*Old Version* Running From Them, Running To You

Chapter 11-Running From Them, Running To You

We stepped onto the sidewalk, the remnants of summer's heat hitting our faces. Downtown Kenzington was old and beautiful. Brightly colored shops and cobblestone paths flanked Main Street, leading to a wide bridge above the tumbling river that marked the town's border.

Breakfast had weakened my headache until it was merely a dull ache at the back of my skull. Afterward, Stephanie had offered us a ride into town, her obligations to her florist shop. When we arrived, it had shown to be every bit as incredible as her garden outside the house- save the flowers were now tamed into beautifully arranged bouquets. Colors of every variety had lit up the little store, bringing a sense of happiness to everyone who ventured inside.

After I was given an adequate time to tour the store, I had been towed outside by the other four girls, where I now found myself.

"Come on guys," Courtney called. "I want to show Auden the fountain!"

We hurried to catch up with her, and I followed my guides up the street, away from the bridge, until we found ourselves at a large rotary, allowing access to another street perpendicular to the one we were on. In the center of the circle, a large wishing fountain stood, water pouring from the old man's hands; the focus of the structure. Still water filled the rock pool at the base of the edifice, glittering coins visible beneath the surface of the water.

The five of us crossed through the street to the display, standing on the strip of grass circumnavigating it. A bronze plaque was attached to the gray rock, engraved with neat cursive.

Johnathon Dale Morris

Friend, Father, Teacher

1912-1993

"Read a book to learn. Write a book to understand."

"That's the guy our school's named after," I exclaimed, the connection bringing more interest to the statue. The man standing above me appeared to be in his sixties, his cheeks puffed out from the everlasting smile chiseled on his face. Two thick books were stacked beneath his feet, pushing him into the sky with the extra height.

"Yup," Morgan yawned. "Just a boring old guy who did a lot of boring stuff."

Courtney hit her playfully. "Whatever. I like the statue," she said, digging through her purse. She emerged with five pennies in her hand. "Make a wish."

I plucked a penny up and studied it quickly. 1993, I noticed, and a smile tugged at my lips. My birth year. It was a grimy excuse for a penny, but as I rubbed it on the inside of my shirt, it cleared up considerably, giving it an orange luster. There you go, I thought. All you needed was a little cleaning up.

The others had already tossed theirs in, so I quickly turned around and shut my eyes. Happiness suddenly came to mind, and I kept the picture in my head as I tossed the penny over my shoulder, hearing a slight plop as it hit the surface of the water. I turned to see if I could find it, but it had already sunk to the bottom, surrounded by hundreds of others, nearly identical. Lost in the crowd, just like me.

"Hey, no stealing money from the fountain! Don't you know it brings bad luck?" Someone shouted jovially. My hair *stood* on end. Wade.

I heard a laugh. Courtney, I thought. How could she laugh in his presence, laugh because of his presence? He was evil, monstrous. I glared into the rippling water, not daring to look at his face.

"Little lady, I thought you were better than that," he continued. I didn't respond. A hand waved in my line of sight.

"What's up with you?" Wade asked, his voice innocent. But he could never be innocent. Not after what he'd done. My mouth stayed welded shut.