Author's note: Hello, everyone, I know it's been awhile. I really wanted to update sooner, but I had some problems with my internet. It's kinda didn't work. But now it's ok. So I'll try to update sooner. Promise. And for those who read my "Real life", I'll try to finish the next chapter next week, so keep waiting.

Chapter 3

Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Usually Troy fell to the category of people who love running. But now definitely wasn't the case. When you run for your life somehow all the beauty, calmness and the joy of the action disappear. Your legs become heavier with every step, your heart is ready to jump out of your chest, your lungs are about to explode. But anyway, you can't stop, you just won't let yourself, not until you are sure you are safe or until you just can't run anymore, because you have absolutely no strength left in your body.

After running for what seemed like eternity Troy and Cameron just couldn't run any longer. So they turned into a dark alley, threw their stuff on the earth and sat behind the trash bins. Cameron immediately lay on the ground trying to catch her breath, Troy wanted to follow her example, but when his back touched the surface, some pieces of glass that were still piercing his skin dug even deeper making the guy hiss in pain and sit up again. Cameron noticing another agonized look on her brother's face also rose and studied him carefully. Troy was very pale, he was clutching his side and what is worse Cameron saw some blood on his shirt.

"Hey, what's with you back?" she asked still taking breath in great gasps.

"Well, you saw the wrecks of the table in the room. Some parts of it are still in my back."

"You know it's not very healthy to break glass tables with parts of your body." She noted with a smirk. "How are your ribs?"

"Not broken, sarcastic smartass. So, everything's not that bad." Though Troy's side was killing him, he was well aware that if something HAD been broken it would hurt much more. And that is something he knew from experience. "So, I guess, I'm fine. You?"

"Ok" But seeing disbelieve in Troy's eyes, she added. "Not bad."

Truth be told, Cameron was scared and sore from running (she really hated doing it or any physical exercises, at the matter), but still mostly she was scared. And she knew for sure Troy was scared as much as she was. Although he would never admit that. It wasn't easy to run away, even if you ran from the place you hated the most. Unknown always scares more. And what was this unknown like in their case? Two sixteen-year-old teenagers, with little money, almost no things, on the street, with nowhere to go… sounds really promising. Oh, yeah, they also had a basketball and a teddy-bear, that makes everything better, doesn't it?

"Troy, what are we going to do?" Cameron asked looking expectedly at her brother. "You know, we really need to patch you up."

"Well. Let me think." He sighed heavily. Just like most people Troy hated making decisions, especially the ones as important as these. But at the moment he had to do it. And what made it even better, pretty much everything depended on it. "Ok. First, we are going to Mike. I'll get cleaned up, we'll look through stuff we've taken with us, and then we'll think of our next step."

"Sounds like a plan." Cameron's mood lightened. She liked plans. When you have one, all you have to do is stick to it. And that was way easier than making them. "You think he's still awake?" She asked while getting all their things from the ground.

"Even if not, he'll live." Troy smirked.

Mike was Troy's best friend. They got acquainted thanks to the basketball and in spite of a two-year difference in age, they shared many things in common. Besides, Mike was one of a few people who knew about Troy's situation and he always did the best he could to help his friend. He also had a younger sister who was Cameron's best friend in her turn. But at the moment she was in the summer camp.

Mike lived not too far from the place they crashed at, so it took them only about fifteen minutes to get there. It was pitch dark already, and the lights were off. Nevertheless, Troy didn't have any waves of guilt crashing him while he knocked at the door without stop. He stopped doing that only when he heard loud cursing from behind and when the lights went on.

"Whoever it is, I hope this is something important, otherwise I'm gonna kill you." With these welcoming words Mike opened the door. However when he saw a very beaten up Troy and Cameron, who seemed to cry like for hours, with backpacks, he immediately softened. "Come in." He told them without any questions, which both Troy and Cameron were really grateful for.

"God, Troy…" Mike gasped when he finally saw his friend in the light. Troy had a black eye, swollen lip, bruises on his neck and cheek and there also was some blood on his arms. "Oh my God, what did he do to you? Let's go to the kitchen. Troy, put off your shirt, Cam, go, and take the first aid kit."

While Cameron was out, hissing and cursing Troy pulled off his shirt revealing huge bruises on his side and abdomen. Though it was even worse with his back: some pieces of glass were still stuck there. Mike just gasped at the sight. He didn't need to ask how it happened; he didn't want to know how it happened. He hated his friend had to go through this, he hated Jack Bolton, he really hated his guts.

When Cameron returned and saw the condition of her brother's back, she decided not to be original, and repeated Mike's action- she gasped.

"Do I look that bad?" Troy asked mockingly. But noticing her completely shocked state he continued trying to reassure his sister. "Seriously, Cam, it's really better than it looks like."

"Hey, it's ok." Mike also looked with concern at the girl as he saw tears forming in her eyes.

"No, it's not. It's not ok." Cameron whispered looking away for a second to wipe off her tears. She was really angry with herself for breaking down especially now when her brother needed help, her help.

"Hey, little sister, I'll be fine." Troy assured taking Cameron's hand and gently squeezing it making sure she really listened to him.

"Troy, we need to take out that glass, just hold on, ok?" Mike warned still looking at Cameron with worry.

"Just do it, I'll be fine." Troy told them trying to look confident, even though he wasn't, because he knew it would hurt like hell. But any way if he got these pieces of glass in- and survived, he can get them out- and nothing will happen.

While Mike was busy with treating his back, Cameron brought some packs of ice and helped Troy to apply it to his neck, eye and cheek. It took pretty much time to patch Troy up. Finally all the glass was taken out, all the lacerations were cleaned and cauterized with iodine, his ribs bandaged.

"So, doctors, will I live?" Troy joked trying to enlighten the mood.

"Yes, you were a really brave patient." Cam complimented her brother, since he really heroically stood all the procedures. And it's a real deed for guys. Mostly they are ok with getting into fights, but treating their wounds… That's a different story.

"So you decided to run away?" Mike asked already knowing the answer. "I'm so glad you finally decided to do something, to make this step." But after noticing the backpacks he immediately frowned. "Guys, you are running away from your home for a long time, to say the least. And that's all you got? What have you taken?"

They quickly unpacked everything they managed to get with them. The good thing was that Cameron took their passports. However the amount of clothes they had left much to desire for. Troy had just a pair of jeans, three T-shirts, a sweatshirt and a shirt, plus trousers that were on him (the shirt he was wearing couldn't be worn any longer). Cameron had two skirts, four tops, a sweater and a blouse, plus jeans and a sweater that were on her. They also had some underwear, but the real problem was shoes. They had only what they were wearing.

"Not too much." Mike stated, Troy and Cameron just lifted their hands in dismay.

"You know, we were in a hurry. Our dad threatened to kill us. Not the thing that makes you feel relaxed."

"True. Ok. Cam, you can take some stuff of Jules, I'm sure she wouldn't mind. With you, Troy, we'll have some problems. My clothes definitely won't suit you."

Troy looked skeptically at his friend. He was about twenty centimeters taller and broader in shoulders. Troy would sink in Mike's clothes.

"Hey, I have some old clothes, that's too small for me, I think that will do for you just fine. Cam, go to Julia's room, take everything you need. Troy, sit here, I'll find something. You can collect some food for your … trip."

So, while Cameron and Mike were looking for clothes, Troy dealt with supply of provisions. He took some cookies, crisps, some apples, a bottle of water and some canned fruits. He put all these things on the table and waited for someone to return. The first one was Cameron. She was holding a shirt, a pair of jeans, shorts and a T-shirt.

"You feel better?" She asked in concern throwing everything on the couch.

"Yeah, much better. You? And don't say just fine, right now I need to know the truth, ok?"

"I'm a bit shaken. Can't believe we are really doing it." She shrugged.

"Me neither." Admitted Troy. "But, you know what, we gonna be ok."

Cameron smiling came up to her brother and carefully embraced him. She put her head on his shoulder enjoying peacefulness she always felt when she was with him. But it was ruined when Mike appeared with some bag.

"Ok, I've found something, I think it's your size. I suggest putting all your stuff here, and food- in your backpacks."

Another ten minutes passed while they were packing. But then they were ready to leave, though there was just one question left- where?

"I know where you should go." Both Troy and Cameron looked at Mike with hope in their eyes. "Remember I told you about my uncle and aunt. The ones who have a son of your age who is obsessed with basketball. They live in Albuquerque, it's in New Mexico. Several hours, about seven or eight from here by car. You can take my room in the basement. It doesn't sound fantastic, but the room is pretty cool, and there is a separate bathroom there, and even a door leading outside. It's a perfect place."

"Wait, but what are we gonna tell them? And why are you so sure they will let us live there. I doubt they are dreaming to have two more teenagers in the house."

"Hey, they are cool. And I will call them tomorrow, it's too late today. I'm sure they will be happy to help you. And you can say…"

"That our father is a sailor, and he went for some long voyage. And we had some problems with our flat, like the hosts had some family problems and couldn't let us stay any longer." Cameron as an expert in lies suggested, leaving both guys looking in surprise at her. They were purely shocked by her imagination.

"Wow." Finally Troy expressed his opinion.

"Oh, it was just nothing. I can do much more." Cameron just smiled half shyly half slyly. "One more question- what about school? I mean, we still have two years of it, you know. I don't want to drop out."

"Don't worry about it, I'll do everything. I'll get you excepted in East High, the same school my cousin goes to. You ok with it?"

"East high… Sounds nice." Cameron gave her verdict. "But how are you going to do that?"

"I've got my way." Mike smiled mysteriously.

Their peaceful sitting together was interrupted by loud knocking at the door. All three of them exchanged worried looks. Something told them this late visitor wouldn't bring them anything good.

"Open the damn door! Troy, Cameron, I know you are here. Get your asses here, or…" They heard a voice that was so familiar to all three of them.

When their fears were confirmed, all of them froze in panic for several minutes. Troy was the first one to snap out of this numbness. He quickly grabbed backpacks, a bag and finally Cameron, who was still pretty out of it and dragged her to the door.

"Thanks, Mike. For everything." Troy said when they were at the door.

"Troy, you'll need this." Mike threw the keys from his car which Troy caught easily.

"Thanks. I'll return it."

"Don't worry about it. Take care of Cameron. And just stay safe."

Troy nodded and still dragging Cam ran out of the house. They jumped in the car and drove off.

Hope, you liked it. Please, review.