The Runaway

Chapter 28

They ran until their legs gave out. The old man chased them for about fifteen minutes before finally giving up.

Aiden panted heavily. "The man's legs had the speed of a horse, I swear."

Just then, his phone rang. "Hello?" he answered.

Violet watched as he groaned and kicked the leaves on the ground in frustration.

"Alright then. We'll wait." He ended the call. "The car's being stupid so we have to wait until they get it fixed."

"Well great," she mumbled. "What now?"

He pulled out a cigarette. "We find a place to sleep."

She made a face and stepped away. He noticed.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"I hate cigarettes."

He returned the cigarette back to its box. "Sorry."

"You're not going to smoke it?"

He shrugged. "I don't need to. I'm not addicted," he paused, "It just calms me."

"Oh." Her face softened.

"Let's get going."

She nodded. "Okay, lead the way."

They barely had money left, so their only option was the streets. They ended up settling in an empty alleyway that looked creepy and dark.

"Looks like this is our only option." Aiden plopped down the floor and let out a yawn.

"Why is it that I always end up sleeping in places like this?" she questioned. Violet also yawned and her stomach began growling. She still had her bag of chips even through all of the running, thank the lord. Just opening the bag made her ears want to explode with joy. A jalapeño aroma filled the air and into their nostrils.

Aiden stared at the chips with greediness. "You've got to share some of that."

She pulled the bag away. "No way, I payed for this. Plus you don't even need to eat this, I do."

He rolled his eyes. "Whatever, I just wanted a taste. You go ahead and eat that. I bet it's extra crispy with a very, very, savory jalapeño flavor."

She glared at him, sighed and then threw a chip at his face. It fell down to his mouth where he devoured it whole. "You must really love chips."

"It's not as satisfying as the good stuff, but it's still delicious." He held out his hand for more.

"No," she said and stuffed her face. She was starving. Every bite felt like paradise to her tastebuds.

"Whatever." Aiden rested his head against the brick wall behind them and shut his eyes.

She sat there in silence enjoying the last few crumbs of the bag. Violet analyzed their surroundings. Everything was dark and it was too cold without a blanket, which they didn't have. They were sleeping like they were homeless. Were they homeless? Did they have a home to belong to?

She was tired. She decided to use the empty chip bag as a very thin pillow and a barrier from the ground to her head. She fell asleep next to Aiden, ignoring the sadness and desperation lurking in the back of her head. This was her life now.