Juliet ran until her lungs ached. She looked around and saw a road sign labeled NW 7th Avenue.
Juliet opened her backpack and grabbed a few granola bars. She ripped them open and ate them while she walked down the road. After about thirty minutes she felt her legs get tired and sat down for a second. She wiped the remnants of tears from her face. It was only 11:00 AM and Juliet vowed to walk for the entire day, so she stood back up and kept walking. Cars whizzed by her at high speeds, causing her to jump each time. The road around her had many local stores that she'd never seen before. Juliet's reading level was higher than everyone in her class, so she was able to read each sign and know what it meant. There were restaurants, markets, food vendors, and hotels everywhere. Juliet was a slow walker and she liked to take in everything around her.
Maryanne always told Juliet that they couldn't afford to live in Miami city, so they lived close to it, but Juliet always wanted to live there. There was a sign on the road that said Miami and all the way on the other side of the sign was the number eleven. Juliet wasn't sure what that meant but decided to walk past it and look for another one. Her legs continued to ache so Juliet went into a local restaurant. She pulled her piggy bank out of her backpack and counted up a few dollars. A hostess greeted her.
"Hi," Juliet began, "How much is a table?" Juliet was trying to sound like an adult.
The woman snorted, "Tables are free." She smiled.
"Oh, okay then. May I have a table for one?" Juliet asked, smoothing her dress down.
The woman eyed the bandages on Juliet's head but brought her to a table. She was given a menu and Juliet looked at the items on it. "How much is a plate of fries?" That's what she usually got when the whole family went out to eat.
"That'll be $3.97." The waitress said. Juliet nodded. She held out sixteen quarters to the woman.
She smirked, "You pay at the end, kid." The waitress explained. Juliet sighed.
"One plate of fries, please." Juliet said, trying to sound as polite as possible. The waitress took down her order and left. Juliet took off her shoes and massaged her feet. They ached like never before.
After a few minutes, a plate of steaming fries arrived to her table. The waitress smiled. "Enjoy." She said simply. Juliet nodded and squirted a mound of ketchup on her plate. The fries were delicious! Juliet ate handfuls of ketchup covered fries until there was none left. The waitress brought Juliet her bill and Juliet paid for her fries. "Thank you." Juliet smiled, standing up and walking out of the restaurant.
Juliet started walking again, this time, a lot slower. She was exhausted and decided to take a short nap, but she needed to hide somewhere, that way, if her dad was looking for her, he couldn't find her. There was a wooded lot across the street, so she decided to sleep in there. Juliet slowly crossed the street, making sure that the road was completely empty before crossing.
Juliet stepped into the wooded lot and found a comfy place to sleep. She used her backpack as a pillow and covered herself with a few pieces of clothing. After a little bit of keeping her eyes closed, she fell asleep.
Juliet woke to the sound of leaves rustling around her. She bolted upright and looked around. Her muscles untensed when she realized that it was only a squirrel. Juliet stood up, smoothed down her dress and exited the wooded lot. She looked around realizing that it was nighttime. Her legs were sore from walking so much. The streets around her were much more empty so she crossed them without hesitation. Juliet continued walking for another hour, resting her legs from time to time. Another sign soon appeared that said the word 'Miami' and on the other side was the number ten. Juliet stared for a second, but kept walking. She pulled her backpack off her shoulders and rummaged around for her jacket. The air had whipped up and was blowing passed her body, each time making her colder. Juliet put on her jacket and backpack and continued walking. With each step, she hoped that someone would drive by and take her home like a lost puppy. She covered her face up with her hood, losing hope as each car whizzed by. Juliet had never walked around outside in the darkness. Her legs shook with each step and her heartbeat sped up. The night sky was clear and eerie, like looking into a black hole.
Juliet was weary and felt her legs become weaker as the next sign approached. She longed for a warm bed and blanket, fresh out of the dryer. She strained her eyes to look at the sign ahead. It said "Miami" and at the other end was the number nine. She must've been getting closer to Miami. Determination filled her and she trekked on, this time at a quicker pace. Juliet ignored the burning pain in her shins and thighs, and continued until she saw the next sign with an eight. Juliet sighed and looked around for a place to sleep. There was no hiding place to sleep for as far as she could see. Another sigh escaped her lungs and she sat down on the sidewalk, resting her head on her shoulder.
The world around her became less alive and she felt herself fall back asleep.
Juliet woke up the next morning, feeling her legs ache even more than they did yesterday. She stood up and stretched, looking around. The sun had barely raised over the horizon, making the sky a pink, red color. Juliet guessed that it was around 6:30 AM. She straightened her backpack and walked down the sidewalk. After a few hours of walking, Juliet saw two more signs. One with Miami and the number seven and then the number six. Juliet looked around and saw a sign for a house that said "For Rent". Juliet walked over to the house and saw a lady standing outside of the house, waving to cars. She greeted Juliet.
"Hi, I'm Juliet." Juliet smiled, pulling her piggy bank out of her backpack. "Will this buy this house?" Juliet pushed the piggy bank in the woman's face. The woman smiled.
"I'm sorry, sweetie. This house is a lot more money than that." The woman chuckled. Juliet frowned and crossed her arms.
"Are you sure?" Juliet pleaded. The woman nodded sweetly. Juliet sighed and continued walking.
After she was out of range of the house, she pulled a few candy bars from her bag and shoved them into her mouth. As she walked, she thought, Maybe the next house will be cheaper.
Henry had just finished asking a suspect a series of questions. The suspect's alibi checked out and he was brought out of the questioning room. Henry ran his fingers through his balding hair and sighed. Something wasn't adding up. He paced the questioning room, reviewing each bit of evidence. Suddenly, something hit him. They had been avoiding one person, and that was the best friend. He had reported the murder, and no one would have suspected him. Henry opened the door and ran to the Chief's office.
"Chief, it's the victim's best friend." Henry announced, drawing a crowd around him.
The chief raised his eyebrows and nodded. "Let's bring him in for questioning."
There was now only the number two on the side of the Miami sign. Juliet almost ran to the next sign with a one on it. She was so excited to get to Miami. Juliet waited until she saw a sign that said, "Miami: Next Turn". She looked before crossing the street and walking down that road. Her heartbeat sped up with excitement as she could see a city growing closer and closer. She was finally out of her hometown and starting a new life. Juliet wondered if Ewan was okay right now. She hoped that he got to live with Grandma and Grandpa. She couldn't wait until they were grown-ups and telling each other stories about their new lives.
"Put your hands behind your back." Henry commanded, snapping handcuffs around the man's wrists. "Trey Hoult, you are under arrest for the murder of Harold Farmar." Henry said proudly. He recited the Miranda warning to the man and brought him into a transportation vehicle. Henry smiled at his accomplishment. The Chief congratulated him and held out his hand for Henry to shake. Henry did so and thanked him.
"You can take your last three days off." The chief said, giving him a pat on the back.
Once Henry had left the station, he drove back to his hotel. On his way there, he noticed a small figure with a backpack walking towards him.
Juliet walked for another hour or so, and saw a police car. She wasn't sure of what to do, but continued walking that way anyways. The police car pulled up to her and a man's face appeared in front of her. Juliet trembled a bit, but tried to remain calm.
"Hi, there. Are you lost?" The man asked. Juliet shook her head.
"I'm just walking." Juliet lied.
"What's in the backpack?" the man asked.
Juliet shrugged, "Some clothes and food, just in case I needed it." Juliet continued to lie. The man chuckled.
"To me, it looks like you ran away from home." The man smiled.
Juliet stiffened. "I didn't." She protested. The officer tilted his head.
"Do you need a ride home?" he asked.
Juliet shook her head. "I'm almost there." She said nonchalantly.
The policeman furrowed his brow, "How about you climb into the front seat and you can show me how to get back to your home?" The man suggested. Juliet sighed.
"You won't be able to find it, 'cause I don't have one." She admitted.
"Did you run away?" he asked her.
Juliet nodded, "But, I won't tell you where, 'cause I'm never, ever going back. Ever." She crossed her arms. "My dad with kill me, or hurt me real bad." Juliet continued.
"Does he always hit you?" he asked. Juliet nodded.
"That's how I got this." Juliet turned and showed him her stitches. He nodded.
"Do you live close to here?" The man asked. Juliet shook her head.
"I walked here for two days. On a road call N-W Seven Avenue." She recited.
"Well, you can't live on the streets forever." He said.
"That's why I'm gonna buy a house." Juliet smiled.
"Children can't buy houses," he chuckled. "We've got to get you to an adoption center." He said. Juliet gasped.
"No! I can't go to those!" Tears pooled in Juliet's eyes and fell down her bruised cheeks. "I want to live with a family." Juliet sobbed.
"You will, after someone adopts you, of course." He smiled.
"I don't want to wait! I want a family now!" Juliet wiped tears from her face and let more fall.
The man tried to change the subject, "What's your name?" he asked gently.
"Juliet," she sniffled.
"I'm Henry." He replied.
Juliet nodded and suddenly an idea struck her. "I could live with you!" Juliet suggested, excitement filling her voice.
Henry shook his head. "I could get in big trouble for that." Henry smiled.
Juliet shrugged, "I wouldn't tell anyone." Juliet persuaded.
Henry sighed, he saw the extreme pain and sadness in her eyes. He wished of taking her home and giving he a better home, but knew it was a classification of kidnapping. Juliet looked into his eyes, pleading for a home. She needed one and didn't want to walk anymore.
"How about this," Henry began, "You got to an adoption center and I foster you until you get adopted?" Henry suggested. Juliet sighed, but it seemed like the best option. She agreed. Henry had know idea what he was getting himself into. "But, I live all the way in Santa Barbara, California." Henry told her, "You'd have to come with me, all the way back to California." He explained. Juliet's eyes widened and she bounced around in her seat.
"California!" she chanted, obviously pleased with herself. Henry sighed, this would be a long week.
Henry drove back to his hotel and brought Juliet into his room. He searched on his laptop about adoption and foster care. Looking further into it, he found that both cost more money than he thought. He wrote down a few things and searched plane tickets back to Santa Barbara, hoping there would be one available on the same plane he was taking. There was a ticket available for a plane that would land an hour after Henry's did. Henry bought and sighed.
"Hey, uh, Juliet. I got you a plane ticket back to California, but you'll be riding alone and you'll be landing a hour after me. Is that okay?" Henry asked.
Juliet gasped and bounced up and down. "Thank you, Henry!" She smiled.
Henry closed his laptop and sighed once again.
Juliet boarded her plane and sat down next to a window. She watched the plane take off and lay her head against the window, closing her eyes. Her mind wandered off and she felt herself fall asleep.
Juliet walked off the plane, holding the straps of her backpack. She scanned the airport for Henry. He stood on the other side of glass doors waving to her. Juliet skipped towards him. He smiled. "I have someone I want you to meet." Henry explained, walking towards the exit. He brought Juliet over to his truck that was waiting there for them. A young boy stood by it, waving at Juliet.
Juliet looked up at Henry questioningly. "Juliet, this is my son, Shawn."