22 April 2012
Chapter 5. The Big Escape
I pulled my backpack over my shoulder and tip-toed down the stairs. I turned the knob of the front door and pulled it open. A gentle breeze washed my face. For the last time, I looked back at the house where I had lived; all my life. Did I really HAVE to go? I could just pretend that yesterday never happened at all! But I knew... That I could never pretend that they were my step-parents and my step-brother! I could NEVER pretend that I didn't have a REAL mum! I was going. And that's that. I carefully closed the door and started walking down Harvy Drive. My directions said that I need to go up Kiraw Street, then take the 3rd exit onto Love Lane. Weird street name- I wondered. That's when I realised the directions I had where for a car. Not for a lonely 12 year old kid, walking. I would have to cross motorways and busy roads. This wasn't going to be easy nor safe. I kept walking until I arrived at my school. Carmel Gardens Seniors. I turned onto Linter Lane. The reason I decided to leave at midnight was because, there is much more light- but not too clear for everyone to see me. Plus; the streetlights work much better at midnight than at any other time. The streets were silent. The only noise I could hear were frogs and crickets. I crossed Warby Drive then turned left at the Denworth College of Science. I eventually reached... The motorway. It was quiet too. Occasional cars zooming past: thinking that the police wouldn't catch them because it's midnight! I looked down at directions again. I had to keep walking straight ahead. Until I reached the M1. That was ages away. Most probably two hours away for me. I looked down at my watch 12:45. I would walk for another hour. Then, I would get some rest. I walked down the motorway, hiding behind a bush every-time a car went by. I ended up walking for 1 and a half hours. That's when I started to feel tired. I found a big, tall tree and put down my backpack. Got my pillow and blanket and placed them on the soft soil. I grabbed my jacket and put it on. It was 2:30 in the morning. My head hit my pillow and I fell sound asleep. I woke to the sound of cars rushing by. I checked the time. 7:18 AM. I looked around for some bushes. I saw some afew metres away from where I was. I picked up my bag and packed my pillow and blanket back in. I carefully (so no-one in the cats would see me) ran to the bushes. I really need to pee! I squated down and let out a sigh of relief. Now my bladder wasn't full. But my stomach wasn't either. I need to make sure I don't waste all of my food. After all, I didn't bring any money! I sat down-away from my toilet and, from my backpack, pulled out a small slice of bread. I gulped it down in one bite. I drank half a bottle of water and ate half an orange. I knew I had to walk as much as I could today, the motorway was usually packed with cars at around 8:00-9:00 AM. I needed to move fast. I check my directions. I had to keep walking for another half an hour probably. Then I would reach the A4. I hope I reach there soon! I walked and walked until my legs, feet, toes and my brain was tired and aching. I needed a quick break. I sat behind a tree and took out my bottle of water. I had a few sips and started walking again. I felt like I could collapse any minute. But I had to keep moving. Finally, I reached the M1. The directions said I had to turn right and then drive up to the M62 for three kilometres. Wow! People drive so far! They should have a pavement somewhere, I thought to my self. I walked, then jogged, then ran. I HAD to reach mum. I had to see her. Feel her hugging me. I wanted her more than EVER in my life. I wanted to be home! It was now 8:45 AM. I needed to stop. I HAD to stop. People would start to go to work. Everyone would get onto the roads I need to find somewhere I could rest for a couple of hours. I kept walking; until I found a immense tree surrounded by bushes. No-one would ever see me here. I dropped my bag and cleared the ground of sticks and stones. I lay on my back thinking of Philip, Mary, Lucas and most of all... About Mum! I know I'll be safe here. No-one will ever find me. I just need to make sure I don't over sleep! I was wrong about being safe! I was also wrong about no-one finding me! Someone DID find me!
Runaway (Chapter 5) • Opuss № I