-C.3-

Autumn's point of view -

Venice was exactly as I'd expected. The streets were packed with tourists, locals, sellers, buyers, etc,etc. It was fantastic. And that was just the view from my second floor hotel balcony. I'd been told to unpack but my suitcase and duffel bag still lay at the foot of my bed. I didn't need to unpack, I wasn't staying. Not for long anyway. Not if I can help it. I knew I'd more than likely be on the streets for a while, but it was better than staying with the Savages.
My daydreaming was interrupted by a sharp knock on the door. With a sigh I left the balcony and closed the French doors behind me.
"Yeah?" I called.
"We're going for a meal, come on." I rolled my eyes as I grabbed my hoodie and left my room. I followed Allsion, Jackson and Tony to a near-by restaurant, gazing around me as we went. We took an outside table so Allison could get a better tan. I had a glass of Pepsi and no food. I was surrounded by strange people, it was a miracle I could even drink. I sat in silence, ignoring the conversation around me until Allison said my name.
"Autumn, are you listening to me?"
I coughed awkwardly. "Sorry, I was in a world of my own." Jackson glared as Allison continued.
"Go and talk to that little bot, he looks lonely."
I turned to see a little Boy, his back to us and his hood up sat on a wall, looking down at his feet. Content with an excuse to leave the table, I made my way toward the boy.

"Mind if I sit here?" I asked as I reached the wall he was sat on. He shook his head without turning so I sat down. I stared at my feet as I tried to strike up a conversation.
"So, you OK?" I felt like an idiot but I don't think the kid noticed.
"Yep. Just waiting for my friends. Are you OK?" He voice seemed familiar but I couldn't think why.
"Yeah. I uh...I guess so."
"You don't sound OK." Why are kids so perceptive? "You can tell me if you like. I always make people feel better." Why was his naivety so familiar to me?
"It's a long story. I'll be fine."
"But I'm seven and a quarter. I'd understand." No way. Not possible. Is it? I turned my head to see the profile of a boy I never thought I'd see again. The same angelic gold curls, same brown eyes, same everything.
"Bo." I gasped.
He turned with a frown which turned to wide eyes when they met my gaze.
"Storm!" He lunged forward wrapping his arms around my neck. I patted his back becoming aware of the 3 sets of eyes burning holes in my back. When I didn't hug him properly he sat back down, a hurt look in his eyes.
"Bo, I'm sorry. I'm being watched." he nodded in understanding. He really had grown up. The last time I saw him he would've spun in circles demanding to know 'by who?'
"Where's Prosper?"
"Selling with Hornet. I'm waiting for Riccio and Mosca."
"Selling what with who and waiting for whom?"
"Selling anything. And Hornet, Mosca and Riccio. They're our friends. Although I think Hornet is Prop's girlfriend but he won't admit it." Bo paused. "Where did you go?" I knew he was referring to when I left the kids home with the Savages. "Who fostered you? Are they nice?"
I shook my head. I couldn't lie to him. "No, Bo. They aren't nice. That's why I can't hug you right now."
"Run away. Come live with me and Prop and Hornet and Riccio and Mosca and Scip and Ida and Victor!"
"Woah, dude! Calm down. Who are all these people? And what happened to the Hartliebs?"
"My friends. Prop took me away from the smelly Hartliebs."
"Good." I mumbled and he giggled at me.
I snuck a glance over my shoulder to see Tony advancing towards us.
"Bo, I have to go. I'm sorry." I stood up as he lifted his head to gaze sorrowfully at me.
"Will I see you again?"
Tony wasn't far, but far enough for me to tell Bo my plan. "Maybe. I'm going to run away tonight. I'll try and find you tomorrow. If it's safe."
"Come to the ste-" Tony was too close now.
"Well, see you later kid."
I followed Tony back to Jackson and Allison, both of whom appeared to have consumed one to many glasses of wine. Great. Jackson gripped the top of my arm tightly and pulled me toward the hotel.
"Why'd he hug you?"
"He was upset and needed comfort. Why?" He squoze my arm tighter and I winced. his hands were large enough to fit entirely around the top of my arm with his fingers over lapped.
"Don't question me."

I stayed silent until we reached my room. He shoved me inside, following and closing the door behind him.
"I thought I told you to unpack." I backed away but my knees hit the edge of the bed. "Thinking of running away again are we?" I shook my head vigorously. "I don't think you'll be capable anyway." He back handed me across my cheek and I fell back onto the mattress. He grabbed a fistful of my hair and dragged me to the floor. His foot collided heavily with my stomach a few time until he knelt beside me. He used one hand to hoist me into a sitting position by my tee shirt before he started to repeatedly punch me in the face.
I blacked out a short while later, when my body had become numb with the pain. When I woke up on the floor some time later, my whole body throbbed. I picked myself up and saw on the clock that it was two thirty am. I looked in the mirror with a grimace. My left eyes was swollen shut, my lip was cut and the bridge of my nose was split open. Dried blood was around my nostrils, mouth, down my chin, neck and on my top. I lifted my top to see the start of a mass of bruises over my ribs.

I didn't bother to clean up or change. No time. Everybody was sleeping. It was now or never. We were on the second floor meaning there was another balcony below mine on the ground. I put my duffel bag over my shoulder so it hung across my body and hooked my guitar on the other shoulder by the strap. I picked up my suitcase and went onto the balcony. I dropped my suitcase onto the balcony below before hoisting myself over the railings of mine. I slowly lowered myself down until my feet felt the railing below me. When I finally landed on the ground I grabbed my suitcase, took one last look at my empty balcony and took off running.
I didn't know where I was going but I knew it was better than with them. I ran through dark alleys and down back streets, far away from the hotel until I couldn't run anymore. My body ached and my mind screamed for a rest. I stumbled on until I found a dark doorway halfway down an alley. I sat down on my suitcase with my duffel under my knees and tucked my guitar down by my side. I rested my head back on the wall and drifted off into an uneasy, uncomfortable sleep, thinking about Bo.