2 Chapter#1

Tras

♫ • ♬ • PORTLAND FRIDAY / / : PM

Most people believe that their birthday is worth celebrating. Likewise, they believe that that day will be full of pure happiness and zero complications. At least an average birthday boy on their special day should be eating cake, receiving gifts, having fun with their family and more if they are coming of age, they should be elated because of their impending freedom. But, not everything is rosy, not for Ingrid. Today is the day when she finally reaches maturity with respect to society, but she is not eating cake or receiving gifts, no, she is in a humid and little decorated room covered up to her nose with her blankets waiting for everyone to sleep.

A few hours passed and finally I don't know I heard anything other than the tick tock of the clock on the wall. He got up quickly, making as little noise as possible as the old floorboards squeaked with moisture. The small room was in the attic of the house. Despite being the smallest with the most leaks and problems, it was cozy to a degree. I was painting white but you could see the yellowish spots from the water leaks. It was full of drawings and posters as a teenager's room should be. Still it was a bit sad.

Finally she discreetly went downstairs to the kitchen and grabbed a couple of bottles of water with bags of potato chips plus granola bars and the occasional energy drink. She hurried up the stairs passing in front of her "parents" room making sure they were asleep. Returning to his path he made one of the boards creak causing one of the sleeping bodies to stir. She stayed frozen in place hoping and praying that no one would wake up. When he felt out of danger he went back to his room and took his backpack under his bed and began to pack the granola bars with the potatoes and everything he had taken from the kitchen. It also included a few changes of clothes and only two pairs of shoes. He took a couple of bandages and alcohol from the small bathroom that had hardly been installed there. I finally take the savings that I jealously guarded four years ago and tuck it behind her phone case.

The poor thing was a LG of not so advanced range. I had a broken screen due to the absence of a glass protector. It was completely black and the home button was missing on the back, so it had to be turned on with two taps of the finger, of course this only worked when touch sensitivity did not fail.

It took him about five minutes to finish dressing and put the backpack on his back along with a mask and a black cap that covered his eyes. He put a pair of gloves on his hands because the night was cool and his skin was sensitive. Finally, he grabbed his headphones and ran to the front door.

I was struggling with the knob, but it's completely locked. He went to the one in the backyard, but it was the same. The only thing left to do was plan B, or as she called it, "The Rib Breaker." Yes, he dubbed it that because it consisted of jumping down from his bedroom window. It wasn't a big height, but it was enough to break a bone or two if you didn't manage to land well. He took a deep breath after climbing to the window and stood on the window frame holding on tight. He looked down and took a deep breath closing his eyes. After counting to three, he jumped crashing into the bushes below the window that led to the dining room of the house.

He got up rubbing his body, checking to see if anything had broken. He was glad to know that his ribs were in perfect condition. He only received an occasional scratch on his arms since they were discovered. He ran out of the small front garden that adorned the house and hurried across the street, thus taking the path to the bus stop closest to the residence.

Already sitting there, away from any possible danger of being discovered by her family, she took her cell phone and called a taxi agency. No one answered and she did not have enough patience to wait for anything else, so she stood in the middle of the street ready to stop a car or be run over in the attempt. Minutes later, in her limited vision, with a little help from the streetlights, she managed to see a black Ford pickup approaching her. He started to wave and stopped just in front of the lane, causing the driver to stop short.

He ran quickly to the window and tapped with his clenched fist, drawing his attention.

–"Hey, are you crazy?" -said a young man after lowering the window with his hand on his chest- he could easily have run you over. You must stay at least five meters away from the street.

–"Take me to Seattle," -she said quickly.

–What?

–I'll pay you five hundred tickets, or more if you want but take me to Seattle. -She said louder and calmer this time.

-Well ... although how do I know that you are not a fugitive from the law?

–If it were such a thing, I would not have hesitated to hit you as soon as you opened the window, besides, I would not be asking so kindly and I know for sure that I would not be paying you. she said somewhat dazed.

The young man inside the car looked suspicious so he was quiet for a few minutes. He lowered his head a little to see Ingrid's eyes. He concentrated on looking at the caramel-colored orbs, seeing in them a little fear and despair.

-Goes up. -he said sighing- go behind. I'm going to Seattle, you don't have to pay. Of course, don't mess up the back, ok?

-Thank you. -she said to sigh in relief.

She jumped into the back of the small truck, sitting on the floor of it, resting his back between the backpack and the wall of the cabin. He gave two touches on the glass of the same warning so that they could start traveling. He picked up his phone and put his earphones in his ears to start looking at the sky. The trip lasted at least an hour from city to city. So he had plenty of time to think about what he would do when he arrived.

Ingrid wasn't completely helpless, no. At the beginning of the year, he had taken the university entrance exams and succeeded. He got a place to study what he was passionate about. She wanted to be a graphic designer, so she studied hard to get a space in the university. He had his approval letter in his backpack and a digital copy on his phone so he could present it.

He occupied his thoughts on what he would do when he got to town. He had to find a job and a place to stay. He had enough money to pay a month or two of rent depending on the rent, but that money would not last a lifetime. Ida in her thoughts rocked strongly after the truck came to a somewhat abrupt braking.

He took off his headphones and poked his head out of the cockpit glass and saw the driver get out around the truck. She looked curious and saw that a rubber band had burst. So he threw himself to the ground and approached the boy.

-Need help? -He said pointing to the rubber.

–"Sure, two are better than one, take the cat that's in that trunk over there," -he said, pointing to the compartment- "and take the toolbox that's there too."

With things in hand, he put them by his side and began to help solve the problem. After a few minutes, they finally fixed the truck, getting back into place to continue on the road. Ingrid took some damp towels from her backpack and handed them to the young man to wipe the grease off his hands. He thanks and she responds with a nod.

They go back on their way and there are no more complications until they reach their destination.

Already after an hour and a few minutes, counting the incident halfway they were already in the middle of the city. Ingrid turned her attention to the light show that the city was projecting even though it was barely almost midnight. Spellbound by the lights, she didn't realize they were calling her

-Hey, pss, hey.-said the boy- where do I leave you?

-Hey? ah, sorry, I hadn't heard you. If you can, drop me off near a 24-hour store.

-Okay? -He said looking at her strangely.

A few minutes later Ingrid was standing in front of a supermarket. It had huge letters on the outside that said market, plus a watch the same size as the previous letters. It's not exactly a convenience store but it was something like that.

He stood in front of the establishment with his backpack on his sword and put on the coat that was tied around his waist, took off his cap and let the night wind blow his brown hair with blonde highlights. He put his hands inside his coat pockets and stood there watching. I walk a bit until I reach an alley where wailing can be heard. He ran and saw a man sitting there begging for alms. While opening her backpack to get something out, the man hit her legs causing her to kneel on the ground.

After this, the same man gave a signal and one more appeared, he took Ingrid's backpack and hit her on the back. She trying to stop them takes the feet of one of them throwing him to the ground. He crawls but the one with his backpack sticks a knife in his right thigh. Thanks to this, he writhes in pain, grabbing his leg and the one who had fallen to the ground begins to kick it, leaving bruises on his face and torso.

When they feel the noise of the sirens, they run at maximum speed leaving her lying there. Ingrid, due to the pain, cannot remain conscious so she closes her eyes praying that things do not get worse.

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A pleasant warmth ran through Ingrid's body. He could feel the distinctive comforting softness of a good cushion on his back. She stirred a bit in search of more of that heat until her eyes opened alarmingly, thus falling from the chair where they are lying making a sharp noise from the fall

When you open your eyes again you find a cozy atmosphere, without a doubt, an atmosphere of home and family. In front of you is a red brick fireplace with some wood accents, above this are a couple of ornaments and a television that tunes in the evening news. Rubbing his butt he tries to get up but a sharp pain runs through his right leg causing him to fall again but this time with a pitiful screech. He begins to remember everything that happened a few minutes ago and tears begin to appear in the corners of his eyes.

–It seems that you have woken up. I was already worrying that you wouldn't. -said a slightly hoarse voice bruised by the years with a touch of concern and relief- the wound must still hurt a lot, and by the way, you have a peculiar way of waking up my dear.

"Excuse my lack of manners, but who are you?"

Ingrid asks the person in front of her. She was a grandmother in her sixties with a glass of milk and cookies.

- No dear, excuse me for not introducing myself, I'm Miriam, Miriam Cliver. A pleasure to meet you. What is your name dear?

–My name is Ingrid Woods, thanks for helping me but I have to go. I must get my things back. -I said trying to get up leaning on my good leg and the chair- sorry for the inconvenience I could cause.

–Oh, no no no no no, you don't leave here today. That leg is wrong. Besides, I already have your things, the men who attacked you were reprimanded in time.

Really? Thank God -sighs relieved- why did you help me if you can tell?

"You remind me of one of my granddaughters." Also, I doubt that you are a danger to me so why shouldn't I help you?

–Thank you, really thank you very much, how can I pay you for your concern?

–It is not necessary, that you stay here today is enough dear. I have to make sure you're okay. Tomorrow you can go if you like.

Granny put the glass of milk and cookies on the coffee table in front of Ingrid and sat next to her.

"Thank you very much, it really is a relief."

–Don't worry, how about I take you to the room to get some sleep so you can sleep well until tomorrow?

"I don't want to be a bother to you."

-Do not worry. It's nothing, let's go then.

Ingrid accompanied the lady to a room that was next to the kitchen. Granny left Ingrid there and said goodbye with a good night. Ingrid walks slowly around the room and puts her backpack on a desk there. He lays down slowly on the bed and falls into a deep sleep thanking heaven for having his backpack back.