"Don't call me that!" I yell.

I run down the hall and lock my bedroom door behind me and lean against it. "Nate?" Sully asks next to my ear on the other side of the door. "Nate, I swear I didn't mean it. Please let me in."

My throat has stopped working. The stinging patch of my cheek is much too familiar. I know talking will only bring sobs, so I slip my notebook out of my back pocket. I scribble, Leave me alone.

"Nate, please open the door," Sully says. I rip out the page and slip it under the door. I watch his shadow bend down to pick it up. He sighs and says, "Okay, I get it. I'll check in on you later tonight."

I start to pack up my bag, stuffing it with clothes and the money I've hidden under the bed. Before I leave, I write Sully a note and leave it folded on the bed.

Sully,

I'm leaving. Don't run after me because I won't come home with you. I know I've been a terrible person lately. I guess I deserved what I got. And don't worry about the bruise. You'd be surprised how many others I've collected over the years. Your's was just a drop in the bucket. Sorry I'm such a disappointment.

Goodbye,

Nate

With the note left on my bed, I slip out of the window and down to Sully's car. I always kept a spare car key in my room in case of a situation like this. I pull out of the spot and start driving. I've already been formulating a plan of action.

First, I stop at the hardware store that doubles as a forging mill. I'm going to need to pass as a 21 year old if my plan is going to work. Within an hour, Mark has printed me a new ID. Sully and I are regulars, so the rush job doesn't clean out my wallet.

Then I make my way to the library. A quick web search turns up the address of both of my next stops. By the time I leave, I have them both committed to memory, I print them out just in case my muddled mind starts to delete "unnecessary information". Stupid brain...

Next stop: the airport. I park Sully's car by the departure terminal. That'll throw him off my scent. I leave the doors unlocked and the keys in the glove box. I didn't want to steal Sully's car. It would be way too easy to track me down. I'm sure he'll find the car eventually. Sully's weird like that.

Once inside, I make my way to the barren rental car agency desk. I ring the bell, shifting my feet nervously. This part needs to go quickly and smoothly. Fortunately, I don't have to wait long for a man with a name tag to emerge from the back room. He gives me a strange look before asking, "Can I help you, sir?"

"Yes, I would like to rent a car."

"You must be 21 to rent a car," he says dismissively.

"I am 21."

"Really?"

"Yes, I'm just short."

"Could I see some ID?"

"Yeah, here." I place my bag on the ground and root around for my wallet. I hand him my ID, holding it between my index and middle finger. I've seen Sully do it like that before.

The man inspects it with a single raised eyebrow. Eventually, he sighs reluctantly and begins to discuss vehicle options. I settle on a Camry. I figure it's the most inconspicuous choice. I'm pretty sure nobody's ever done anything illegal in a Camry.

I toss my duffle onto the passenger seat and start the car. I take a deep breath and grip the steering wheel, trying to set a determined look on my face.

Time to find Sam.