When I finally woke up it was dark out and my neck was stiff from my awkward position. I sat up and stretched, cracking all my limbs. Cussing quietly from the pain I looked around, wondering when my hotel room had gotten so big.

Then I remembered. The events of the day all came crashing down on me at once and my shoulders slumped. "So much for that good mood," I muttered sulkily, sliding off the bed. My stomach was growling loudly and I realized I hadn't eaten anything since the nachos Annie had bought me at a gas station on the way up here.

I crossed the room quietly and opened the door, peering out into the hall. The only sound was of Mr. Davis's snoring, so I slipped out of the room and down the stairs to the kitchen. The only light was from the full moon outside peering through the window over the sink, and I accidentally tripped over Sandy's food dish, causing the dry food to spray across the floor. I cussed under my breath and shuffled to the fridge slowly, not wanting to knock over anything else.

Just as I grabbed the handle to pull it open I heard a low growl behind me. I turned around and saw a small shape moving across the floor towards me. "Sandy?" I whispered. The shape stopped moving for a moment, then growled again. "Sandy, its me boy. Remember me?"

He stepped into the patch of moonlight on the floor and cocked his head at me, then started wagging his tail. I rolled my eyes and turned around again, opening the fridge. "Some guard dog you are," I muttered. My eyes roamed the shelves of the fridge searching for some half decent food, and eventually settled on a box of pepperoni slices. Not ideal, but it would do. I snatched it and closed the door again, leaning against the counter to eat my midnight snack.

Sandy yawned and stretched, then turned around and trotted out of the room, obviously underwhelmed at his 'burglar'. I went after him, planning to go back to bed and hope that this whole situation would be different in the morning, but when I reached the foyer I paused. Someone had left the front door unlocked, and that gave me an idea. Glancing around, I approached it and very slowly turned the knob. I pulled it open and peered outside, letting the cool night air wash over me. It was getting to be fall but it was still warm enough that my leather jacket would be enough.

I closed the door again and turned around, racing up the stairs. When I reached my bedroom I dragged my school backpack out from under the bed and took the leather jacket from where I had tossed it. I slipped it on, and after a moment of hesitation I stuck the box of pepperoni into the front pocket of the bag. I picked it up and settled it on my shoulders, then snuck out of the room again.

Once I was in the foyer I cut through the kitchen, looking around for the door to the basement. After I went through several doors that led to closets or bathrooms I found it, and hurried down the stairs. I went through another door down there that led to the garage, and flicked a light on. I squinted for a moment in the bright light, then began searching for my skateboard. A minute later I found it stuffed behind a bike rack, along with the helmet. I grabbed them both and went back through the basement to the kitchen.

I adjusted the backpack on my back and strapped the helmet on, then opened the front door again. I stepped out into the night and closed the door behind me, rushing down the porch steps to freedom.

I reached the bottom of the driveway and hopped on my skateboard. This was going to be a different ride than usual. The rides I took to school were slow and easy, usually because I had to go through neighborhoods with kids. During competitions I was going for perfection in my turns and tricks. This would have to be fast, as fast as I could go. I didn't want the Davis's to wake up and find me gone, then catch me easily. If I had it my way, no one would catch me.

I kicked off the ground and rolled away from the house, not looking back. And why would I? There was nothing there that I would miss.

AN: Sorry for the short chapter, but I was really busy today. And there probably won't be one tomorrow either, I'm going on a little road trip, so no computer. :( Next chapter up monday, I promise!