A Camera and A Hood

Prologue

Not edited. Not revised. Pretty much the first draft. ~EB

Cady Nute's POC

Dragging out the big black bag, I glance toward my destination. Only a few more feet, then I can put the sack into the hole. I grunt picking up the heavy and awkward bag, so I can get this thing done with sooner.

The outside door slams into the wall. "Are you done taking out the trash yet?" my step father grumbles at me, "I need you to do something for-"

"Stefan," I grumble right back, "How about you go finish my school project for me? Hmm? Do you want my mother yelling and grounding me for the rest of the month? I won't be able to help pay-"

"Fine, kid," he rumbles, "Finish your damn project. Then, go get me some money –however you do it."

"I'm not stripping Stefan," I inform him dryly as I drop the trash bag next to the can.

Stefan chuckles, "Maybe not. Fifty, at least, by the morning."

"Okay, Stefan," I reply heaving the black bag into the trashcan, "Just know that I may not have time to fetch beers for you and your friends this weekend." And... rude comment or growled complain?

"Just go get your camera and get out of here." Something's up.

I walk into the house past him rushing into my room upstairs. A minute later, I sneak downstairs trying to be quiet. Although my mother turns him into a little baby, he is still dangerous when angry. I have on my hoody and have my camera in hand. I just need out the door. I quietly walk toward the front door.

A force hits my face making me stumble into the wall. Fuck...

"Get my money, kid," Stefan hisses glaring down at me, "If I need you here, you will be here."

I groan muttering: "Stefan... you should have hit lower."

"What?" he growls towering over me.

I stagger to my feet. "Or hope that this," I say pointing to my cheek, "won't bruise. Mother knows that I don't wear makeup. You'll be six feet under before Officer Louis can file an incident of child abuse."

He backs up, halting from saying anything. He doesn't know that his brother won't arrest him, but that doesn't matter. He knows that mother will kick his ass if he hurts me. It only matters that he just gave me the chance to escape.

I bolt up the stairs to my room slamming the door shut. I throw my cash and a few other necessities in a bag of clothes that I have packed at all times. Flinging open my window, I climb onto the overhang taking the bag with me.

I should have done this in the first place.

I climb down the tree next to my window. I head to the park where I planned to take my pictures. When I get close, I see flashing red and blue lights. I follow my instincts and run the block to the park.

"Hey," I exclaim, "Can you guys move slower?" I lift up my camera and take a few shots. Six guys. They are dangerous gang members at that, if my memory serves me correctly. I know at least two of them are in my grade. The others may be... but I don't recognize them. Then again, I don't pay much attention to the people stuff, unless they give me good pictures.

"Miss?" one of the arresting officers asks, obviously confused.

I let my camera hang from my neck, choosing to use this situation to my advantage: "Yes?" I scan the officers making sure that none of them is the brother of my stepfather. Nope. All clear. I smile at the officers, happy.