Disclaimer: I do not own The Outsiders.
Warning: There is some foul language towards the end of this chapter, hence the reason why it is rated M.
I drummed my fingers on the handrail of the hospital bed I currently laid in.
The suspense was killing me.
They would march in here and ship me off to a girl's home and not think about it anymore than they would if they were out buying their daily cup of coffee. The thought that they may be throwing me into the hellhole that I have been running away from most of my life would never go through their pretty little heads.
They're so ignorant and conceited.
The door was swung open swiftly and was followed by a brief breeze that seemed to carry my thoughts with it as it blew passed me.
Where the door used to occupy stood a man wearing a navy blue uniform, a gold star glistened from where it was stationed on his chest.
" Miss Skywell," his voice coming out stern and commanding as he strutted to the side of my bed, a notepad and pen in hand.
I nodded, slightly confused by how he knew my last name.
" The paramedics were able to get some information out of you before you fell unconscious." he said, answering my unspoken question.
He cleared his throat loudly and continued.
"I'm just going to ask you a few more questions so we can get you home safely."
I knew it.
The moment I tell him that I haven't seen my parents since I was 6 he'll fill out the forms and send me off to the local girls' home.
My sister used to tell me horrible stories about those places. That's why she took me and we ran after our parents left.
She was smart for an 11 year old, she knew those homes weren't meant to keep us safe and off the streets. They were there so they could keep a close eye on you. They would have treated us no different than they would a savage animal.
I began to panic, but I didn't let it show. I tried to think of a plan to get me out of here as he rambled on about all of this being just basic procedures.
"Miss Skywell, why don't you tell me where your parents live." he said.
I stiffened and I unwilling turned to look at him, trying to hide any sign of emotion on my face.
"I don't k-k-know" I stuttered, struggling to maintain my composure.
His eyebrow rose as her peered down at me.
" Really?" he said quietly as he scrawled down something on notepad.
"Where have you been living then Miss Skywell?" he said
I could always tell him I'm living with a cousin that's out of town for the week, but I'm a really bad liar so I don't think I would be able to pull it off.
Even though I was a bad liar I guess I must be lucky cause just then the man's radio started to crackle and seconds later a voice came threw.
" Larry we need you down here right away. Those damn kids got into a fight again in the grocery story on the corner of Main and Hickory." Then the voice left followed by another crackle.
The man standing next to me sighed and proceeded towards the door.
As he reached it, he turned towards me with a weary expression on his face.
" I'll be right back kid after I take care of this fiasco." He spoke to me casually for the first time.
I stared intensely at the back of the door, waiting till I couldn't hear the echo of his footsteps anymore and quickly lunged towards my only exit, ignoring the sharp pain in my chest. I was almost there when a stinging pain ripped through my arm.
I skidded to a halt and twisted back around to view my hurt arm. My wrist was bleeding profusely, and I let out a series of words that no pair of innocent ears should listen to.
The I.V. was still securely stuck in my left wrist.
I carefully took the I.V. out and then jolted to the door. But for the second time I stopped again, realizing I was still wearing the hospital gown. I needed to change; this would be too noticeable out on the streets, not to mention embarrassing.
I scanned the room but found nothing useful. I then began to contemplate all my options as quickly as possible and soon came up with my only decent idea yet.
The nurses' locker room.
A smirk grew on my face as I slid cautiously out the door and down the hall.
A few lefts and a couple stairs later I had found the entrance to my destination.
It must have been around noon cause nurses were coming in and out, some carrying brown paper bags, the others their purses.
I slip in behind two old chatty nurses and ducked into a closet just to the left of the door.
Today must be my day cause as I turned around I saw massive piles of clothes of all various sizes and colors scattered all over the floor. I assumed it was the lost and found for no one could afford this many clothes, not even on a nurse's salary.
I quickly changed into a simple pair of jeans and a fitted t-shirt.
Then cracking the door open I peered out. No one occupied the locker room, so I slipped out and made my way to the nearest exit.
I could feel the sweat trickle down my forehead as I glanced around nervously, a few feet away from the double doors that led outside.
I had almost made it when I heard the same deep, stern voice that belonged to the police officer that once momentarily occupied my hospital room.
" Hey! You, girl! Where do you think your going?"
My heart jumped out of my chest as I sprinted out of the hospital without hesitation. I could hear his heavy footsteps follow me and take off in the direction of the parking lot as I sprinted off down the road.
From there on everything became a blurry mess, but my accelerated heartbeat and my rhythmic footsteps. My pace never quivered as I took turn after turn, winding my way down the somewhat busy streets. The police sirens never fading nor escalating.
As I ran the buildings became less extravagant and grungier. Running from the fuzz through the crowd of strippers, druggies and hoods, I felt at home. I'm sure If I weren't scared for my life right now I would be laughing my ass off.
I had now made my way to the east side's residential district, the fuzz still hot on my trail.
As I turned yet another corner, I ran strait into what I seemed to be a rather tall stationary object and for the second time this week, I flew back and slammed into the crumbled pavement that made up the sidewalk.
My ears detected a string of cuss words as my vision faded in and out. I could tell I was going to pass out any minute as I felt a sticky substance ooze out of the back of my skull.
Just before I blacked out I heard a boy, by the sound of his voice about 16 or 17, say,
" Dally! What the hell did you do to this poor girl?!?"
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XxscarletmoonxX