The runaway

Part One

(you)

Im currently living from one friend's house to another to stay hidden from my mother. She's a crazy woman who's been trying to kill me for years now. She blames me for the death of my father and two younger brothers. But what she doesn't know is that I was never there that night, I tried explaining that to her but she was so far drunk and high that she couldn't get her own story straight. So since then, since December 24th 2023, when she tried to kill me, I left and never looked back.. or at least tried to. She follows me everywhere I go, she somehow knows. Every place I go to, every person I see, she's there watching, waiting for me to be alone.

It's now February 6th 2026, I've been living with my friend Sophia for about two weeks now, I notice my mom outside her window inching closer and closer to the house every night when everyone goes to sleep and she knows I know. I've been planning an escape in which she'll never be able to find me. I just need a few more days to finish it. But for now I will go to sleep.

(Couple of days later)

I didn't notice my mother outside last night, which just means she's planning on trying to get in tonight, I have to leave before that. I texted my friend and asked if she could drop me off at the bus stop, she asked a lot of questions but I told her it was for the best she didn't know for now. She gave me a face of disappointment but she understood why and let it be.

4 o'clock comes and off we went, I got a bus ticket to the one place I know my mom would never visit again... California, my mom hated California so much, she swore to never let us go and that it was nothing but bad people there. I think she just pissed the wrong people off but anyways.

I get to California 13 hours later, being completely exhausted and not being able to sleep the entire way. I get off and grab my bags, or at least what I had left. I get an uber and head to the little apartment I found online that I was accepted for despite being only 17. The lady was really understanding when I explained a little of my story to her.

I go to the main office to be greeted by an older man.

"Hi, may I help you?"
"Uh yeah, I'm here to get the keys for my apartment"
"Oh yes, name?"
"Malia Flores"
"Ah yes I see, here you go, it's the second floor"
"Thank you"

I grab what I had and went to my apartment number. Unlocking the door I see a few guys coming up the stairs, I rush to open the door and slam it shut. I let out a sigh and out my stuff down. Staring at the empty place. I walked around, looking at the kitchen, living room, the room, the bathroom. I was excited knowing that I could finally rest, and even if I couldn't.. I had at least 13 hours to do so.

(Couple of days later)

I get a knock at my door scaring me, I walk over to the door and look through the peephole to see two guys standing there. I sigh and open the door.
"Oh.. hi uh we heard someone new had moved in here and has wanted to see if you'd want to come join us down in the pool, we're doing a little get together party"
"That's very uh thoughtful of you but I'm not too sure, thank you though"
"Of course"

I shut the door and start to cry, sliding down the door holding myself. I just wanted a normal life. But I spent so long running from my mother that I don't know what that's like.

I sat there for the next two hours debating wether I should go or not, I decided to just go and check it out. See how many people would be there..

I walk out my door and hear a bunch of people talking down stairs. Getting more nervous I hear them start walking upstairs. I open my door to go inside but was stopped
"Hey.."
I let out a small sigh and turn around
"Hi"
"Were you gonna come?"
"Uhh I'm not sure"
"Hey who you talking to?"
A pretty girl with long brown hair walks up next to him
"Was inviting her to the pool, she's new"
"Ohh yeah you should come, there's only gonna be a few people"
"Maybe next time, kinda need to furnish my place"
"Ahh all good then, hope to see you around"

I walk back inside and start shopping on my phone for furniture. When my grandparents died they left everything to me, their assets, their cars, their money, their multiple different homes. I sold all the homes and kept the money put up until it was really needed.. like now. So that's what I did for the next few hours, decided on furniture that I actually wanted and pressed deliver.

I laid there on the floor, my eyes getting heavier by the second, I pondered in my thoughts a bit more then fell asleep.

                             (The next day)

I get woken up to my neighbors yelling about something that I couldn't care less about. I get a message on my phone that the stuff I ordered was here and the delivery people were waiting.

I grab my shoes and head downstairs, directing them to my apartment and the placement. We spent a good 3 hours getting everything built and settled where I had wanted. But at least now I had the living room done as well as my bedroom. Just needed to buy the small simple things.

I decided to do the later and to go on a walk, I looked at the map for what was near me and there was a park mile away. I got changed into new clothes and grabbed my purse and headed to the door. Before opening the door I stopped and took a deep breath then opened it.