Part 1: The Flyer
Chapter 1:
"Janney. Where are ya goin'?" The man stood tall and proud with his long ginger hair tied back into a short ponytail. His sharp green eyes blazed down at a smaller version of him, except the smaller version was a girl and her bright blazing eyes were blue.
Her soft ginger hair was tied up into a higher ponytail and hung low just touching her butt. She was dressed in tight, to small for her, light purple tank top and long black skinny jeans. Her soft brown moccasins had a tiny ruffle to the top of the tough.
"Just down to the park. Why?"
"Well, you seem to really want to go there fast."
"Yeah well this band…"
"BAND? Rob didn't contact me on this!"
"Well, I asked him no to."
"WHY!" Yelling at the girl, the man gripped her shoulders.
"Ow? Cause I wanted you to relax for one day. Gesh." Letting go, the man slapped Jane clear across the face. Tears welling in her eyes, she ran for the old beaten down door. Slamming it shut, she flinched then turned and sprinted down the shitty dirty old apartment stairwell.
Dashing through the lobby, the sweet winter sun beat down on her. The weather was as weird as could be. In the winter it was hot, but in the summer it snowed. Yeah, it was like her brother had complete control over the whole city. Including the weather.
Turning down one of the dark alleyways, the winter sun seeped its way into even the darkest corners of the city. Turning out from the alleyway, Jane bolted down the busy sidewalk. Slowing down she grabbed and opened an old salon door.
"Al! Give me the usual!" A tall man came out from behind a small counter. His soft brown curls twisted around his head.
"Hey Janney! Thomas up to it again?"
"Yeah. He won't leave me alone." Sliding into an old beaten down barber chair, Al pulled out her ribbon from her hair and let the long hair ripple down into a small washbasin. "Al, I got to get away from all this. I can't take him anymore. Today was on slap to many."
"Me too sweet heart. Me too." Running his fingers through her hair, he took a glob of shampoo and began to scrub her hair. Jane sighed. "You know…"
"What?"
"Well, I saw an ad for a short four day vacation a boat."
"Really? Anything to get me away from this place even if it's fro only four days."
"Janney, there's a catch. It doesn't come back here. The boat ride ends in another town."
"That's cool. That means I'll never have to come back here again!"
"But…"
"Al, don't worry I'll write. To you that is."
"But Thomas reads through all suspicious mail."
"I'll change my name. Hair and everything."
"I can help with everything just leave it to me Janney. You pack." Brushing out her hair. Al stopped and walked over to the counter. Sitting up Jane followed.
Pulling a small wallet out of her pocket, the man lifted up his hand.
"No charge for the boss's little sister."
"Thanks Al. Hey do have a flyer for the trip?"
"Yeah here." Handing Jane the bright blue flyer, she smiled at him.
Stepping out of the salon, Jane began to walk down the busy street. Gripping the flyer Jane crossed the street into the park. Stepping over to a shady tree Jane sat down. Pulling her soft orange hair over her left shoulder she began to braid the long strands.
Tying it off with a small rubber band, she opened up the brochure. It read:
"Come stay on the luxurious newly built ferry boat. Only few rooms left. Stops at New York City and Forget-Me- Not Valley."
"More like 'forget me please valley'." Laughing to herself, the warm winter sun had begun to sink into the horizon. Standing up she folded the flyer and slipped in into her pocket. Stepping out of the park Jane began to walk towards her apartment.
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Quietly opening the door, praying this one time it would not squeak. It was not answered. Every inch she moved it the louder the squeak became. Sighing she gave in and opened the door wide to fine the huge man looming over her.
"Where were you? Rob said you went to the park at 3 o'clock instead of right after you left. Are you hanging out with that punk again?"
"No."
"Do I need to teach you both a lesson?"
Shuttering back, Jane closed the door and began to cross the room. Then Thomas caught her arm. His grip was beginning to cut off the blood circulation from her elbow down. Turning slowly towards him, he grabbed her shoulders. Looking up into his eyes they was almost a tiny glint of fire within them. He was made.
"Janney, listen to me if you ever hang out with that punk again there will be trouble. Are you listening?" He was yelling at her now and anyone could tell that their argument before was not a very bright idea. Taking his right hand off her shoulder he punched her hard across the face. Blood began to seep slowly out of her nose and mouth. Pressing her against the wall, Thomas began to beat her.
Jamming his fist into her stomach, she flinched. Slapping her across the face, he turned around and grabbed something. Lifting it up to her face, Jane caught sight of her reflection in the blade. 'Oh crap he was pulling out old Bessie!' Lifting it up against her cheek, he made a clean slice across her cheekbone. Spinning her around, he held her flat against the wall. Placing down the knife, something behind her made a cracking noise. Then a clear pain shot across her back, then another, then more. The whip went deep into her back as she tried to move away, but she was forcefully slammed back down into the wall. His other hand that was holding her down had begun to create bruises in her skin.
'Thomas always had a certain order to what his punishments went to. Next should be…" Suddenly a ripping sound came from her shirt. Then the tank top fell to the dirty floor. Then a clean slice was cutting open her pants. 'What was Thomas doing?' Turning her around, the huge angry man stared down at her almost naked body. Slamming her against the wall, Jane could feel blood trickling down the back of her neck. Looking up into the Thomas's eyes he grinned down at her.
"If you ever do anything with out talkin' to me first. Then there will be this and worse." Saying that he turned and let the apartment. The click of the lock sounded throughout the silent apartment as Jane slide down the wall. Rolling her head to the doorway next to her, she slowly began to stand. Rising she began to almost float into the bedroom. Shaking her head, she grabbed her rucksack and suitcase. Shoving what little clothes she had in there, she slipped on a tight blue sundress and zipped the suitcase close.
Crossing the room to the window she threw it open. Throwing out her rucksack and suitcase she jumped out too. Landing on the fire escape she began to slowly descend down the stairs in a daze. Leaping down the last landing she sprinted down the street to the salon.
