“And I don’t need you to be by my side,
To tell me that everything is alright.
I just wanted you to tell me the truth,
You know I’d do that for you.”
                     -Hoobastank ‘Running Away’


“Sweetie? Sweetie, are you alright? Can you hear me?” Mom? I groaned in pain as I came to. It was bright, very bright, and I clamped my eyes shut not much time after I opened them. It was morning already, the sun only came through the window in the morning. Had I been out all night? When Dad came home it was only nine pm.

“Akemi, sweetie, are you alright?” Mom’s voice was filled with concern and worry for my well being. With great effort I managed to nod through the pain. I was fine. My entire body ached, my mouth tasted like steel, but my spine didn’t hurt! It was just in unbearable pain, nothing serious, really! I feel like I’m at the top of my game!

“Honey, can you sit up? Can you move?” She asked frantically, as if I was about to die where I lay. Ha! As if I would die from these minor injuries, I’ve been through much worse.

“Yes,” I said as I slowly lifted my aching body. I made sure to keep my eyes shut. There was no need in giving myself a migraine. “I can move.” I felt my mother snake her arms around my small frame and I opened my eyes. It wasn’t until know that I noticed I was in my room. She must have carried me up here. Gently I hugged my weeping mother and rubbed circles on her back.

Not too long after she finished crying I untangled myself from her and stood up straight. I was a quick healer so I felt fine. Surely Mom was injured so I examined her carefully. Twisted left ankle, from running, several cuts and bruises on her upper and lower body, and a blackish purple bruise on her left cheek, so I hadn’t stopped his arm. A few scrapes and bumps were also all over her body.

“I’m fine. There is no need to get worked up over me.” I snorted in response. As if I would buy that.

“Where’s the first aid kit?” She sighed in defeat and pointed a small, pale finger toward the staircase.

“It’s in the third cabinet in the kitchen. He left this morning, before you awoke, so its safe to go downstairs.” She looked so different from I was younger. Broken and bruised. Surely this has happened too many times. I wondered how much more abuse she could take.

My feet moved quickly and soundlessly to the kitchen. After years of sneaking around I became quick and well balanced. I grabbed the little red box from where Mom said it would be, and just as quickly as I came down I returned to my room. When I returned Mom had moved herself onto my bed and was staring out of my window. There was nothing interesting out there. Only hobo infested streets made of that ugly color, grey.

Without a word from either of us, I bandaged her and applied cream to the cuts and her swollen ankle. She didn’t even turn around, just continue looking at whatever she found so intriguing. Worry settled itself into my stomach. She was never this quiet after Dad visited. She usually says anything that comes to mind as to distract us from our sad lives.

“Are you feeling unwell?” Even I could hear the worry in my voice and my brows furrowed with worry as well. After what seemed like an eternity she spoke.

“I…I’m sorry. I couldn’t help you.” My eyes had widened in shock as the words seemed to slap me in the face. She didn’t need to protect me.

“There is no need to protect me. I’m stronger than I seem. I’m the one who failed. I’m the one who should be apologizing.” She turned to look at me and I quickly bowed my head in shame.

“Akemi please, don’t be so hard on yourself. You’re only twelve, now please listen carefully.” I lifted my head and waited for her to continue. I couldn’t help but notice the small gleam in her eyes along with self-pity, concern, and something I couldn’t identify.

“Your father is returning tonight. And he’s going to kill you.” My heart jumped up my throat and I suddenly couldn’t breath. Kill me? I knew my father was a poor excuse for a being, but a murderer? “Please Akemi,” My mother begged, and I had difficulties hearing. “You must do exactly as I say. Run away to your Aunt Rena. She’s your only living relative far enough to insure your safety. You must leave today-” I couldn’t listen to any more of what she was saying.

“Mom! What about you? I can’t just leave without you! Leave you with him!” Mom shushed me by lifting her hand.

“You know I can’t leave. My bond with your father will only get us killed. He’ll easily find us.” She left me to my thoughts for a while. A mating mark reveals everything to those bound by it. Their feelings, their health, and their location. If Mom came with me Dad would surely find us. Still he’ll kill her when he finds out.

“But…You’ll be killed. I can’t allow that!” She only shook her head and smiled sadly at me.

“I’ll find a way. He won’t kill me, so don’t worry about me. Now take this. I’ve saved up as much as I could.” She extended a hand full of money, and I hesitated to take it.

“This is Canadian money.” I stated and looked over the brown hundred dollar bills.

“Yes Rena moved to Canada. Its safe there, so please just go. There is enough Yen there to get you a plane to Halifax, Canada. All I really know about Rena is that she lives in Port Hawkesbury, which is somewhere in Nova Scotia. They don’t have an airport there so the closest you’ll get is Halifax. I can only hope you have enough for a taxi to get there. Now pack quickly.” My mother then looked away in shame. “Just promise me you’ll live.”

I just stared down at my pale, clawed hands. I barely ever went outside so it was no wonder I was pale. Run away to Canada, with Dad on my tail. Just don’t die. It seems simple enough. It hurt to say though, but I managed through the tears I hadn’t realized I was crying.

“I promise, I’ll go as soon as I’m finished packing.” Without warning I through my arms around my mom and cried into her should. This might be the last time I see her.

                                                  ~

I stared out the living room window and waited patiently for my mother to begin her goodbyes. No matter what she said it didn’t matter. Even if he didn’t kill her he would
still harm her and it would be my fault.

“Akemi, are you ready to leave?’ I didn’t have to turn around to know she was crying. Her voice, along with the strong smell of salt, gave it away. “You remember what to do right?”

“Of course.” I answered. The instructions were fairly simple. “Go to the elementary school and wait for Li. He has a black car and he’ll drive me to the airport and get me on the plane. When it lands I’ll be in Halifax and I’ll get a taxi to Port Hawkesbury. Once there I’ll get a phone book and find Aunt Rena.” By now Mom had moved to stand behind me and tried to find something in the sea of grey that I found so interesting. “It’s raining. Would you like to take the umbrella?” I shook my head and mom seemed to have dropped the subject. Instead we both watched as the cars zoomed by one of the poorest streets on Japan.

“Alright, its time that you should be going.” Mom stated sadly. “Please, be careful.” Without a second thought she turned me around and hugged me for what would be the last time. Greedily I squeezed back.

“I love you.” Mom muttered between sobs.

“I love you too.”

“Goodbye.” I paused as the weight of the word sunk in and clung to my heart. I knew I would carry this weight for the rest of my life.
“…Goodbye.”

                                                     ~


Stupid summer, and its stupid, stupid breaks. How was I supposed to know they lock the doors of the school during summer? Public building, yeah right! Now I’m standing in the rain, soaked to the bone, emotional, and impatient. Where was Li and his stupid black car? I’ve been waiting for over an hour an a half, and my arms were getting tired from holding my suitcase over my head like the umbrella I wished I had taken. In the distance a faint rumbling could be heard. It was a perfect day to run away.

So, Akemi, What now? I stared at my black school shoes, that I wouldn’t need anymore, as I thought of ways to distract myself from the growing pains in my arms and legs.

In a second, just a mere second, I went from frustrated, to shocked, back to frustrated, then finally to furious. Li seriously could have pulled up to the school a little…No a lot slower. Now I’m covered in mud from a nearby puddle, and in the back of my head I could hear Li apologizing.

“Oh, I’m so, so sorry! I didn’t realize I was going so fast!” I lifted my head just in time to catch Li attempting to bow while sitting, but only succeeded in smacking his forehead against the steering wheel.