Author's Note: I know this type of story has been done before but I wanted to take a spin at it and see what ya'll thought. I don't own any of the law and order:SVU characters. I only own Garrett and a few others. Thanks LilBenson2004

My Way

Garrett's POV

The school bell rang and everyone in the room left. I loaded my things into my bag and walked out of the room. I headed out of the school and walked through the row of buses. I stepped onto the sidewalk and took a deep breath. The smell of hot pavement and trash filled my nose. I stuck my earphones in my ears and hit play on my IPod. I began winding my way through the streets of Los Angeles until I reached the apartment complex my mom and I lived in. I stood outside the front door and took another deep breath. I had an uneasy feeling in my stomach. There was a knot, it had been there since around lunch time and at first I thought it was because of my science test but that seemed to have gone well.

I went inside the building. The smell of mildew filled my nose. I was hit with a heat wave. I went over to the elevator and hit the up button. When the doors opened I stepped inside and hit 13. My mom, Miranda and I lived on 16 but the elevator only went to 13 and then I had to climb the three flights of stairs to 16. I got to the top step and pushed open the door. I pulled my key out of my pocket as I walked down the hall towards the apartment. As I neared the door I noticed it was partially open. I pulled my headphones out and set my book bag down by the door. I pushed the door open the rest of the way but didn't go inside. I looked around the room once before stepping inside. I slowly made my way around the room before pushing open all the doors. I checked in all the rooms and stopped when I came to my mom's room. The door was wide open. My mom was lying on her bed. I stood in the doorway. Blood was everywhere. I felt my stomach start to rise up into my throat. I took a deep breath and backed out of the doorway. I knew she was dead. There was too much blood around for her not to be dead.

I couldn't stay here. I had to get out, get away. I went into my room and pulled out the bottom drawer of my dresser. I grabbed my lock box and tossed it on my bed. I pulled the key off my necklace and opened it. I had exactly four hundred dollars in there. I stuck the money in my pocket and then put the lock box back. I grabbed a few essential clothing items. I went into my closet and grabbed my baby box and my keepsake box. I grabbed my blanky and my favorite stuffed animal and threw it all in my duffle bag. I went into the living room and grabbed a few photos that I'd want. I shoved everything into the bag and slung it over my shoulder. I pulled the books out of my book bag and went back to my room.

I grabbed some more pictures and my favorite books and CDs. I was about to stick the last picture in my bag but I held it in my hand. It was of my god mother, Olivia and me. I was 4; it was taken at my 4th birthday party. The week before we left to come to California. Now I had to get back to her. Back to where things were okay. Olivia was holding me in the picture and kissing my cheek. I was giggling because she was tickling me at the same time. I sighed and shoved the picture in my book bag.

I left the apartment and headed downstairs. I stopped on the 14th floor and knocked on one of the doors. Mrs. McGuire opened the door and smiled at me.

"Hey Garrett! To what do I owe this pleasure?" I looked down at my feet and took a deep breath. How was I supposed to tell the neighbor that my mom was dead upstairs and that I was running away to New York.

"Uhm, I need a favor… Before I tell you what I need, I need you to promise me that you won't freak out. Can you promise me that?" Mrs. McGuire nodded her head. I took another deep breath and ran my hand through my hair.

"What's wrong, Garrett?" Mrs. McGuire touched my shoulder and I stepped back.

"Someone shot and killed mom. She's upstairs in her room. I need you to call the police and report it. Tell them you found her. I didn't kill her, just so you know. I have to leave before they get here…" I turned to leave and Mrs. McGuire grabbed my shoulder.

"Wait! Where are you going? Who did this?" I looked back at her and swallowed.

"Home." I turned and left. I ran down the rest of the stairs and out the alley door. I knew the cops would arrive soon and wanted to be long gone before they even realized she had a daughter.

I walked the few blocks to the grey hound station. I knew flying would be quicker but I was terrified of the thought of flying and I wasn't sure I'd have enough money. I walked into the station and up to the window. I pulled my fake ID out of my wallet. It said I was 18.

"Can I help you?" A lady behind the counter asked.

"Yea, I, uh, need a ticket to New York. It doesn't matter how many stops but I need on the first one out." The lady typed the information in and then looked up at me.

"One leaves in 20 minutes. It's gonna be a four day trip. We have a shorter trip leaving in two hours." I shook my head. I had to get out of here sooner than that.

"I'll take it. How much does cost?" She looked at the computer screen again and then back at me.

"The ticket is $395." I handed her the money and stuck the change in my back pocket. I put my ID back and then put my bag on a scale. They had to weigh it to make sure it was less than 50 pounds. My bag was labeled and then set with a group of bags that I assumed were headed to the same place. I sat down in a chair and watched as busses pulled in and out.

I wondered if the cops had reached the apartment yet. I knew running made me look bad but if I stayed I didn't know what was lined up for me. At least in New York I hoped I'd be safe. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Everything was going to be okay I told myself. Everything had to be.

The bus arrived and I climbed on. I found a seat close to the front. I set my bag in front of me. The bus took off about 20 minutes after everyone had boarded. Once we pulled out of the station, I sighed. I was on my way.