When I ran out the bedroom door I didn't actually suspect to get away. But I figures when you've got noting to lose, why not go for it? I paced through the hallway, into the kitchen and out the backdoor, leaving behind me the giggles of Daisy and Lily. Pa was at my feet the whole time. He could have reached out and caught me if he wanted to. but he just chased me. He was in this for the fight, I thought, he's so disturbed. Exactly like this morning Josh was outside and happened to catch a glimpse of Pa's crazy antics. I shrieked for him to help me while I made my way into the forest. Dodging over branches, swiftly turning corners in between trees I lost I may have a chance, And when Pa fell flat on his face my heart was filled with hope again. Now at least twenty feet behind me Pa was no longer a threat. "You stupid kid!" He yelled. He had stopped in his place, not wanting to continue a battle he had lost. When I felt far away enough to be safe I stopped in my tracks to. "What's that Pa? I can't hear you from all the way down here?" I sarcastically screamed. I knew my bigmouth would only end me up in trouble. For the last year or so I always had some snide comment. Even Josh had gotten to the point where he would tell me to shut-up, but I couldn't. I suppose that's what happens when your silenced for so long. I had never said anything like this in front of Pa, but I figured now was as good as time as any. Behind Pa I could see Josh hiding in the bushes. I loved him so, but sometimes he could be such a chicken shit. "You get right back here." Pa screamed at me, "NOW!" I wasn't stupid, I wasn't going to put myself in the arms of an enemy. "Um, let me contemplate that," I yelled back pretending to be deep in thought, "Well, how about. NO!" I followed with a high-pitched laugh. I thought that right then and there his hand would stretch out and slap me hard. But Pa's attention diverted to behind me then he walked away. An odd thing for Pa to do, but when I turned around I noticed an elderly couple with their jaws hanging down. They had witnessed the whole skit. I was disappointed and relieved at the arrival. I wanted to see what Pa would do next, but I also feared what he could have done next. The couple walked away when they saw me gawking at them, and rightly so. I threw myself down onto the ground. Letting the autumn leaves break my fall. I wanted to cry, but I had such a damn headache. So I just laid there, in minutes Josh was by my side stroking my hair. "What's wrong with you? Don't ya have any common knowledge?" Josh asked. I knew he meant well, but I couldn't take being bullied around anymore. "What wrong with you? You blasted chicken hiding in the bushes! You could have helped me. We could have taken Pa down together." "Brooke, it's not like that at all. You get so mouthy and stupid sometimes. I'm not getting myself into unnecessary trouble." He muttered. I wasn't stupid it wasn't me. I didn't answer him, instead I reflected on what just happened. Pa would never let me enter that house again. I could never show my face to him again (well, maybe I was stupid?!). "Go back home, Josh get me a sleeping bag, leftovers from dinner, my hair brush and anything else you'd need to live off in the woods," I mumbled with a sense of defeat. 'What? You've really gone and become dumb. You can't live in the woods. What if a bear comes? What if it rains? What if you have to go to the bathroom?" He sounded frantic about the idea-and he wasn't even the one doing it. "Hell Josh, we both know there ain't any bears! Besides I'll be staying at the willow tree. It's big enough to offer shelter and Ms. Ruth got a outhouse that I can use." I came up with answers to his questions pretty quick. Actually I had thought many times before about living out in the woods, and now I would be prepared. "So what? You're going to live out here the rest of your life?" He asked. "No, I'm just going to stay here long enough to finish school then I'll be on my way to any college of my choice. I'm getting a scholarship you know?" I said. If I was proud of anything (besides my hair) it was my grade grades. I was over-the-average smart. See, I wasn't stupid. "Yea I know about that scholarship. But Brooke, you can't just leave your life behind. You can't!" He pleaded. I realized then that Josh only wanted me around because he was scared to be alone. Although I knew he'd never admit it. I didn't blame him though I was scared too. I wrapped my arms around his neck and cradled my head on his shoulder. "Josh, we only have a few weeks before we graduate. I have all those 'savings' and then I'll be on my way. Wherever I go I'll get a job and work my way through." By savings I meant the money I had pocketed from various people over the years. There was at least four thousand dollars, which was a helluva lotta money. "But we. we were going to do this together Brooke. We've been talking about since we could talk!" "Do you want to be attached to my side forever." I answered his complaints dully. When I said this his face turned crimson. He got up and walked back to the house. to get the supplies I would need.