6:00 PM CDT
Real World Universe
Amanda was outside in the barn and feeding the cows, as she waited patiently for the family to leave. The radio that wasin the barn was tuned to a contemporary Christian radio station, and it was currently playing Awesome God by Rich Mullins. She felt the urge to tune the radio to an eighties rock station, but she realized she would just get in trouble in did. Not that it would matter much, anyway - since she was determined to leave the home that evening.
Amanda sighed to herself, as she thought of her roommate, Marilyn Fowler. Marilyn was the only other kid in the home who was seventeen years old, as the next oldest kid was only thirteen. Marilyn was about the closest she had to a friend, except that the two of them were very different. Marilyn lived in the home for about six months before Amanda had arrived, and she was the prototypical Christian teenager.
She then thought of how Awesome God was Marilyn's favourite song, only she had the versions of the song that were performed by groups like The Maranatha Singers and The Haven Quartet. Amanda felt both of those groups were even more boring to listen to than much of the contemporary Christian and Christian rock that was played in the home. As least she could tolerate Christian rock groups like Jars of Clay and The Newsboys - even if the lyrical content of some of the songs made her feel ill.
Amanda could faintly hear the family's van pulling out of the driveway. She had then stepped outside to see if the coast of clear. She realized that the van had left. She then took in a deep breath, as she was preparing to make her move. She was feeling a bit apprehensive, to say the least. She had never before felt such the urge to run away. Still, enough is enough - and it was about high time that she was going to take some drastic measures.
Hell, maybe the Lewises would even be so disgusted with her for running away - they wouldn't even want her back. Good riddance to them! Amanda thought, bitterly. She had decided right then and there that she was going to wash her hands clean of foster homes. After all, she was almost an adult - and she felt that she deserved to be independant. She didn't need to be smothered by people telling her what she can or cannot do. She was going into withdrawal regarding her interests in eighties rock music and the Back to the Future Trilogy.
She skipped down the long driveway that went into the street - and then she started to walk slowly down the road, as if she was just taking a stroll on a sunny day. After all, if people noticed her running, they might become suspicious and believe that she was running away - which, of course, she was. She really had no idea where exactly she would end up - but, at this moment, she didn't really care.
Hell, Amanda thought to herself, I would even rather be in jail, than spend another moment living that pathetic hellhole of a foster home. At least, in jail, the people there wouldn't punish you for holding views that are considered unacceptable or unpopular, would they?
She then shook her head with dismay, as she started to realize just how much Paula Lewis was like the Thought Police that was portrayed in George Orwell's book. When she had written that essay for Social Services, she had no idea that Paula would end up receiving a copy as well. She had expected the essay to remain confidential. She made a mental note to rant to her social worker about that betrayal of trust.
Well, I guess it doesn't really matter anyway, Amanda thought, with resignition. Even if she never had written her views down on paper, Paula would've still basically condemn her of 'crimethink'. Grated, Paula would not have called it 'crimethink' - but the idea was pretty much the same. Paula would have accused her of being 'in rebellion with God' - and she have felt it fit to punish Amanda, as a result.
Amanda started to calculate how many days it might take for her to reach California, where she would be a far distance away from the Lewises. Perhaps, as soon as she reached Southern California, she would maybe try to find some odd jobs to do - until she had enough money to rent herself an apartment. Maybe, until she saved up, she could just stay at a homeless shelter. She resolved to walk the long distance, even if it would kill her. Almost anything would be better than spending another moment with that so-called family. Perhaps, if her feet were really hurting - she might only walk as far as maybe Arizona, and then settle there.
Then she thought of a better and not-so-drastic idea. Perhaps, she could just walk over to the western side of the state of Wisconsin - and she could just look up where her biological mother lived, and she could then move in with her. Her mother would undoubtably be happy to see her again. The major problem with the plan, however, was that her mother's case manager might inform Social Services about it - and they would just end up being separated again.
She then figured that maybe she could move to New York City - where her favourite actor, Michael J Fox, lived. Perhaps Michael and Tracy would take compassion of her, and they might allow her to live with them. She would not just be a typical fan trying to make contact with her favourite actor. She would, instead, just be a lost girl who was trying to reach out for his compassion. Hell, maybe Michael J Fox himself could intervene on her behalf - by explaining to the Social Services of Wisconsin that it was not fair for them to have removed her from her mother, and to not even allow them to have any contact. Perhaps, they would listen to someone like him!
Just as Amanda was about to take a turn for the east, she had found a little computer device that had captired her attention. Amanda immediately picked up the computer, and she had pushed the big orange button on it.
Immediately, the screen had lit up, and some words started scrolling across the screen. 'Have you ever wanted to visit the universe of your favourite movie, TV show, or novel?' Then some smaller letters started to jump up under the question, until it had formed a statement. 'Well, now you can! Just press the letters on the keypad to spell out the name of the universe that you would wish to visit.'
This has to be a fake! Amanda thought, herself. How on earth can I visit the universe of a movie, TV show, or novel? I mean, they're fictional, right? She then took in a deep breath. Oh, well, what the hell? Amanda asked. I may just as well try this thing out, on the off chance that this thing maybe really does work.
She no longer really cared if she was starting to go insane by even considering the impossible. Maybe if this thing worked, she could then escape from this horrid world!
She then went to press the B, A, and C buttons - and scrolled down to Back to the Future, wondering what would happen next. She waited a minute, and nothing had happened. Amanda just sighed in resignition.
Did I seriously expect this thing to work? Amanda asked herself, in disgust. It is obvious that I'm going out of my mind. Spending too much time in that hellhole of a foster home can really do that to you.
Suddenly, Amanda felt a very strong gust of wing surrounding her. Amanda tried to convince herself to stay still, telling herself that the strong wind would pass. Then everything went black, as Amanda felt a strong force pulling at her.