~CLAIRE'S POINT OF VIEW~

I was all set to go.

This was my plan B. (Plan A was running away with Skye, but since he was too righteous, I'm doing this all by myself.) First, I sneak out. Second, I'll call my cousin Jack, to drive me to the pier. I know he won't go behind my back, because he is the kindest and most trustworthy person in this whole world. He's my best friend too.

Now back to finalizing. When we reach the pier, of course I'll take the ship which has the farthest destination. Jack told me a little earlier when he planned with me that Mineral's town a good place. And that it's really far from here. It's perfect.

Then finally, I will change my name when as soon as I reach the place. What would be good for a name, I thought. But idiot as I always am, I realized this change-your-name-thing can be thought over later. I gotta hurry up. Jack's probably heading to our meeting place now.

I stared at my stuff and grinned.

I was leaving with one, big, pink backpack. Inside it are my favorite clothes, (minus the gowns and fancy dresses, of course) my teddy bear named Doodles, my brush, my wallet and my cellphone.

I let my eyes wander in my grand bedroom for the last time. I will miss the blue walls, the large, pink bed, my cosmetics apparently, my millions of stuff toys and all of my pictures of Skye and me. Then my eyes gazed at one photo that hung at the middle of the south wall.

Our family picture.

I slowly walked towards it, and carefully caressed the picture. I touched Mom's soft, smiling face, Dad's unfathomable firm face and finally my ever-so happy face. Tears fell down my face. I would be leaving my family...

So I picked up a piece of paper and a pen.

Dear Ma and Pa,
Sorry for doing this. But don't worry, I can take care of myself. I will just come back after you realize that this arranged marriage is very unimportant and nonsense. Please don't look for me. I promise that I''ll take care of myself.

I love you forever.
Claire

I almost jumped when I heard something.

Oh. It was my phone. Jack's probably calling.

I picked it up and answered.

"Hello Jack?"
"Claire... Where the hell are you? It's midnight already."
"Oh, still in the house... Just making sure I didn't forget anything."
"Are you sure you want to do this?"

I sighed heavily.

"Y...Yes." I mumbled.
"Well, then, get moving. I'm here under the apple tree near the park."
"I'll be there. Give me ten minutes or so."
"Okay. Take care."

I gently placed the note on top of my bed.

I took a deep breath. And said to myself "This is it."

I tiptoed down our pompous staircase, trying not to make any sound when I almost fell. It was successful.

The next thing to do is escape through the back door, specifically the door in kitchen. I had a secret passageway there, it leads to our neighbor Jill's house.

Before I made it to the door,my stomach grumbled. Whoa, I thought. It's like I didn't even eat dinner. So i walked, very quietly, towards the fridge and took an apple. I gobbled it up and felt satisfied. I could eat later in a convenient store, I thought. Jack won't take the risk of me starving. He would take care of me.

So i continued with my scheme. I went through the back door smoothly, not even one sound.

Then, this was the hardest part.

I can't find the hole, the passageway between the two fig trees here in our backyard, behind the thick bushes. It was too dark. And I forgot which direction it was located in our backyard. East? West? I don't know anymore.

Then a rustling sound came right from one of the bushes in the west. That must be the hole. But what was making the noise?

I was trembling in fear.

Then Jill came out of the bushes, leaves and dirt on her hair and clothes.

"Jill, what in the world are you doing in here?" I hissed at her.
"Helping you out." She answered with a bright smile.
"In what way?"
"Well, it seems you didn't know the way to our old little hole, so I decided to show up to let you know." She explained.
"Wait, how'd you know my plans, before anything else?" I wondered.
"Jack, as usual."

Oh c'mon. Why didn't I see the obvious? Idiot. Jack had a huge crush on Jill. He would tell her anything, even my deepest and darkest secrets. But anyway, I was thankful this time. Only this time.

"C'mon Claire. Let's go to the park." She said impatiently.
"And your parents are?" I asked her.
"Are doing something normal people would be doing at this time of the day."
I giggled, and crept in the hole after her.

At last, we made it out of the hole. Jill and I started walking to the park as we plucked the leaves from our now unruly hair. We talked about my life after this, about how would my parents react to this and about Skye. I avoided her questions about him, but as if she didn' feel the evasiveness, she continued asking me dumb questions about him. And finally, I can see Jack pacing back and forth in front of the apple tree.

"Claire. I've been so worried. You were so long."
"Well, I would've taken longer if it weren't for Jill. You told her, didn't you?" I teased.

Jack blushed deep red.

I laughed. And I saw Jill frozen, her cheeks hot red. It made me laughed louder.

"Okay, fine whatever Claire." Jack stuttered quickly, his cheeks still pinkish.
"Ha ha ha." I continued giggling.
"Claire, um, do you still want to run away or waste your life laughing at us?" he snapped.
"Alright already." I pursed my lips, fighting a smile.
"Here Claire," he handed me a cute pink cellphone.
"What's this for? I already have a phone."
"Well, do you want your dad to find you?"

Then I realized what he meant. My father was very powerful. He could find me in a jiffy by just tracing my phone ...

"Okay, I get it." I took the phone and gave him my old phone.
"The new number's saved in my phone and in Jill's." he smiled.
"Thanks by the way."

"So now, what do we do?" Jill asked.

My stomach growled impatiently.

"It seems we have to eat first." Jack smirked.
"Yes,please." I almost begged, feeling the intense hunger now.
"Yeah. I'm starving too." Jill said.
"Okay, but first, could you two, uh, make yourselves presentable?" Jack eyed us.

Jill and I looked at each other. We were a mess.

"Okay, how do we look now?" I asked Jack after making ourselves decent.
"Perfect," he commented. "Now let's get going."

We got inside his car and headed for the convenient store near the docks. Jack bought us cheese burgers, my favorite. I gobbled up two burgers.

"Claire, you eat like a pig." Jill observed.
"Yeah. Guess Jack's not feeding me enough." I taunted.
"Whatever." Jack said. "Get inside the car. The next ship sails at two am."

I looked at my watch. 1:50 am.

"Oh. Yeah. We gotta hurry."

In the car, we had a short conversation.

"So Claire," Jack started. "who were you supposed to marry anyway?"
"Whoa, never thought of that one." I said.
"So you don't know?"
"Yes, and I don't want to know."
"Must be rich, 'ey?" Jill joined in.
"Must be," I agreed.

We finally reached the pier. I got my ticket and stood frozen among the people.

"Claire, what's wrong?" Jack asked. "I thought you wanted this."
"Of course I want this."
"Then get going." Jill said. Then her tone became sad. "I-I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too." My tears were welling up again. I hugged Jill and we started crying.
"Hey, what about me?" Jack demanded. "I wanna hug too."
"Ha ha ha. I'll miss you too, big ol' cousin." I hugged Jack tightly.

I waved goodbye, and walked slowly to the giant ship, teary-eyed.

"Escape." I muttered to myself.

~KAI'S POINT OF VIEW~

"All packed and ready." I whispered to myself.

I was so foolishly excited for this. My freedom, I loved the thought.

I'll leave as soon as the maids downstairs are all asleep, then I'll sneak out. I'll take a taxi going to the pier. Then I'm really free.

I looked at the things I'll be bringing. A few clothes, my phone, and my wallet. Just those.

I lounged around my room, waiting for four am.

Tick, tock, tick, tock ...

I felt quite sleepy, so I decided to take a short nap. Just a short nap....

Tick, tock, tick, tock ...

Wow, it's really warm now. I thought. Never mind...

Wait a minute.

Warm?! It's the sun! My thoughts roared. My eyes popped wide.

"Oh for the love of ..." I whispered.

"Damn! Damn! Damn it all!" I just realized it was past four! It's already seven in the morning!

I picked my bag, darted out the door, ran past the surprised maids and sprinted towards the front door.

"Damn, what am I going to do now?!" I screamed.

Okay, chill. Chill. I have to plan things calmly.

Since I'm sure the next ship will sail at nine am, I can't wait for it like an idiot staring at the ocean.

Then a brilliant idea came to me.

I whistled for a taxi.

" Where to sir?" a friendly, mustached man asked.
"To the Summer Lodge down Palm Beach."

After a few minutes, our resort came to a view. I gave the driver five hundred gold. He seemed surprised by the amount I gave him.

"S-Sir?" he asked, as if the money wasn't real.
"Keep the change. Go on now" I grinned.

So I walked towards the deepest and farthest part of the beach, where my savior is waiting.

Then I saw it. Beautiful.

It was white and apparently fast. It was my speed boat.

I got my keys from my pocket. I never leave it anywhere.

I jumped in and grinned.

"This is it! My sweetest escape!" I yelled, as if I just got out of prison.

The engine roared to life. I patted the steering wheel.

"Now," I whispered. "Time to get going."