I own the Jonas brothers muahahaha. jk. i wish So tell me what you think.

A year goes by...

" Its my life let me live it the way I want to live it, because when it's my time I'm the one who has to die.."

One of my favorite quotes, the very quote that inspired this.

My feet hit the ground hard as I dashed down the dark street. The occasional streetlight guiding me.

I slowed down when I realized there were no cars in sight anymore.

The cold air was stinging my throat causing me to strain harder to breath since I was out of breath.

I glanced behind my shoulder, no one coming.

I was free... for now.

Well I guess I should explain, I'm Elliot Barone, obviously I'm on my own. Hey would you look at that im a poet and didn't even know it. Haha, anyway if you couldn't tell I'm running away.

My life back at home wasn't the greatest I guess. It was just me and my mom. That's how its always been, me and her. Till her decided to leave. So then I was fifteen and alone, I still had the little two bedroom house we lived at and I still went to school and then to a job after. Everything was running smoothly for about year.

Then last week, social workers came. I had.. .. forgotten about some bills, I mean it was only the electricity and the phone, and the heater, but hey! I still had running water. Its not that easy paying bills when you work at a movie theater.

I gave them the same excuse I give all people when they come to the door, " Oh yeah sorry my moms out shopping right now you can stop by later if you want." Or " My mother's at work." But that excuse didn't work when it was her boss at the door looking for her.

After about a month he got suspicious, well considering she never came, yet I was always home. He called a few people to check it out.

I mean for being sixteen on your own trying to make a living I kept the place in pretty good shape, sure it was bit cold, and if anyone wanted to contact me they'd have to send a letter, but I didn't need those things. I obviously can live without them.

Then I got a knock at the door, it was Suzy Sunshine in a pencil skirt and Harry Hardface in a suit. They asked me where my mother was, and I trailed off with the same excuse.

"Well then can we come in?" the man asked placing his foot between the door and the threshold right before I closed it.

I hesitated, do I say yes and possibly blow my life up? Or do I say no and they shove themselves in anyway, or spy on me or something.

"Uuhh, sure." I finally spat out nervously.

They entered the house looking around while the woman smiled at me with her blond curls getting shoved behind her shoulder.

"Hi, I'm Tracy Waydell, you must be Elliot! Susan's daughter right?" she questioned.

I wondered for a moment what they would do if I just said, 'nah, im Brittany from down the street I just like to call susan my mom..'

I nodded my head, "Yeah that's me."

"I'm Michael Harris, can we ask you a few questions?"

Way to not waste time Michael.

My jaw clenched once again hesitant about my answer. "Yeah, totally." I said trying to play it off cool.

I took them into the living room and we sat on the couches.

I glanced at Mr. Harris, this hard up old man with thinning hair and a permanent scowl on his leathery face. He leaned over so placing his elbows on his knees drawing closer in my direction.

" How often is your mother home?" he asked.

"Well, she's usually always here except from 3 to about 9:30 ish." I answered giving my own schedule.

" Where is she at during that time?"

"Work."

"Really?" He exasperated.

My eyes shifted to the side looking over at the woman sitting down next to me.

I swallowed a lump in my throat.

"Yeah.." I breathed out.

"Well it seems your mother has been lying to you then considering her boss, Thomas Livingston, is the one who called us concerned."

He shot back at my calmly.

"Really?" I acted surprised and confused, pulling my eyebrows together.

"I'm afraid so. How often do you go to school?"

"Almost everyday sir." "I answered honestly.

"Do you know if your mother has a cell phone that we can get ahold of?" this time Miss. Waydell asked.

"Uh, no sorry." I answered impaitiently shaking my head.

"Also you guys seem to be falling back on paying your bills, its getting pretty overwhelming." Mr. Harris commented looking at a piece of paper he held in his hands.

"Your telling me.." I said dryly with a different meaning.

Then I stood up, I was getting restess I didn't want to answer anymore of their questions.

"Hey guys, um.. maybe you could come back some other time. Cause I mean I have to go to work and my mom wont be home for a while so.. yeah." I said not knowing what else to say.

I saw them steal a glance at each other.

"Sure, we'll probably stop back in a week, what's the best time?" Miss. Waydell asked.

Half past step off!

"Probably during school or something, while she's here instead of doing her.. job... or whatever shes doing." I answered.

"Well it was nice meeting you Elliot."

I nodded my head as they walked to the door me following behind them.

"Goodbye..." I said shutting the door with a smile on my face.

I flopped down on the couch and through my head back, I was going to have to get them off my back. I know they would persist and never leave me alone till they talked to my 'mother' wherever the hell she was.

But I didn't have time to rest, I had to go to work. So I went into my cramped room and put on the only other pair of pants I had, my black slacks and a simple white t-shirt. I didn't have many clothes, they were probably the last thing on my priority list.

I grabbed my maroon vest that had pins from movies and my name tag pinned onto it, then slipped my converse on and headed out the door making sure I locked it on the way out.

From there I took the city bus that came to a stop right outside the theater, Flashfilm 21, about 15 minutes later.

I hurried inside, because the men/women in black made me late questioning me.

"Hey, sorry..." I said slightly out of breath when I reached the lounge, to the manager Darren Welkis.

"Hey El, ah its no problem. Just see me after your shift ok?" He told me.

I looked down and sighed in defeat.

One thing you should know about Darren. He's a creep. I used to think he was this cute older guy that I worked with and I went on a date with him once. Turns out he's one of those..."no means yes..." type of guys.

I walked over to the concession stand and went behind the counter quickly punching my employee numbers into the register.

It was a Wednesday night and so there were maybe one or two sets of kids, and a couple of adults who came. Really slow day. Finally 9:30 rolled around.

I logged out and locked up the register after taking the whole bottom part out that holds the cash and putting it the safe room next to Darren's office.

As I was bent over locking the safe with the keys I heard someone behind me.

"Nice view.." he said smugly.

I stood up, "Take a picture, it lasts longer." I replied sarcastically.

"Aww come on baby." He said grabbing my wrists.

I stopped and turned my head shamefully knowing what was going to happen next, the same damn thing that's been happening for about nine months. He threatened me that if I did anything or told anyone, I would lose my job, and he would tell that my mom was gone.

See Darren was the only person who knew that, because one night we got a little drunk together, that's when this whole fiasco started. I spilled my guts out to him.

"Have a good day?" He mumbled against my neck as he snaked his arms around my waist.

My eyes filled with tears.

"No Darren please." I pleaded. "Not this time."

"But I've had a hard day at work today, and you owe me coming in an hour late. Tell me why were you late?" he said slyly.

I just closed my eyes as he roughly pushed his lips to mine. He gripped my hips harder pushing me against him, while his mouth forced my opened and he pushed his tongue in.

He started to slip my vest off then my shirt kissing me roughly.

I just stood there limp, his little play thing.

He ran his hands all over my body making me feel claustrophobic.

I took a deep breath as he slid the rest of our clothing off then he shut his office door.

About an hour later I sheepishly walked out of his office. I felt dirty, used, worthless, I always did after.

I hurried out the theater disheveled and started to walk the three miles back to my house at ten forty-five p.m.

I breathed in the scent of fresh cool air.

Strangley this was the best part of my day, walking home in the peaceful night, just a warm breeze and my thoughts, not memories, no the memories I ignored. More like I day dreamed of things I wish could happen.

Like my mom coming back with open arms and tell me she couldn't live without me, but the thing is she could. And I could live without her even if I missed her.

I dragged myself lazily along the sidewalk gazing up at the cloudless sky every individual step taking me one step back to reality.

About and hour and a half later I reached my doorstep, the house haunting my dreams.

--33

The next day I woke up unwillingly to my radio blaring a song I've never heard.

"I'm am not afraid to keep on livin.

I am not afraid to walk this world alone.

Honey if you stay you'll be forgiven,

Nothin you can you say can stop me goin home..."

I smirked at the lyrics, then shook my head. "Whatever." I mumbled to myself.

I dragged myself to the shower, then got dressed in my only pair of jeans and just wore my white work t-shirt.

I went to school just like everyday, then I got home and grabbed my vest, my usual routine.

Stepping out of the house and locking the door behind me I turned around and noticed a black car across the street with extremely dark tinted windows.

I shrugged it off before my imagination got the best of me.

Hurrying I jogged to the bus stop then caught the same damn bus I always do to Flashfilms.

I walked into the theater on time.

"Hey where'd you leave in a hurry to last night?" Darren questioned smirking.

"Home." I answered blankly turning away from him to go to my register.

"Hey El." Rachel my coworker who worked behind the same concession stand with me.

I looked over at her, she had shoulder length brown hair and was about my height, she was the sweetest girl I have ever met. She is about two years older than me.

"Hey Rach." I said glancing her way as I punched in my employee code.

We worked in silence with the occasional small talk until she blurted out a question that I could tell had been bugging her.

"Are you and Darren dating?" I was taken back.

"What?! No! He's like four years older than me, why?" I suddenly became concerned that she had seen me leaving or Darren had told her something.

"Well I know you guys hang out after work a lot, and well... he's really cute. I was thinking of asking him to like hang.."

I stopped her short.

"No! I-i-I mean he, he has a girlfriend.. im sorry Rachel."

Close call, I couldn't let the sweet Rachel get involved with the heartless cockroach Darren Welkis. I didn't want him to do what he does to me to any other girl out there, I wouldn't wish it upon anyone. Except maybe him...to get a taste of his own medicine. Yeah know find a really big guy named Poncho or something...

I laughed to myself as a pair of teenage girls ordered candy.

The hours passed then it was once again check out time.

I locked my register away skittishly glancing around the lounge and Darren's office. No one. He wasn't there.

I sighed a breath of relief. Then half smiled to myself as I headed out.

I walked home with a little more self worth than I did the night before. My mind wandered as I followed a direct path the three miles to my house.

I noticed the same black BMW parked outside the house, maybe it's the neighbors. I shrugged, then as I walked closer I noticed a black figure on my porch.

I looked down and try to ignore whoever it was as I fumbled for the key in my pocket.

"I had to see you tonight.."

I shut my eyes tightly wishing it away.

"Go home Darren." I retorted walking up to the door.

"No, I want you." He said forcefully turning me around causing me to drop the key.

"Stop!" I shouted shoving him backwards.

He pushed me up against the door roughly smashing his lips to mine.

"How about I don't."

Someone stepped out of the black car across the street.

"How about you let me inside... of your house and other things, and I wont tell anyone that your precious little mommy has been gone for a year. Ok babe."

My eyes shifted as I saw the figure over Darren's shoulder walking closer.

"Let go of her." The old voice boomed.

Darren shot around as the man came closer to us.

That's when I noticed it was Mr. Harris, the social worker, he was spying on me. He probably heard everything Darren said.

I was frozen.

"Elliot come with me." He said reaching out his hand.

Everything seemed to be crashing at me. I stared straight ahead as Darren scowled at the man. Mr. Harris shook his hand urging me to take it and go with him.

He was going to take me away, I would be put in some kids home till I was eighteen, pulled out of school, then if my mom ever came back she would come back to an empty house. There was probably no chance of that, but there's still a little hope I had.

Then in an instant I didn't care about anything, I just wanted out. Out of the eyes of the social workers, out of Darren's rapes, out of the school, out of work, away from the house, just go and lay down and stare at the sky forever, here's my chance.

I shook my head slowly.

"Hell no." I stated venom dropping from my very words.

I shoved passed Darren and jumped of the porch running clear passed Michael Harris who had jumped and tried to grab my arm, missing falling to the grass.

I ran, my old converse slapping the pavement beneath my feet.

I ran in a new direction, swerving through and crossing streets that I've never been on.

Attempting to dodge every car that drove by incase it happened to be Mr. Harris and Miss. Waydell.

I ran through a park I vaguely remember playing in when I was a little kid, the smell from the lake hit me like rotten eggs while I ran over a short wooden bridge and through the playground.

I ran to a connecting road leading to my old jr. high.

I couldn't stop, I didn't want to stop.

Finally breaking free leaving all of it behind me, least for now.

I ran for a good fifteen minutes before slowing down. I sat down on the side of a Kum N Go, catching my breath.

I smiled, then I started to laugh. This is all I had to do all along, I laughed with relief closing my eyes.

Then I stood up and started walking. I wanted to walk anywhere but then I thought about it, anywhere could be my house or the theater, so I decided that I wanted to go nowhere, but nowhere has to be anywhere and anywhere...holy crap that's a never ending cycle.

I laughed out loud to myself, not caring if I sounded a bit coo coo bananas.

I walked till I reached the city limits at about 4 o'clock a.m. I stopped and took one look back at the town.

I realized I was still wearing my work vest, so I took off my vest and dropped it on the ground.

"C'ya." I said plainly.

Turning around I slipped my hands in my pockets and began walking again with a whole new dream ahead of me, not sure of what that new dream was but I knew it had to better then that.

Finally I was leaving behind everything, and for once the change didn't bug me. The next day I slumped down onto a bench that in the middle of an unfamiliar park, that didn't smell like rotten eggs. It had a pool with two giant slides across the street from a giant playground and next to a big lake.

It was too early for people to be swimming or playing, the sun just came up about an hour ago, any normal kid would be in school or asleep.

My eye lids grew heavier while the vision of the park blurred.

Soon I fell asleep hoping for just a few minutes of rest before I started to walk again.

Jo Bros in next one i swears.