1. Beginning

I hear a sharp tap at my window and groan. There is only one person that could be. Audrey. Rolling out of bed I open the window, shiver at the cold and close it again quickly, noiselessly as soon as Audrey is inside. While holding 2 large shoulder bags.

"What are you doing?" I gasped.

"What's it look like I'm doing?" She retorted in response.

"But where are you going?" I asked slowly, still trying to shake off my sleepiness as she strode across my room, filling my own bag full of my clothes and money.

"Away. Far away." Was Aud's curt answer. Whatever had happened, it wasn't good and she obviously didn't want to say anything. Audrey is of medium height, with warm, wavy chestnut brown hair and brown eyes so dark that sometimes they looked black and pale skin.

The complete opposite to me. My name is Jacob and I'm really tall-just under 2 metres, in fact. I have black hair and blue eyes.

Whatever sleep had that lingered after Audrey's short answer left as soon as I understood what she was doing.

"You're leaving?! For good? And you want me to come with you?" I asked, incredulous.

Audrey paused, surprised at the tone of my voice, and slowly turned from the dresser she had been sifting through to face me. I was shocked to see her eyes glittering in the moonlight-Audrey never cried. Ever. Suddenly, comprehension flowed over me like a club to the head. "Did something happen?"

Aud grimaced, but stayed silent.

It was at this point that I stroke over to her, but with two feet between us. She stayed silent, her body still. "Aud-" I began, but then both of our head swivelled to my desk, where my phone was playing-"Monsters" my Matchbook Romance- alerting me to a caller. I recognised the caller ID and frowned, looking up at Audrey, who suddenly went deathly pale and backed up against the wall. It was her home phone, which meant only one thing. Her parents.

Now is as good a time as any to describe Audrey's parents. Her mother Theresa is a kind, gentle, loving person, and Audrey looks just like her. Audrey and her mother are very close. The only problem is Audrey's father, Victor. Aud hated him. He was the unopposed patriarch of the family and as far as I could tell, not someone you'd want to get angry at you. I picked up the phone and hit the answer button.

"Hello? Jacob? Are you there?" I signed. Audrey's mother, notorious for being very overprotective.

"I'm here," I replied tiredly, glancing at Audrey, who was still against the wall, staring at the phone as though it was a poisonous snake.

A gruff, brusque voice tool control of the phone and demanded "Where's Audrey?" Audrey's father. I knew that Audrey had heard his voice, for she whimpered and sat on the floor, her head on her knees.

"I'm not sure." I said, eying Audrey carefully. "What's wrong? Isn't she at home?"

"No, she's not!" Victor snapped at me through the phone. "We wouldn't be asking you if she was here."

"Please Jacob, do you know where she is? I –we – just want her home." Theresa pleaded.

I sighed. I hated lying, but at least my face wouldn't give me away, I was a terrible liar.

"My best bet would be checking her friend Maria's Kasmina's house, then the local parks. She can't have come this far by herself. "Did she tae anything?" I ask, playing the innocent friend, ignoring the bags at my bed.

I could hear Theresa walking into her room, saying "Mostly just clothes, toiletries… she took all her money, some jewellery, some of her beloved books…that's it. OH!" She gasped.

"What is it?" I ask, concerned.

"She-she took the photo of her self and her nonno-her grandfather." She explained quickly. "Audrey would never leave without it." Her voice trembled.

I looked at my digital alarm clock, groaning inwardly. Five o'clock was the cruel display time.

If we wanted to leave, it'd better be soon. My resolve hardened, and I said "I'm sorry Theresa, but I have to go back to sleep. Email me updates. Bye." I shut the phone, looking down at Audrey and helping her up. She dusted herself off as I finished packing my bag: money; mobile; USBs; iPod; 2 well-loved books; food; and two bottles of water from the pantry just outside my room.

When I returned, Audrey was ready to leave.

I zipped up my bag, put my shoes and leather jacket on and said "So, where are we going?"