Chapter 5: Running Away

A week went by and Ashley was coming home early everyday after school to check the mail. She wanted to get out of this house, she had to. Her parents were already talking to social services about taking her baby away. It was breaking her heart so badly that she thought she was dying.

One day, Ashley came home and she grabbed the mail. "Ashley Hammond," she read. She opened it and smiled. It was her plane ticket. She placed a hand on her stomach. "A flight leaves tonight, sweetie. We can leave tonight," she whispered. She hurried upstairs and went to get her things together. She grabbed her phone and called Kimberly.

"Hello," a little voice answered.

Ashley smiled. "Nathan, is mommy there?" She asked.

"Uh huh," he replied.

"Can Auntie Ashley talk to her?"

"Uh huh. MOMMY!"

Ashley held the phone back with a small laugh. Kimberly laughed when she got on the phone. "Hello," Kimberly answered.

"I got your ticket," Ashley informed.

"Great, when's your flight leaving?"

"There's a plane leaving at ten o'clock."

"What flight?"

"Flight 251."

"I'll be there to get you."
"Thank you so much Kimberly."

"No problem."

Ashley hung up and she placed a hand on her stomach with a smile. She then packed her things.

(8:15)

Ashley peeked out her door and saw her parents sitting in the living room looking over some social services stuff. "This family seems nice," Caroline commented. Greg nodded. Ashley closed her door and the tears fell down her face as she thought about her parents finding people to force her to give her baby to. She left a note by her bed and she walked over to her window. She threw her bags out the window first before she climbed down.

Once Ashley was out of the house, she grabbed her bag and she looked up when her ride came. "Ashley," Cassie called quietly. Ashley hurried over to Cassie's car and threw her things in the backseat. "Ready?" Cassie asked.

"Yep," she replied.

Ashley got in the car and Cassie drove her to the airport.

(Angel Grove Airport)

Ashley stood at the gate and she looked at Cassie. "Thank you so much," Ashley told her. She embraced her best friend and both girls hugged each other tight.

"You just take care of yourself and that baby," Cassie answered.

"Right," Ashley agreed.

"Flight 251 is now boarding," the announcer announced.

Ashley pulled back and she wiped the tears from her face. "I'll see you around, Ash," Cassie told her. Ashley nodded.

"See ya, Cass," she answered.

Ashley then walked onto the plane and Cassie turned and walked away.

(On the Plane)

Ashley found her seat and she sat down. "Would you like anything miss?" The flight attendant asked.

"No thank you," Ashley replied.

The flight attendant walked by and Ashley pulled her necklace out from inside her shirt. She started playing with it like she has thousands of times before. She started humming "La Mer" again before she fell asleep.

(Ashley's Dream)

Ashley was sitting on the bed next to Andros stroking his hair. "You okay?" She asked. Andros let out a sigh.

"My sister's gone again, Ashley," he replied.

She nodded her head slowly and she stroked his face. "We'll get her back," she assured him. Andros placed his head in her lap and closed his eyes. Ashley stroked his hair and started humming.

"What is that?" He asked.

"What?"

"That song."

Ashley smiled. "It's French. My mother used to sing it to me all the time when I was a kid. It calmed me down when I was upset," she answered. Andros let out a sigh and he held Ashley's hand. Ashley continued to hum it and watched as he slowly started to fall asleep.

(End Dream)

Ashley woke up and she let out a sigh. "Miss, we'll be landing soon," the flight attendant informed. Ashley sat up and she fastened her seatbelt as they landed.

(Miami Airport)

Ashley came off the ramp and she saw Kimberly standing there. "Kimmie!" Ashley shrieked. Kimberly laughed and she hugged her.

"Ashy!" Kimberly answered.

Ashley pulled back and Kimberly smiled. "You're not little Ashy anymore," Kimberly commented.

"Nope," Ashley answered.

Kimberly smiled and wrapped her arm around her shoulders. "No news from the dad yet?" Kimberly asked. Ashley sighed and shook her head.

"Nothing," Ashley replied.

Kimberly sat the sad look on her face. "Nah, who needs him. It'll be you and me. Kimmie and Ashy once again," Kimberly commented. Ashley laughed and shook her head. "Then Nathan and this little one will be just as close as you and I are," she added.

"Sounds like a plan," Ashley agreed.

(Angel Grove)

Cassie was getting ready to get to bed when there was pounding on her door. "CASSIE!" Greg shouted. Cassie jumped and she locked the door.

"Stay out, Mr. Hammond," Cassie ordered.

"I want my kid, where's my kid."

"Somewhere far way from you."

Cassie went to walk away when she heard the door break open. "Get out before I call the cops," Cassie ordered. She gasped when he grabbed her throat and threw her against the wall.

"Where's my kid?" He asked.

"I would never tell you," Cassie snapped.

Cassie kicked him in the stomach to get him to leave her alone. When he wouldn't budge, Cassie really wished she had her morpher. "GET OUT!" Cassie shouted. Cassie kicked him in the stomach again and he dropped her. "GET OUT!" Cassie shouted again. Just then, someone else grabbed Mr. Hammond and Cassie looked up to see that it was TJ.

"Ashley's safe from you, now get out," TJ snapped.

He practically threw Mr. Hammond out the door and Cassie stood up. "You okay?" TJ asked. Cassie nodded and she hugged him. TJ hugged her back.

"I'm fine," she replied.

"Good."

Cassie placed her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.

(Miami)

Ashley came into her new room and she sat down. A smile came across her face when she saw a baby crib, a rocking chair, and a changing table. "I know it's a little much for being five months pregnant," Kimberly commented. Ashley stood up.

"You got this for my baby?" She asked.

"Well, Nathan's a little big for all this,"

Ashley touched the crib with a smile. "Its amazing!" Ashley answered. Kimberly smiled as Ashley looked at the mobile over the bed. She turned the song on and she bit her lip when she heard the song. "La mer?" She asked.

"I know that's your favorite song and I know you'd want your baby to hear it too," Kimberly replied.

Ashley smiled and she hugged Kimberly. Tears were falling down her face. "Thank you so much" she whispered. Kimberly hugged her back with a smile.

"No problem, sweetie. You are can stay here as long as you like," she answered.

Ashley nodded before pulling back and went to get some sleep.