What is... "Home?" (Hetalia Fanfic, W.A. '13 Finalist)

Chapter 1~!

So, this is attempt #3 I think of posting this story. Let's hope it works (before I take a sledgehammer to this computer screen!!!! GRRRRRR!!!)

Obviously, if you are reading this then it worked, so YAAAY~! Okay, on with the chapter now!! First fanfiction I've ever posted on this site, so please be kind to me! And if you have tips to helpme keep everyone in character, then PLEASE SHARE THEM! Okay, I'm done now. ;)

~Bookie

(I love these squiggly things~~~! XD)

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I sprinted through the forest, ignoring the low-hanging pine branches that whipped at my face and arms without mercy. A small bag with only a change of clothes, my iPod Touch, a Swiss army knife, and the $87 dollars I'd saved up I clutched desperately in one hand. I could hear Martin, my father, screaming at me from the house as I ran.

"I'll get you, Melina! You can't hide forever! I will find you!"

I ignored his threats and pumped my legs even faster. My cheek hurt from where he'd slapped me, as did my shoulder where he'd cut me with a kitchen knife. It only bled a little, but the stain on my shirt and hoodie would be irremovable, not to mention the rips in the fabric.

A short bark, more like a yip, made me pause and look behind me. Zip, my blond Pomeranian, came racing after me, unwilling to be left behind. I smiled and scooped him up in both arms, planting a quick kiss on the top of his head before continuing on with my mad dash to nowhere. Anywhere as better than where he was.

~~

I stopped after some time, setting Zip down and falling to my knees, panting hard. My legs slid out from under me and made an "M", my hands curled into fists on my thighs. Zip put his front paws on my hands and licked my arm comfortingly.

Grinning, I swept him up into a hug. "We did it, boy. We finally got away," I breathed into the back of his neck. Zip tried to lick my shoulder wound, but I set him down quickly. "No, boy. I'll take care of it."

After slipping my hoodie and shirt off (hey, no one was around to see me), I took a look at the gash. It was maybe two inches long, thin, and bleeding a bit more than I was comfortable with. Cursing Martin, I used my knife to cut a strip off the hem of my dark green T-shirt. Wrapping the makeshift bandage under my armpit and over the cut, as well as tying it off with my teeth and one hand, proved to not be too difficult.

When I was finished I put my clothing back on and stood, shaky from fatigue at first. Zip came back from relieving himself and nudged my pack with his nose.

"Right, let's not forget this," I said, picking it up by one strap and slinging it over my good shoulder. He followed me into town, where we got on a bus and rode to the next town over.

For the next three days that's what we did, going from town to city until I felt like I could breathe freely. I knew Martin would make good on his threat, by there was no way I'd make it easy for him. During those three days, I bought Ace bandages, cut my long gold/red/brown hair into a short boy's cut, and practiced imitating a teenage boy's voice to complete the disguise. I didn't want to be easily recognized if he came after me, right?

It was on day four of "My Great Adventure" (note the sarcasm) that I noticed the looks I was receiving from people, like they were about to call child services on me. Trying not to panic, I stopped a couple girls on a street corner who were wearing matching school uniforms and asked them what school they were from.

"Why, do you want to enroll?" the busty one with short gray-blond hair and a headband inquired.

"Yes," I answered. "That is, if they have a scholarship program, because I'm tight on funds. Well, my family is, I mean."