Chapter Ten – The Lights
Saturday, April 7th
Sneaking onto a bus is easier than I thought it would be. I simply sneak on while the driver is busy loading luggage into the bottom of the bus and hide in the toilet. I keep the door closed, but not locked because then a light would appear, showing someone is in it. I wait to hear the bus start and once I feel us moving, I count to twenty slowly before then getting out and moving into the first empty seat I see. No one even looks at me twice.
It’s a mostly vacant bus and nearly everyone is gazing out their window, listening to whatever is going through their headphones. A few are reading books. I have no idea where I am headed, I just got on the first bus whose driver wasn’t there.
I sit towards the back and rest my head against the glass window. I rarely ever get to ride in any form of transport these days and the rocking feels discomforting, unnatural. I want to sleep through it, yet my mind refuses to switch off.
Gavin is dead. Why? What does this man want with me? I steal basic foods, nothing over a few dollars. It really doesn’t make any sense.
Will Gavin’s family be notified of his death? Will they even care? Maybe I should have gone and visited them before I left?
I stole an old pair of black jeans and a worn, faded grey t-shirt from the second hand store before heading out. Although it’s not any warmer than my last clothing, it at least looks different. I don’t say goodbye to anyone because there is no one to say goodbye to. Gavin is gone and I don’t care about being near Aunt Lesley and Uncle Sid.
Maybe leaving is a good thing. Being in the same town they’re in was bound to cause problems eventually. I’m surprised I never ran into them on the street. After I ran away, they never even came looking for me. I never saw pictures posted on trees and poles on the street like I sometimes see other kids or even animals. I doubt anyone knew I existed because I had lived with them for years and hardly ever left the house. I didn’t go to school, being home schooled by my Aunt. I was never allowed to have friends or go to kids’ parties. I never had a birthday party of my own, well, at least not one I can remember.
Sometimes, when I was allowed to watch television, I would look at the families on there and wonder why things were so different for me. Why everyone was almost always happy. Now I know it’s just because I have an awful family who hates me.
I rest my eyes and try to think about something other than my dreadful family. My thoughts are wasted on them.
Taken By Surprise Page 20