A/N: I do NOT own National Treasure. I do, however, own the plot and the OC and would appreciate if you didn't steal them.
National Treasure Story
By: AutumnsAshes
Chapter 2 – The Life of a Runaway
Living on the streets was never easy for Raelin, but as any other she grew accustomed to it. Shoplifting, drug dealing, and mugging, she had to do it all to survive. It was never like this before though. No, for most of her life Raelin was happy. She had the perfect life, good grades, good friends, and a close relationship with her family. They did everything together and it seemed that nothing could damage the bond they all had. But one fatal accident was enough to change that. Raelin's older brother, the one she was closest to, was involved in a terrible car accident. The other passengers in the car were severely injured but her brother didn't make it… he didn't even have a chance. This incident crushed her incredibly and she closed up since she found out. Freakish depressions started to consume her soul. Her grades were dropping, she rarely spoke to her friends anymore and things kept getting even worse from there. Her parents started bickering about the smallest things. Those soon after turned into huge fights up to the point where they got a divorce. Now she lived with her mother who was constantly pressuring her to go back to school, discouraging her and everything else of that sort.
At this point Raelin finally cracked and ran away. Of course she took some money with her, but that would only last so long. She rationed her money and traveled all the way to New York from where she lived back in Ohio. It was there when she finally ran out of cash. Shoplifting and mugging became habits for her as she carried them out each and every day. She hated doing it though, she didn't want any of this to happen, it wasn't supposed to turn out this way. Every night she would cry herself to sleep and wish things were the way they used to be, although her wishes would never come true. A year went by and Raelin met someone who provided her with money if she would deal drugs to clients of his. At first she opposed the offer, it was wrong but then again she mugged people and shoplifted, that was wrong too and she desperately needed money so she reconsidered and took the job. This too became part of her daily routine, and it had all been going well… up until tonight.
One of her boss' clients wouldn't pay the money that they owed him so Raelin had to go back to her boss empty handed. This angered her boss immensely. He beat her for an hour straight using mainly his fists and legs but occasionally he took out a switchblade and would slash at her arms. After he was satisfied he kicked her in the stomach one last time and left her lying in a bloody heap. She was in so much pain she could hardly move, nor could she speak. She had no one that would help her and she doubted anyone would help even if she was able to cry out for it. This was New York and it was 11:00 at night and Raelin was completely alone. She painfully reached out and grabbed her backpack with her few most treasured items and clutched it close to her heart as she curled up and let sleep consume her.
Please review and tell me what you thought, constrictive criticism is welcomed. And just so you all know the first few chapters are like a… prologue I guess so they might seem odd the way their written but I will change it to normal writing format when it gets to either chapter three or four. (If you didn't understand that then just forget it.) Anyhow, review please!
