10 Alone

~Being alone can be a prison, or a way of life. It is all in how you use loneliness and how you think of it.~

Quiet. All I am able to hear is the clearing. Crickets and cars, the night life is all but null here. I find this quiet peaceful, because nothing is happening or going to happen.

After I went downtown, I found very little to eat. Luckily, a nearby Subway had tossed out their leftovers at the end of the night. It was just a few meatballs and some bread, but better than nothing.

I haven't heard the voice since I left yesterday morning. And hopefully it stays away. Bad enough I don't have a real place to sleep, but the last thing I need is another blackout. If the dream I had during class was any indication, the voice is violent and demonic. My body has always been weak, and it somehow hurt my mother. But I..

CRACK!

Wait, what was that? Footsteps were coming closer and closer. I don't have any lights, how could they find me?

Taking a deep breath, I focused on calming down.

The footsteps stopped, a little bit away from me.

"...lean, nothing is out here. You said she would be here. I know, still, I'm not even hearing a heartbeat. You know humans can't live without one."

Mr. Lash? Why is he out here? Who is he looking for?

"Look, general, I have searched the entire perimeter of the school grounds and the main area. She is not here. If you would like to come and check, be my honorable guest."

He was moving away so I couldn't hear much more of what he said.

_Go to him._

Ya, no. Something is off with this whole situation. Mr. Lash seems nice and all, but why was he talking about a heartbeat? I have too many questions. Plus the last time I listened to the voice, my life got skewed.

I let out a breath. Ow. My chest kinda hurts. I was probably too focused on trying to stay quiet and held it in for longer than I thought.

It felt like an hour before I moved. I still don't understand why I was scared, only that it felt like I would die if I was found.

How did he not see the tin roofing with his flashlight? I mean, tin is pretty shiny, and I don't have it well secured. Turning to my blanket, settling down for the night seemed like a good idea.

Crunch!

Was he back?

"Penny? Are you out here?" Ruby called. Wait, what? Why is Ruby out here even? "Penny, I saw you head this way after school. We went to your parents tonight. They lied again, about you, and where you were."

Creepy much? Is she trying to bring me back there? NO!! Like hell we are going back there.

"We have a spare bedroom. It's my mom's idea. Come live with me, Penny. No-one will hurt you, not if we can help it." Ruby kept calling for me. Why is she so attached to me? But, I feel as if I should trust her. Why?

_She is safe. We will have a bed to sleep in, if we follow her._

'You just said to go to my substitute teacher. Are your instincts a little off?'

_Not this time. Just go_

"Over here, Ruby." Her flashlight shone my way. "Why did you come out here?" Asking seemed like a good idea. It's weird she came, let alone knew where I was.

"You went the wrong way after school," she stated. " I thought something happened at home. About time you ran away, although, I never would have thought of you living in the school's backyard." I started to gather my things. Only took me a moment.

"Had to live somewhere close to the school. Only way I could hear the bell." I answered back. We started walking to her house, a couple blocks away. "Why do you want me to live with you anyways, it's not like I have much to offer."

"It wouldn't sit well with my parents, and me, if a kid was left outside. We have taken in a couple others through the years. Don't sweat it much, okay Penny?" We started turning down an alley. Shortcut I guess. Ruby was walking ahead of me.

"Alright, but I will leave when you guys say. I won't overstay my welc..."

Pain shot through my back, as I felt something stab me from behind.