The Life Of Jason Dawnley

Hello everyone, my name is Jason Dawnley; I am a normal, 15 year old boy from a town on the outskirts of London. Ha, I wish, I'm everything but normal. Truth is I am one of the craziest people you are ever going to meet but at the moment, I am just hungry, tired and since a few hours ago, homeless. Turns out my mums new 'soul mate' was more important to her than her own son. As for my father, he left years ago, couldn't handle my mother I guess. Hopefully I will find him someday, get some answers, but that will have to wait, for now I'm just wandering the streets with nothing but a bag on my back and guitar on hand, hoping to survive the night. To be honest, if I had a bit more sense, I would have bought some food with me and some more clothes, but I hadn't thought that far ahead. All I brought with me was the twenty quid I had on me, a toothbrush, a bottle of water, a photo of my little brother who I had to leave behind, me and my dad. I also brought hope with me. Hope is a plush toy dolphin I had since I was born.

I know what you're thinking, what could possibly have happened to make me want to leave everything behind. Well, when you have a mother who hardly knows you exist and a step-dad who would happily sell you for a bottle of beer, you kind of run out of reasons to stay. She got with this guy she met at a bar, he has a well-paid job, and my mother is a sucker for a guy with a big wallet. She just didn't see what he was like with kids before she invited him into our house. He isn't good with them. Not at all. But there was one reason to stay and until now, it outweighed all of the bad things in my life. My brother. His name is jack and he is my life. He has auburn hair with pale skin. I really wish I didn't have to leave him behind, but the streets are no place for a 10 year old boy like him. He isn't exactly the best when it comes to looking after himself. Maybe I will come back for him, but I can't stay any longer. I have to leave, today.

I left my house and told my mum nothing, though she would have been too wrapped into the TV to even notice. All I left was a note which simply said

"I'm done, I can't live with that maniac you call a husband anymore, I can't handle the pain"

I stuck my note to the TV because I knew that this was the only way they would notice I was gone. I spent my day walking, I had no idea where I was going or which direction, I just walked. It was a strange feeling that I had when I left. I felt a mixture of feeling free and feeling alone. Within a split second, I had become my own man who didn't depend on anyone else apart from me. It felt good to be honest. As I walked further and further away from the place I once called home, I knew that I was becoming more detached from my brother. I knew that it wouldn't be long until he knew I was gone, and thought I had just left him like he thought his father did all those years ago. He was a little young to remember our father. He was an amazing man in my eyes. He was the splitting image of me. Jack looked more like my mother than my father but you could still tell that they were related. No one knows his reason for leaving; I know my father and know that he wouldn't leave me with that witch of a mother unless it was serious. I hope it isn't too serious.

I spent about half an hour walking into town. It was the only place I could think of to go and not really knowing what to do with myself. I kind of just wandered around like a puppy whose been let off his leash for the first time. I got myself a milkshake at the diner in town thinking about what I was going to do. but I know what I am going to do. I am going to find my father. I have no idea where he is though, that's the only problem. Well, I guess I might as well start looking, anywhere, As long as I'm as far away from here as possible. I left the diner then and there and began walking.

It must be about 7 o'clock in the evening, I think. It's really hard to keep track of time when you don't have a watch. All I know at the moment is 'I'm hungry'. I got myself a sandwich at a local shop and opened my water and just ate. When in eating, it's like it's all ok, a lovely BLT reminds me of when my dad used to take me out, that was our Saturday activity. We used to have so much fun. I really miss him, if I knew where he had gone, I would have gone to look for him, but I don't. I began to learn my first lesson about looking after myself, never plan ahead. I need to find somewhere I can stay for the night first before I can even think about tomorrow. The only problem is where I am going to go.

I decided to have a little look around for somewhere to stay. I looked and looked but couldn't find anywhere suitable. In the end I had to settle with a park bench. I'm not even sure of the time now. I just know it's dark. I looked at the picture of my family, hugged little hope, and tried my best to fall asleep. Being on my own was supposed to make me happier than I was at home, but I still went to sleep scared and afraid.