**

Runaway: Part Four

**

She thought it might be another dream, but after opening her eyes and staring out the window, her mind told her it wasn't. She had finally stood up on strong legs. It felt like nothing could stop her, no one could tell her what to do, and more importantly, nothing or no one could take away that moment.

**

The sun was disappearing out of sight and it painted the sky with warm pastel colors as Lorelai stood on the footpath and watched the cab slowly drive away.

There were people on the streets, she noticed. Even though she was tall for her age, Lorelai felt very small, small not only because she was literally being looked down on, but small because she felt alone. 

It was quickly growing dark. The people on the streets were slowly moving back to their homes and the surrounding street lamps and twinkle lights were being turned on. She felt a shiver travel up her spine from the decreasing temperature and a thought. Where was she going to sleep tonight? Her face took on a worried look. Lorelai had no idea where she could find a place to stay, no idea at all, and to make matters worse, the cab ride had depleted half of her cash. Her toes were beginning to feel abnormally cold and her breath was fogging up the sight in front of her. It seemed that her ideas were screeching to a grinding halt as the worry in her mind rose. Quickly, Lorelai crossed the street and began to run, her backpack vigorously slammed up and down on her back. She looked at her surroundings, searching for a place to think and get out of the cold - nothing, nowhere, nowhere at all. She winced and began to wonder if she had made the right decision.

Lorelai walked hurriedly up the steps of the gazebo and plonked her backpack on the bench before rubbing her chilled hands together. She glanced around and watched as the lights in the small shop fronts began to go out, one by one. Lorelai shook her head 'I'm screwed, I know it, I'm done for.' Just about every muscle in her face was tense and her blue eyes had turned into an aqua-green color. A few minutes went by and nothing happened, no ideas, no plans, just quiet anxious sitting. The sky was nearly on nightfall. The last of the lights went out, the only illumination came from the twinkle lights.

Silence.

The only sound was the beating of her heart. It was almost deafening. The tension within her body rose until Lorelai thought she would surely explode. Her eyes focused straight ahead. Somewhere between the tension and confusion that were flooding her senses she spotted a light flicker on. Suddenly, Lorelai's head shot up and focused on the light (possibly her only hope). Seconds later she witnessed a young boy muttering to himself as he walked down the stairs of the lit up store before he forced, what seemed to be, a bag of trash over his shoulder. Her heart pounded deeper into her chest as she froze, 'Get up! Up! Up! Up! This will be your only chance!! Move your ass! Move!' Lorelai jumped up quickly, knocking her backpack to the ground in the process. She gasped at the sudden movement and promptly snatched it from the ground. Her eyes followed the boy's movements. Lorelai quickly began to descend the stairs, her feet tender from the chill. Struggling to hold her backpack in her arms she slowed down her pace and slung it onto her back. The boy had gone around the corner, he was out of sight. Lorelai crossed the street and swiftly jogged along the rest of the path leading to the corner.

SMACK!

"Ahhhh!!" Lorelai screamed and went flying backwards, her backpack taking most of the impact.

"Jeese, are you okay?" It was the boy, at least she found him.

Lorelai grimaced trying not to act like she was in pain. "Yeah, I'm fine, dandy, swell, amaaazing even," sarcasm was apparent in her voice. She began to pick herself up.

"I'm sorry. Here, let me help you up." He moved to her side and took her forearm helping her to her feet.

Lorelai glanced up at him as she smacked the dirt off her pants. "Thanks."

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"I don't know." At this point she really didn't know her elbow felt a little funny, but other than that, physically, all was pretty good.

"What are you doing out here anyway?" The boy questioned.

Lorelai let out a deep breath. "Oh, ah, I- I needed to take a break from something, and well, yeah . . . but I don't have anywhere to stay." She looked up at him and continued, "it was like a spur of the moment thing, nothing could have prevented it." He didn't say anything. Her arm was starting to hurt.

Finally he spoke, "Oh, okay. Are you from here? I've never seen you around before."

"No, I'm not from here. . . I'm from Hartford." She spoke soft, wondering whether she should be giving this information out. She didn't even know this person.

"Ahh," he said knowingly, "So you're a rich girl."

Lorelai gave him a funny look and took slight offence. "I am not a rich girl!" She took her arm and nursed it. "Does it look like I'm rich?" She said mockingly.

"Most people who live in Hartford are rich."

She sighed in defense. "My parents have money, not me," she paused, "I probably shouldn't even be telling you all this, I don't even know you, or your name."

"My name's Luke, it's Luke. What's yours?"

She winced. "Lorelai." The cold was really getting to her sore arm.

Luke noticed this, "Are you sure you're okay, you're holding your arm."

"I don't know, it's really sore, it's probably just the cold." She shrugged it off.

"It seems like it's more than that."

"Well I don't know maybe it is!" She said loudly. A tear trailed down her face and she quickly turned.

"Hey." He put a hand on her back. "My Dad and I were just about to go home, he owns the Hardware store. You should come and get your armed checked out."

Lorelai was emotional, both from her arm and the sudden regret she felt for leaving her house. She sobbed and said breathlessly, "But, I don't even know you." They had both began to walk.

"Come on, don't worry." She didn't protest and followed Luke down the street.

**