leaned over to Dereck’s ear and whispered: “Noname,” he then began to speak normally. “Really, though, don’t try it. If you cross Miss Mallorie you’ll be in mighty trouble.”

“Why?”

“Tell you later. So you want to meet the other boys?”

—()—

Sarah stood up and wiped her tears. She had been sitting in the hall for a while and was lucky that no on saw her. Sarah was known for being one of the few girls that didn’t cry. Rose knew better, because for a short time they shared the same area of the room and their beds were close together. No one else knew how she used to cry every night. Miss Mallorie knew how much Alex’s comments hurt her. The few times she caught Alex or any of the other boys calling her ‘Noname’ she’d find a way to punish them. But usually Alex got away with it because Sarah was to proud to tell Miss Mallorie that anything was wrong.

Sarah walked around the right hall to her bedroom and studied her math for class until some of the other girls came in for a moment. “Hi Sarah,” Lindsay and Susie had just walked in, “finish your math homework yet?”

“Almost,” said Sarah, “Multiplication is so hard.”

“I know, and you’re older too,” Lindsay agreed as she put her bag on her bed and walked back towards the door and Susie.

“Only by two years. Our age doesn’t really matter anyway,” Sarah responded, trying to throw off the subject.

“It’s almost dinner time, Lindsay and I are leaving. You coming Sarah?” Susie asked.

“I’ll catch up later,” Sarah answered, “I don’t think I could stand seeing Alex’s face longer than I need too.”

“Suit yourself,” Susie said. “We’ll see you later.”

Sarah sat around for a few minutes before she decided to go for dinner. But as she opened the door to leave the room she saw Alex and the new boy walking down the hall and she quickly shut the door. Sitting back down on her bed, and feeling very sad, she decided not to eat and quickly fell asleep.

—()—

Sarah leapt out of bed and dressed herself, still hurting from the night before. She quickly made her bed before running off to find Rosie.

“Missed you last night,” Rosie said when she saw Sarah enter the room. She had just woken up when Sarah came in and was lying in bed.

“Yeah, I was feeling tired, so I went to bed early,” Sarah answered, trying to put off the subject.

“You looked tired,” Rosie said while sitting up, “I wasn’t all that surprised when you didn’t show up for dinner.

“Did Alex notice?”

“Don’t know,” Rosie answered. “Ready for breakfast?”

The girls left the room, turning right down the girls hall and left into the cafeteria. They both took their trays and stood in line behind a little boy.

“Hey Johnny,” Rose addressed him. “How are you doing?”

“Okay, I guess.”

“How is your worm collection going?” Rose continued talking to him while the line moved forward. The girls took their porridge and sat down at their table with Angelica, after saying goodbye to Johnny.

“Good morning Rosie, Sarah,” Angelica greeted them. “Feeling any better Sarah?”

“I guess so.”

“That’s good,” Angelica remarked, knowing very well that Sarah wasn’t.

Sarah sat quietly and ate; she didn’t really feel like talking to anyone. After a few minutes had passed she looked back up at the girls. “I want to join.”

“What?” Rose asked.

“I want to join,” Sarah repeated, “I want to be a captain.”

“Oh,” Angelica said, “Well, I’m fine with it if Rose is.”

“Sure you can be,” Rosie started, “but first you need to past the test.”

—()—

Meanwhile, the boys were conversing at their table. “How do you like the food, Dereck?” Alex asked.

“It’s alright, I suppose,” answered Dereck, “No better than back home though.”

“Why did you run away?” Tony asked.

“I didn’t technically run away,” he answered after he finished his bite. “I planned on going back as soon as I finished my quest.”

“Quest? What for?” asked Tony.

“Bet it was for treasure!” Exclaimed Johnny.

“Do you have a real treasure map?” asked another small boy, named Jack.

“Did you have to kill any pirates to get it?” A flow of questions came rushing in, each idea crazier than the last. Dereck was a little overwhelmed by all the excited little boys.

“Um, I really planned on keeping it a secret… um, John,” was the only thing that he could think of to say. “Sorry.”

“That’s alright Dereck,” Alex started, “keep your secrets. We all love a little mystery around here, don’t we boys?”

“Yes we do, captain. Can we play pirates now?” asked ten-year-old Erick asked. “Can we?”

“I guess so, but be careful. We don’t want Mallorie to catch you.”

“Yes, sir!”

—()—

Alright Sarah, you ready for the test?” asked General Rose O’Nell.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Then you are to listen to me. Your secret mission is to steal Alex’s hat… off his head, keep it with you for a day, then return it to where it came from.”

“His head?”

“Yes, his head. Once you have done this, you’re in.”

“Alright, don’t think it could be too hard.”

“Good luck, Sarah.” Rosie said as she left the room.

Sarah took a deep breath and said aloud, “Here I come, Alex. It’s about time I get you back.” She left the room and began to look for Alex in the halls. Unable to find him there or the mess hall, she returned to her room. “If all else fails, check the closet,” she said to herself. She carefully moved a stool to one end of the closet, the picked up the old broom and poked up a small square in the ceiling, revealing a hole for her to climb through. Now she closed the door and climbed up the shelves and entered into the attic, placing the wooden square in its place again.

She had been up to the attic many times before. Inside, it was just light enough to see without a candle during the daytime. She was certain that no one else knew how to get up the there, for there never was any sign of other people. The attic was one large doughnut shaped room. Where the middle should have been was the top of the mess hall. On one of the slanted walls was a moveable piece of the roof, which led outside.

Sarah walked quietly over to where the boy’s room ceiling was and lay down on the dust-covered floor, with an ear against the ground. She lay quietly, listening for any signs of Alex. She could hear the normal sounds you might expect from a boys room, and it was quite noisy. But through it all, she could make out his voice.

“So, a quest of some sort… Dereck, are you ever going to give a hint? Or are you simply waiting for the right moment?” she heard him ask.

“Yes, I’ve already told you that I won’t say what it is though,” Dereck snapped back. “Really, it’s my own business and I’d appreciate it if you forgot all about it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to go outside.”

“Outside?” question Alex. “You’re crazy. Don’t you know how cold it is out there? You don’t even have a coat.”

“So what? I didn’t have a coat yesterday, and I was fine.”

“Alright, though Mallorie wouldn’t approve, you should know.”

“I would have thought that by your character you wouldn’t care what she thinks… and neither do I. Goodbye.”

“Now you’re not leaving for good, are you?”

“Maybe, just leave me alone.” Sarah then heard Dereck leave the room.

Now’s my chance, thought Sarah. I could sneak around and get his hat and make a run for it. She stood up while pushing the dust off her then thought of Dereck. That boy really is crazy enough to go, isn’t he? I guess I should go and talk some sense into him. So Sarah left the ruffled Alex behind and tip-toed out the secret side door.

Upon opening the side door she observed Dereck sneaking behind the backyard’s trees. “I’m going out,” Sarah whispered as she stuck her foot out onto the cold, wet roof and closed the door behind her. She then climbed the nearest tree, and used the network of trees to catch up with him quickly and unseen. Judging the right moment, she dropped down in front of him.

“Hello, runaway,” She greeted him.

The boy glanced up, confused. “What are you doing here, girl? Following me this time?”

“Not exactly, I already know where you’re going, and I just came to advise you to turn around.”

“Really, do you?” Dereck began walking again.

“I know you’re trying to get away at least,” she called out to him. “I’ve come to warn you that you won’t get very far with that officer looking after you.”

Dereck turned around, “Don’t worry, that’s why I’m going out the back,” then he turned back and resumed walking.

“He’s not stupid, runaway,” she started walking after him. “He’s been doing this a long time. If you’re caught you’ll be whipped for sure, and then you’ll never get a second chance. Plus, it’s freezing out here!”

“I’m going, girl, so leave me alone.”

“No, you’re not!” she stopped him. “I won’t let you disobey Mrs. Mallorie.”

“And what are you going to do about it, girl? Stop me?”

“Yes, if I have to!” Sarah’s anger boiled over she pushed him as hard as she could, knocking Dereck to the ground. “That’s what you get for running away!”

“You little brat! How dare you?”

“Oh, I think you know why.”

“I’m am not a run away! When will anyone believe me? I’ve said it again and again.”

“Then why aren’t you at home? Don’t give me your silly quest as answer.”

“I told you guys! I had to leave. I had no choice! And, I have every intention of going back.” His eyes and voice were very angry.

Crossing her arms, she puffed, “well, maybe I did too, but it’s too late for me, isn’t it?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Why should I tell you? Miss Mallorie! Quick, the new boy is getting away!” she yelled as loud as she could.

“Get out of my way girl!”

“Stop calling me girl! Miss Mallorie!”

“Stop calling me ‘runaway’!”

“Why won’t you listen to me? If you go out there you could lose everything you have.” Sarah sounded a little desperate now. And in the back of his mind, Dereck could tell that this was important to her.

Just then Miss Mallorie came running out towards them. “Dereck, would you kindly tell me what is going on?”

“Nothing, Miss Mallorie,” he looked down, as if ashamed. “Nothing.”

“Somehow I doubt that. Inside now, both of you, before you catch your death.”

“Yes, Miss Mallorie,” Sarah said as she followed her in, sporting a triumphant look on her face. She turned back to see Dereck glaring at her. She just rolled her eyes and continued inside.

—()—

“He is such an idiot,” Sarah stated to Rose after Dinner that night. “I go out there in the freezing cold and try to save him from getting in trouble, and he’s a complete jerk!”

Rosie looked up at her. “Sarah, don’t go judging people yet. He’s only been here a day and a half and you don’t know him well.”

“Do I need too? You didn’t see the way he treated me. I hate boys!”

“Speaking of them, have you gotten Alex’s hat yet?”

“No.”

“Well, the sooner the better. You have to wait a whole day before the task is complete, you know.”

“Yeah, I know.”

Sarah left Rosie’s room and headed for Alex’s door. While on the way, she passed Dereck. She lifted her head up high, refusing to look at him. Jerk. When she got to the door she pressed her ear against it and listened. She heard a few scattered whispers and decided to chance opening the door slightly.

Listening through the crack she could hear Alex’s voice talking to Tony and some of the younger boys. She peered through the doorway. Yes, she thought. He’s not very far from the door. Very quietly and very slowly she opened the door enough to slide her arm through. Come on, just an inch more, he’s right there on the bed. She pushed through a little more, grabbed Alex’s hat, and ran as fast as she could down the hall. About a third of the way down she heard Alex’s loud “Hey!” so she tucked the hat under her skirt and continued running until closed the door to her room.

Taking a deep breath, she said: “Hey Angelica, guess what I have?”

“Wouldn’t happen to be the secret object, would it?” she asked, raising her eyebrows suspiciously. At this the younger girls visiting the room sat still.

“Yep. Just twenty-four hours to go.”

“What secret object Sarah?” asked seven-year-old Leigh.

“It’s a secret, Leigh. I can’t even tell you.” Sarah answered.

“Oh.”

“Alright, time for bed, girls! Come on, back to your room,” called out Angelica, who was quite good with time. “Hurry up, don’t want to loose out on your beauty sleep.” This made them giggle, and a little more willing to leave the room.