Run

<4>

Janice was ecstatic when I told her I wanted to stay and complete my senior year here, she immediately called the principal and made an appointment for the next day to get me registered. It's been awhile since I've been to a public school, I took 10th and 11th grade online. But change can be good, and boy was Dawson a change from what I'm used to.

So that brings me to where I am now, sitting in a small office waiting for the principal to finish finalizing my sentence to 1 year in public school.

"Isn't this so exciting, a new school, a new town, I'm so glad your sticking around Brantley; I've started taking a liking to you" Janice smiles at me and I give a slight nod.

"Ok, Ms. Simmons looks like we have everything set up and you will receive your schedule tomorrow morning from the front desk" the scruffy principle walks back in with my file in hand. "I've made copies of all your legal paper work for records, so you can have these back"

He slides over all my fake papers that make me seem like a real human being, birth certificate, license, social security card, all that kind off stuff.

"If you will give me a minute id like to speak to Janice alone?" He says more questioning then demanding. Janice gives me the keys to the car and tells me she will meet me there.

I step out of the office into a crowded hallway, must be class changes, great. I was hoping to avoid all forms of socializing till tomorrow. I put my head down and make way to the car, I don't get far before a deep voice calls my name. Confused, I turn around and am greeted by Levi jogging towards me.

"Hey there, hitch hiker" he smiles at me

"Woah there, you were the one who bribed me with cereal to get into your car" I scoff sarcastically

"Touché" he laughs "So I see you decided to give Creekwood a chance"

"Yea, I start tomorrow" I tell him

"Yo Levi come on bro! practice starts in 10, no time to flirt" I look over Levi's shoulder to see 3 big muscular guys in basketball jerseys.

"I think you have been summoned" I laugh

"Yea um I guess I have. How are you getting to school tomorrow?" He rubs the back of his neck nervously

"Not sure honestly I'll probably walk" I honestly hadn't even thought of that till now.

"It's like 30 degrees out, not going to happen Simmons" I am slightly shocked that he uses my 'last name' but then I remember him talking about how everyone knows everything about everyone here.

"A little cold never hurt anyone" I half grin

"Said all the serial killers with frostbite, I'll pick you up tomorrow at Janice's; 7am sharp" he says slowly starting to back away from me towards his friends.

"Ill take you up on that offer, and I hope serial killers isn't becoming our thing" I smile at him

"Let's hope not, see you tomorrow Brantley" He says. I love how he always uses my name when he's talking, makes me feel like I actually do exist.

I shake my head while chuckling and start my way to the car. I sat in the car for 17 minutes and 45 seconds while Janice did god knows what with the principal. I've quickly learned that time to Janice isn't that important, her version of on time is 10 minutes late. Waiting like this makes me miss my car, If Stacey isn't done soon I might go a little nuts waiting for Janice all the time. I finally see Janice's small figure speed walking towards the car.

"Sorry hon, got carried away talking about the schools bake sale" She slides in and throws her purse in the back.

The rest of the car ride was silent as well as dinner Janice made when we got home. Afterword's I mumbled a quick thank you and rushed upstairs to take a shower. While scrubbing all of todays dirt off I wondered what going to Creekwood was going to be like. I wasn't sure how I felt about going back to a public school; going to a public school means they have my records and since I'm captain stupid and used my real name it will be easier for him to find me.

I step out of my thinking box and dry off. I quickly throw on some underwear and a big t-shirt and crawl into the bed that was beckoning me.

|~|

Fire. Screaming. Blood. Broken glass. Crying.

I jolt awake with heavy breathing and thick layer of sweat covering my body. I haven't had a nightmare since I'd been in Dawson and I wasn't looking forward to having more. They have been happening for years, sometimes they are about the accident and sometimes about the aftermath of the accident. I don't know how to make them stop, I've tried dozens of techniques that WebMD has suggested but nothing works.

I look at the clock beside my bed, 4:30 AM, I know there is no way I'll be able to fall back asleep now so I decide to go exploring the rest of the motel. If I had Stacey I wouldn't have even gone to sleep, I would've just driven around the town, so I could avoid the visions of the night. But the motel will have to do. I was on the second floor and there was only 3 so I still had one more to go.

I find a staircase at the end of my hallway and scramble my way to the upper floor. The 3rd floor didn't have as many rooms it was more like ice machines and game rooms kind of thing. I walk into the main game room which had a pool table and a foosball table as well as a ping pong table. There was a small table TV in the corner that had a dusty coffee table in front of it. It was obvious that no one had been in this room in a while. I walk over to the ping pong table and pick up the paddle and the ball, I bounce the ball back and forth from the paddle and the table a couple times before it rolls off and go under the table. I sigh and get on my hands and knees to pick it up. I crawl under the table and notice something off about the wall under here. It had one of those doors that usually are under big stair cases for storage. I find it odd that there is just one sitting in the middle of the wall so I do the only logical thing and open it.