Running Away

Chapter 1- It's Been Three Years

Elli was humming the tune to Blessed Union of Soul's, Love Will Find A Way. It had just been playing on the house radio Jay had gotten her for their first Christmas, also the same one where she had seen Stu on the beach. Every Christmas since then, they had seen each other, though now they were actually trying to.

Elli had no idea how Stu and Grandma kept her address a secret, even though Elli only sent packages and short notes that meant nothing to outsiders on Christmas and on Grandma and Stu's birthdays.

Elli often wondered how Mineral Town was faring. Even though Doctor Tom and Elli had their differences, Elli still wanted the Clinic to be successful.

"Elli, have you gotten the mail?" Jay asked, coming in for a quick glass of water and relief from the summer sun.

"Nope, but I'll go get it now." Elli scurried outside. It's today. Elli thought, astounded. Today makes three years since I fled Mineral Town accompanied by Jay.

It made Elli feel both homesick and nervous.

Nothing from Doctor had come, no letters, death threats, nothing more since the day on the ferry, which was still livid in Elli's mind as she imagined what might happen.

Elli took the mail from the red mailbox and set it down on the table. Jay flipped through it as Elli prepared them salad.

There was the sound of shattering glass and Elli turned around to see Jay's glass' remains sprayed across the table, miraculously missing the mail.

Elli came over and looked over Jay's shoulder.

The letter was addressed from Doctor Tom of the Mineral Town Clinic.

"He found us. Oh my goddess!" Elli shrieked.

"Calm down." Jay ordered, grasping Elli's shoulders. "Pack your stuff. We're leaving for a while."

"But what about Aura! She's coming today." Elli added as Jay opened the letter.

The doorbell rang. "That friend of yours comes at the worst times!" Jay exclaimed, hiding the letter.

"Hello Jay, Elli." Aura said politely. She had short brown hair similar to Elli's, except a shade blonder. She had huge brown green eyes. She beamed.

"Please, come in." Jay invited the girl to sit down. "Can I get you anything to drink?" Jay asked.

"No." Aura responded, shaking her head. "What's with the suitcase? You're not leaving, are you?" She asked, pointing to the suitcase in Elli's hand.

"Oh. D-don't worry." Elli stammered, shoving it onto the table, knocking the mail over.

By chance, the threat letter landed at Aura's feet.

"Don't worry, I already know what it says." Aura admitted. Jay and Elli were shocked. "Don't look at me like that. I'm a psychic."

"We have to run away. My rival for Elli-" Jay began hastily, but Aura cut him off.

"That's exactly what he wants you to do. I know what Doc can be like, and although I don't like how he treats you, he sounds cute." Aura added brightly. "You have to hide in the one place he'd never look for you." Aura suggested after seeing the horrified look on Elli's face.

"Mineral Town…" Elli breathed.

"Yuppies." Aura said.

"Mineral Town…" Elli repeated, memories rushing back.

"Stop that Elli! Doc's on the ferry coming now. The one for Mineral Town leaves in ten minutes." Aura said, poking Elli's shoulder.

The task of packing took three minutes with the threat of Doc hanging over their heads.

All three of them stood on the pier. "Are you coming, Aura?"

"No." Aura said sadly. "I'll stay here and flir- I mean I'll be here to distract him from you and keep him away."

"Thank you Aura. We're really indebted." Jay thanked her.

"All aboard for Mineral Town!" Yelled the captain's assistant. Elli and Jay boarded and set immediately for the lower deck.

Elli saw Doc on the other ship from the ferry's lower windows. He had his knife in his hand.

"Crazy as always." Jay muttered, and Elli laughed.

"He's beyond crazy."

"In ten minutes' time, we will be stopping at Mineral Town and then proceeding to Forget-Me-Not Valley." Drawled the voice of the ship attendant.

"I'm so excited to see my family again." Elli gushed. "But so much has probably changed."

Mineral Town

Stu was busy writing his sister a letter. She never responded, just in case the doctor found the address.

But Stu was scared today. The doctor had gone, and left his brother, renowned Doctor John Sprig.

Dear Elli-

Bad news. Grandma's had a heart attack. Stu

Stu looked down at the scrawl handwriting on the sheet. He was scared. Doctor Sprig said Grandma probably wouldn't make it.

"Hurry Elli, hurry." Stu whined. "You need to come back. I think the doctor's found you. Come home."

At that moment, the phone rang. "Stu?"

"Yes?" He asked.

"This is Elli."

"ELLI! I think the doctor's found you and Grandma had a heart attack." Stu filled her in quickly.

"I'm on a ferry." The connection crackled. "I'll be there soon."

Stu sprinted to the beach and waited impatiently for the ferry to dock. When it did, Elli and Jay were the first off.

"Stu!"

"Elli!" The siblings embraced.

Meanwhile, at Elli's old house, the phone was ringing.

"Hi. You've reached Stu and Grandma Ellen. Please leave a message after the beep. Beep." Stu's recorded voice said brightly.

"Stu! This is Doctor Sprig. Come quickly!" Doctor Sprig hung up.

"Stu! You'd better hurry!" He cried from in his office.

A/N: Hello everyone! This is the sequel to My Little Angel. I hope you like it. Please R&R. KLS