Run For Your Life Preview
~PROLOGUE~
Why does Lisa leave the confines of her safe home, to runaway with her older boyfriend, when she has everything money can buy? What more could she possibly want? Lisa doesn’t understand the emptiness she feels inside either, but she’s desperately searching for something to make the inner pain go away. This mixed up teen longs for hugs, kisses, and affection, but only the painful memories of rejection keep replaying in her mind.
At 7, Lisa runs into the house to give her mom a hug. Her mom pushes her away and says, “It’s too hot. Go play.” Again at 10, this girl, now a little older, starving for approval, hurries home from school to announce the A+ she got on an art project. But her mom’s eyes never leave the book she’s reading, and the girl walks away like she’s done so many times before.
Lisa doesn’t know it, but she’s starving for love and affection—something that money can’t buy. Could Bill be just what she’s been longing for? Is this really love? Will their life together on the road really be what her boyfriend promised her—love, life, and freedom?
How can Lisa, a spoiled child, survive the tough life on the streets… the below freezing temperatures, the scorching heat, not to mention one of the deadliest blizzards to hit Colorado? But even worse, hitchhiking all over the United States, and hopping into cars with lunatics, rapists, and even murderers. The final blow comes when her boyfriend turns on her.
Where can she run? Where can she hide? No one will know until the last page is turned… or will they?
A note to the reader: Although this story is based on actual events from the author’s life, all of the characters and some of the adventures are made up and fictionalized.
~Chapter One~
As soon as my mom left for work, at six o’clock every morning, I’d rush over to my boyfriend, Bill’s. But that two hours before school just wasn’t enough. We walked the mile to school cheek to cheek, with our hands clasped tightly, with not even a breeze between us.
When the final bell rang, I stopped and stared into the center of Bill’s blue eyes. “I don’t care what the judge says; I just want to be with you.”
Bill raised his eyebrows and took me by the hand. “All right! What are we waiting for?!” He led the way down the paved bike path by the river. I giggled as I ran to keep up. It was one of the first places we’d ever skipped school together. He called it “our place”. Occasionally joggers, walkers, and bikers passed by, but usually we watched the water swirl in a new direction as a Mallard Duck paddled toward shore.
No one will find us here.
After Bill brushed off a seat for us under the bridge, I plopped down between his legs, and faced the Blue Heron, busy fishing, across the stream. Bill wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed my neck. His warm breath tickled my ear as he whispered, “Lisa, I love you.” My whole body tingled. I hated the thought of going back home at the end of the day. But three o’clock came sooner than I hoped.
As Bill and I stood on the dirt road behind my house, my heart sank. Facing one another, we held hands loosely. “This is so stupid. We should be able to be together all the time.”
He pulled me close. “I know, Babe,” he said. “But maybe your parents will let me come over tonight.”
I shrugged. “Maybe. But there’s always rules.”
I hated their stupid rules. “You can’t do this. You can’t do that.” Geesh, why can’t they see I’m 13, not some dumb two-year-old baby! That’s why I liked it when Bill and I were alone; there weren’t any rules. We could do anything we wanted and say what we wanted, without my parents butting in.
Why were they suddenly butting into my life anyway? They never had a minute to spare before? Although I was the youngest of five children, and they bought me anything I wanted, they sort of pushed me aside, like a baby in a playpen. I knew they were busy and I guess they loved me, but I wanted hugs, kisses, and to be told I was important, loved and valued. And, for once I had found those things—in Bill.
So, what if he lives on the other side of the tracks; he loves me and that’s all that matters. Why can’t they see that and just leave us alone?
But my parents wouldn’t leave us alone. They became even more strict. “Your father and I have decided that you can only see Bill on the weekends,” my mom said, dropping the news like a bomb one night. “Then, when you bring your grades up, we’ll see about weekdays.”
“Bring my grades up?” I stammered. “That will take another whole marking period!”
Nothing I could say would change their mind. That’s okay! I huffed under my breath as I shot up the stairs to my room. And nothing you do will stop me from seeing Bill!
The next morning Bill and I met at the middle school. I told him everything. He held me in his strong arms. He wasn’t built like a body guard or anything, only about my height, 5’ 6”, but he was solid. And when he pulled me close, it almost put me in a different world, a world without problems.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ll think of something.”
“Going to different schools stinks.” That’s the only thing I hated about our four-year age difference. “I don’t care what they say,” I finally said. “If they won’t let me see you, then I’m not going to school.”
For the next week, Bill and I cut school and hung out together. The woods became one of our favorite hiding spots. Although it was early fall, and the leaves were turning yellow, red, and orange, the weather was more like summer. Surrounded by pine trees, birds, and little bunnies, we could talk, kiss, and make out, and no one suspected a thing. My parents didn’t even question me since I always got home before they did.
The next thing I knew my probation officer, Susie Stevens found out. I figured the school must have called her when I didn’t show up for class. And of course she made a huge deal about the whole thing, told my parents, and even blabbed to the court. They set a date for me to see Judge Peters. Not again! Seeing him was like seeing the devil. Underneath that long, black robe, I was sure he had a tail and pitchfork.
My stomach fluttered as I approached the bench.
“Miss Heart?” Judge Peters said as he flipped through some paperwork.
“Y-yes, s-sir,” I stammered, clearing the lump in my throat.
He stared down at me. “Raise your right hand please.” I swallowed hard, took a deep breath, and did as he said. “Do you swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you God?”
“Y-y-yes sir.”
“You may be seated,” he said pointing to the witness stand. Slowly, I took my seat. “This document indicates that you’ve violated your probation.” He raised his eyebrows and waited for an answer.
I nodded.
He peered over his glasses at me. “You are a very mature looking thirteen-year-old, Miss Heart. That in itself can cause a number of problems for a girl your age.” He glanced at my mom and dad. “Your parents can’t seem to control you or keep you in school. These papers state that they’ve tried everything and nothing seems to work.” Leaning forward, he tightened his jaw, and glared at me. “So, what’s it going to take to get you to obey your parents and stay in school?”
I shrugged my shoulders. “I-I-I d-dunno sir.”
“You don’t know?” His eyes flared with fire. “Well, Miss Heart… if this continues and I see you in this courtroom again, you will leave me no choice… I will have to take the necessary action and place you in a girls’ institution.” Glaring down at me, his voice thundered through the courtroom, “In the past you have been a ward of this court, but at this time I’m placing you on house arrest. You are now a ward of the State Of Michigan.”
I could feel his hot, fiery breath, melting me into the floor with every word. I sank low in my chair, barely able to look at him.
“Do I make myself clear?”
“Y-y-yes s-sir.”
My knees knocked together as I followed my parents to the car. When the cool air hit my face, I took in a huge breath and blew it out. Thank God that’s over!
Once we were home, I found out being on house arrest meant that my parents had to be with me 24-7. But, that wasn’t the worst part. My dad was like so mad. “It says right here, young lady.” He pointed to the judges orders. “You aren't to have any contact with Bill. And that’s how it’s gonna be!”
I could have handled anything, but that. Lock me up, throw away the key. Make me eat tofu for a year. But don’t take my love, my life, and the only one who cares for me.
With tears streaming down my cheeks, I stomped to my room, slammed my bedroom door and plopped on my bed. They might as well just shoot an arrow straight through my heart. So what if we’ve only been seeing each other a few months, we love each other and I need him. Why can't they understand? I’ll die without him!
I stayed in my room the whole day, trying to think of a plan. Like an empty turtle shell I lay on my bed, unable to move. Bill was the life inside me. He brought the smile to my face. He made me laugh when things seemed tough. He held my hand when I felt afraid. But mostly, he loved me like no one else did.
I squeezed my pillow to my chest. There has to be a way to get a hold of him. Crazy thoughts whirled through my head as I stared out my two-story bedroom window. I thought so hard my head hurt.
Bill lived six measly blocks away. But he might as well have lived on the other side of the ocean, because unless I wanted to jump out my window, and risk my life, there wasn’t a thing I could do. There were no more options. I was stuck here. My parents made that perfectly clear.
When Bill first moved in with his mother, four months ago, they said they loved him, now they’re acting like I’ll never see him again! So what if his parents are divorced, dirt poor, and they drink. Can’t they see that Bill isn’t like that?
Bill wasn’t anything like them. He was the exact opposite. He hated the way his dad drank and beat the crap out of his mom. “Don’t worry,” he’d always say. “I’ll never be like my dad.” And I believed him. There wasn’t a bad bone in Bill’s body, at least, none that I could see. When he touched me, his hands were soft, caring, and gentle. He was different from anyone I’d ever met.
And so what if he didn’t have a job, and he could never buy me flowers or stuff that other girls got. He spent time with me, walking, talking, and listening. I didn’t mind using my babysitting money to take him to the movies or buy cigarettes. “You got your whole life ahead of you,” my mom would always say. “You should find a guy that can take care of you.” Money—it was always about money with my parents. Like my mom was anyone to talk. She worked hard all week and gave all her money to my dad. So, what’s the diff?
And besides, Bill was cleaner than any other guy I’d ever met. I guess you could say a neat freak like me. He had to take a shower every morning. He smelled fresh, clean, and sexy every time I saw him. I loved to run my fingers through his soft, brown hair. When I messed it up, he’d always take the comb from his back pocket and smooth it out. He said he hated the way it curled up at the ends, but I loved everything about him, even his curls.
And now I can’t even see him! I wanted to just scream! How did everything get so messed up?
That night seemed to drag on forever. I kept wondering where Bill might be and what he was doing. I wrote a couple of letters, trying to explain what had happened in court, hoping somehow to get them to him. Maybe I’ll see him at school. Tears splattered my pillow, as I stared into the darkness wishing for morning.
“Lisa, time to get up,” my mom called. As usual, the“700 Club” blared through the house. I didn’t know what the deal was with all that religious stuff. I guess it’s okay for her, but I just hated it when she tried to push that stuff on me. I even said a prayer once to ask Jesus in my heart, but I never felt anything different. To me, that churchy garb was like Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and Snow White, just some fantasy someone made up. If there was a God, I never saw him.
With my mom’s eyes glued to the TV, I slipped past her and jumped in the shower. The running water and my plans for the day drowned out the preaching and everything else around.
For once I could hardly wait for school. That’s one place Mom and Dad couldn’t tag along, since they both worked. After I curled my hair, put on some make-up, and sprayed on some Jovan Musk, Mom drove me in silence to the bus stop.
I guess I was used to it, the silence, that is. We never talked. She always had her nose crammed in some romantic book. She’d let me do anything as long as I didn’t bother her. So many secrets I wanted to tell her. So much I wanted to share. But I knew, even if she did listen, she’d never believe me. She’d think I was some sort of tramp or that I caused them to hurt me. Sometimes I blamed myself too. Why didn’t I scream? Why didn’t I put up a fight? Why did I just lay there and take it? Growing up, I tried not to think about it. Since I had met Bill, it was almost like a bad dream, like none of it had ever happened.
The bus screeched to a stop, bringing me to my senses. I opened the car door.
“Remember, straight home after school,” my mom said. “And, no Bill.”
I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, Mom, I remember.”
I bit my nails all the way to school. When I stepped off the bus, I scanned the courtyard for Bill. Maybe he’s waiting for me out back. I ran to our favorite spot by the dumpster. He wasn’t there. I kicked at the stones as I walked back toward the school yard. After the bell rang, I even waited until the grounds emptied, but I was the only one left standing there. I hung my head and stumbled slowly into the building.
The hallway turned into one solid blur as I started down the hall toward my first class. I wiped my eyes, sniffing back the tears.
“Lisa!” a familiar voice shouted. I stopped and turned to see Bill’s younger brother, Taylor, running straight for me.
“Here.” He handed me an envelope that said, “Lisa, the love of my life!”
Yes! A love letter from Bill!
I wanted to tear it right open, but I knew I’d be late for class. So, I handed Taylor the notes I had written, and darted down the hall. I took my seat as the bell rang. Ms. Simons jotted some math problems on the board, but they just blurred together as I unfolded the letter.
I must have read Bill’s letter a hundred times that day. His words kept replaying in my mind, "I love you, Babe. And I don't care how long I have to wait. We'll be together again. I promise. No one will ever keep us apart."
Every night I rushed home, ran up to my room and locked my door. Taking my pen and pad from under my bed, I’d write Bill a letter and sometimes even a poem. And every day I’d meet Taylor in the hall to swap notes. My parents were shocked that I actually wanted to go to school.
“We’re really proud of you for turning yourself around,” my mom said one night at dinner.
“Yeah, maybe your grades will improve,” my dad added, passing the mashed potatoes. “They sure can’t get any worse.”
I just smiled. I can’t believe they’re actually buying this crap. Here we are passing letters back and forth and they don’t even have a clue.
Although Bill’s letters came daily, they couldn’t take the place of his baby blue eyes, his soft, gentle smile, or his tender, passionate hugs. It had been more than two weeks since I seen him, I longed to be back in his arms.
One day, in his letter, he said he had to see me. He told me to meet him in the park behind my house right after school. That’s all I dreamed about the entire day. When that last bell rang, I flew down the stairs, ran out of the building, and plopped down in the front seat on the bus. During the fifteen minute ride, my palms grew sweaty as I plotted every detail out in my mind.
I ran the three blocks home. Knowing Mom wouldn’t be home from work for a half hour; I hurried to the back road.
My pulse raced as I scanned the shaded, empty park, now in full fall colors. I glanced at my watch. It’s 3 o’clock, where is he? I looked down the road toward the creek. Nothing… just some squirrel chewing on a nut. He has to be here. Why would he tell me to meet him here and not even show up? I walked further into the park, looking in every direction. I entered the circle roadway that led around to the playground. Just a sparrow under the teeter-totter collecting twigs. As I started down the hill toward the pavilion, memories from a past murder scene flashed through my mind. A cool breeze hit my bare arms.
EWWWWWW! This is the spot where they found that woman’s body all mangled and ran over. Although it happened four years ago and they had supposedly caught the guy, it still gave me the creeps. C’mon Bill this isn’t funny. Where are you?
I turned away and picked up my pace. The bushes rustled behind me. What was that? My heart went crazy as I sped up.
Someone leaped out of the bushes, grabbed me from behind, and pinned my arms.
copyright© A Time To Heal Ministries Inc, 2006
This material is not to be copied, sold, or distributed without prior approval from author