Run While You Can

heads up, there are a few spelling mistakes, I rushed through this so I could make the dead line.

“Why are you still here?” My father screams at me as I grab my guitar.

“You said I could pack my stuff” I respond cautiously, grabbing my backpack, already full of clothes and food.

“OUT!” He screams again. I don’t argue rushing out of my room. I run past my mother still sitting on the couch crying. It’s like I just told them I was a murderer or something. I swing the front door open greeted with a gush of cold wind and rain. I sigh and turn back to my father who stands fuming beside my mother.

“Get the hell out of here!” he points to the door. My mother doesn’t even look up at me, as I trudge out the front door. By the time I reach the end of the street, I’m already drenched head to toe. Where am I supposed to go now? I pull my phone out of my jeans and call Jake. It only takes him a second to answer.

“Hey mate, what’s up?” he says in a familiar voice.

“Hey Jake are you doing anything at the moment?” I ask trying to stop my voice from straining.

“Nah, can’t really do much with this massive storm, Why, what’s wrong Kayden?”

“Can you come and pick me up,” I almost whisper, my voice cracking. The line falls silent for a few seconds, then I hear the jingling of keys.

“Where are you?” Jake asks in a rushed voice.

“The park at the end of my street,” I blubber into the phone.

“I’ll be there in ten,” Jake says and the line goes dead. I cross the street over to the park, rain dripping down my cheeks. I sit down on the swing at the edge of the park, resting my guitar and backpack on the floor. The swing seats soaking wet, but I’m already drenched through so it doesn’t matter. Water rolls off my face landing in my lap as I watch Jake’s icon move through the streets on maps, he’ll be here soon.

I spot Jake’s red Corolla turning around the corner and pulling up by the park. The door flies open, and Jake steps out with an umbrella. I jump off the swing trudging over to him, with all my stuff.

“Hey,” I mumble, as he runs over to me.

“Kayden, what happened?” he asks worried, cupping my chin in his hand.

“They found out,” I cry “The-they found my binder,”

“Oh Kayden,” Jake pulls me into his chest. “Let’s go back to my place ok?” He leads me back to the car and I slide into the passenger seat, he throws my stuff in the back and drives off.

“Thanks, Jake,” I slouch into the chair.

“Anytime mate,” he sighs. We ride in silence the rest of the way home. When we reach his place I slip out of the car and under his arm, as he walks us to the front door. Jake places my guitar on the floor and pulls out the keys fiddling with them before slipping them into the lock.

“C’mon,” he ushers me inside. I’m soon greeted by a six-year-old grabbing onto my leg.

“Hey Issy,” I smile, lifting her into my arms.

“Ew,” she squeals “Why are you all wet?” she laughs, practically jumping out of my arms.

“Nice to see you too,” I laugh.

“Jake, you get him?” I hear someone call from further in the house.

“Yeah, ma I got him,” Jake calls out leading me to the kitchen.

“Oh, Kayden honey,” Jake’s mum yells as I walk into the kitchen “What did they do to you now?” she sighs grabbing my arms.

“I’m ok Mrs López,” I sigh.

“Oh don’t be silly love, just call me María,” she pats my shoulder dragging me into the kitchen, sitting me down on one of the dining chairs. “Tell me what happened?” she says gently.

“Ma-,” Jake interrupts.

“hush Jake,” she says waving him away “Go find Kayden some dry clothes,”

“It’s ok I have other clothes,” I say pulling at my backpack.

“Don’t be silly love,” she says picking up my bag “Jake wash these!” she yells throwing my bag to him.

“Sure ma,” he sighs climbing the stairs behind him.

“Now tell me everything.” Mrs López says leaning against the kitchen counter,

“My parents finally kicked me out,” I shrug.

“Oh darling,” she says “Those asses don’t deserve a kid like you,” She reaches over patting my hair “Well you can stay here for as long as you need, we have a spare room after all,”

“What?” I ask, tears threatening to rush out of my eyes. Is she really offering me a place to stay just like that?

“You’re welcome to stay here for as long as you need,” she smiles bending down in front of me. “You’re always welcome here Kayden,”

“Oh,” my voice cracks “are you sure?” I whisper looking away. Mrs López pulls my face back towards her.

“Of course, you poor boy,” she smiles pulling me into a hug. I start sobbing on her shoulder, she doesn’t even flinch away. She doesn’t yell or look at me funny, She’s just holding me. Why? Why don’t my parents do this? “Now come on, let’s get you out of these clothes.” She says gently, leading me up to the bathroom and snatching a pair of clothes and a towel from Jake. “here honey, take a nice warm shower, and we’ll talk more after, ok?” she smiles pushing me into the bathroom.

“Thank you,” I say in a trembling voice, pushing the door close, and firmly locking it. I dump the clothes onto the basin and pull off my sticky, wet, cold clothes throwing them onto the bath mat. I close my eyes and pull off my binder. Pulling open the shower I turn on the taps, hot water falling onto me. I look up letting the water wash away my tears, my body stops shaking and I start to relax. I take a deep breath, refusing to look down, I grab Jake’s soap and gently cover my body, I reach my chest and hesitate. quickly I cover it in soap and wash it off.

I step out of the shower, grab the towel and wrap it around me, now I need to make a decision. My binder is soaking wet, but I don’t have anything else, I reach down grabbing the saturated piece of cloth, as I hear a knock on the door.

“Kayden?” It’s Jake.

“Yeah?”

“I got one of your binders, It’s almost completely dry. Do you want it?” He says.

“Yes, yes, yes please,” I say hurrying over to the door. I pull it open slightly and Jake hands me the binder. “Thanks”

“yeah, of course,” he says closing the door. I quickly pull on my binder and the rest of the clothes.

“Hey, Jake?” I call down the hall.

“Yeah!” he yells back.

“What do I do with my clothes?”

“Leave them there I’ll grab them,” he says emerging from his room.

“Thanks,” I make my way back downstairs and am once again attacked by a small six year old.

“Hi!” she says excitedly. “Mummy’s been talking about you!” she squeals.

“What’d she say?” I ask nervously.

“Something, something social service, something, something abuse,” she says smiling.

“Oh, um I need to go,” I hurry out to the kitchen. “Mrs López?” She turns to me with a smile.

“Hey, Kayden, feeling better?” she smiles kindly.

“Are you calling social services about this?” I ask itching at my thumb.

“Kayden-” she starts, with a pitiful look in her eye.

“Why?” I cry out “They’ll just make it worse,” I almost start crying again.

“No, no Kayden they can help you,” she hurries over to me “I promise they can help,”

“I-I don’t want to lea-leave,” I stutter.

“Oh, Kayden it’s going to be alright,” she says pulling me into her arms.

There’s a knock at the door and I retreat away from Mrs López. She walks over to the door pulling it open.

“Hello, ma’am I got a call about a child who was kicked out of home,” I freeze looking over to the man standing by the door in a full uniform. I quickly retreat upstairs to Jake’s room. He’s still in there.

“What’s up,” he says turning to look at me, his face dropping “What happened?”

“You-your mum, she, she called child protective services,” I stutter running into his room, crashing into his chest.

“What?” Jake looks down at me “Why?”

“I don’t know,” I cry into his chest. There’s a knock at the door.

“Am I to presume this is Kayden then?” An official voice says.

“Piss off,” Jake hisses, pulling me closer.

“Sir, I’m going to need to talk to your friend, alone,” the man says.

“Over my dead body,” Jake responds sternly.

“What do you want?” I cut in.

“I just want to help you Kayden,” the man says.

“Stop lying,” I spin around looking at the officer “Why is everyone lying to me!” I scream.

“I’m not lying Kayden,” the officer says, inching closer. “I’m here to help, just tell me what happened,”

“My parents kick me out. What were you expecting some sob story?” I yell.

“Kayden, if you would just come with me,-”

“No!” I say backing into Jake.

“Mate get the hell out of my house,” Jake says grabbing me.

“Kayden if you don’t come with me right now, I’ll arrest this family for kidnapping you.” the officer threatens.

“What? you can’t do that,” I fall quiet.

“I can and will, all I’m asking is that you come with me,” he sighs “Don’t make this harder than it needs to be,” I freeze. make it harder than it has to be? What, he thought I’d just leave with him? What the hell is wrong with everyone, first I get kicked out of my bloody house, and now this. It’s Not Fair!

“Fine,” I march out of the room “Let’s go, I’ll kill myself on the way!” I scream running down the stairs, closely followed by the officer and Jake.

“What’s going on?” Mrs López calls as I storm over to the door.

“Piss off you lying piece of shit!” I scream throwing the door open.

“Calm down Kayden,” the officer calls out. I stand out in the rain as the officer opens his car, pushing me inside.

He drives me to a police station and pulls me inside. We’re quickly greeted by another officer, she seems familiar.

“Jason what’s going on,” she says looking over to the officer.

“This kid got kicked out a few hours ago by his parents,” he pats me on the shoulder, and I slap his hand away.

“I know that kid,” the woman says looking at me.

“Grace?” She smiles down at me “What’s going on?”

“Who the hell are you?” I yell.

“It’s me, Mary, I’m friends with your mum,” she tries grabbing my hand, but I rip it away.

“Of course you are,” I roll my eyes.

“This can’t be right,” she looks back up at the other officer. “Amy and John are great people they would never kick their daughter out,” I physically cringe at hearing her call me their daughter.

“You clearly don’t know my parents,” I huff. “they’re horrible,”

“Don’t say things like that about your parents,” Mary frowns at me “You probably just ran off again,” she says.

“Give me the kid Jason I’ll call his parents and get him home,” she pulls my shoulder.

“What?” I look at her “I don’t want to go back there,” she looks down at me and laughs.

“Teenagers these days,” she shakes her head leading me off to a different room. “Now stay here,” she says, locking the door. I’m left alone and the waterworks start, crap, what am I supposed to do now. What are they going to do with me when they get here, are they going to hurt me? yell at me? beat me? Are they going to kill me?

“Grace, great news your parents are here,” I hear a sing-song voice call out before two people step into the room. No, no, no, no.

“Grace!” my mother calls out running over to me and dragging me into a hug. “Oh you poor girl, don’t worry we’re here we’ll fix you,” she whispers into my ear.

“What?” I freeze.

“Oh John look, she was so scared she’s been crying look,” my mother wipes away my tears, I wish I could just run right now.

“come on girls let’s get you both home,” My father calls out.

“I don’t want to,” I say pulling away from my mother.

“Grace!” my father yells.

“Sorry, sorry I’m coming,” I cry, standing up. they lead me out to the road.

“Our car’s just across the street.” My father says. I suddenly felt a terrible urge to do something, something very bad, I start to run.

“Grace!” my mum calls out, as I step onto the road. I see lights speeding towards me and here screeching of brakes. Who knows maybe I’ll get to be a real boy in my next life.