Escape by Jessica Pham (polar express read aloud txt) 📖

the ground, Kristen was on the ground, and she wasn’t moving. I looked down at her kidnapper, and threw a few punches. He tried to get up, but I was heavier.

Finally, he managed to get up and run away. I didn’t bother chasing after him. I knelt down next to Kristen. Her little body was moving up and down with every breath. She’ll be ok, I thought.

Then I saw Will running towards us. “Hey man, is she ok? What happened?” he asked. “Some guy tried to drag her off.” I replied. “Oh.” was all he said. He bent down and picked her up, bridal style. We went by the skate park and got her stuff.

Chapter 12

I gasped and jerked awake. Damn, I just had the weirdest dream ever. I dreamt that I had met two guys and then I got kidnapped. I opened my eyes, and Will was looking down at me, concerned. Nope, I guess that wasn’t a dream then. I scowled. “You ok?” he asked. I had just noticed that he was carrying me; I freaked out and jumped out of his arms. I landed on my butt and winced. Sam walks by with his arms crossed and muttered, “Serves you right.”

I got up and dusted my butt off. “Thanks. Uh, for helping me.” I muttered, looking at the ground. “No problem.” Will replied with a lopsided grin. I started walking away, but Will asked, “Hey, where are you going?” “Uh, I don’t know, probably rent a hotel and walk around, why?” I asked. “Well, um, I was wondering, um, if you’d wanna, I don’t know, come stay with us?” as soon as those words left his mouth, Sam yelled, “Hell no!” I glared at Sam, then I said, “Nah, I’ll pass. I think I need some time alone.” I gave Will a weak smile, grabbed my things, and walked off to nowhere in particular. I sighed, I haven’t been here for more than one day, and I already miss my mom. I wonder what she’s doing. I walked around and shopped for clothes.

By the end of the day, my arms were full of bags. I quickly went to the nearest hotel, and rented out a room. The girl at the counter handed me a key to a room in the third floor. I got into the elevator and clicked the 3 button.

I finally made it to my room and then I searched for the card. Ughh! Where did it go? Oh, found it. It was in my pocket. I reached in and grabbed it, trying not to make the bag fall on the ground.

It did though. “Aw, poo.” I muttered under my breath. I heard a chuckle behind me, I turned around so fast, I fell on the ground, along with all the other bags. This is so embarrassing..

Chapter 13

“You ok?” the guy who scared me asked. “Yeah.” I muttered. “Do you need help with that?” he motioned to the bags on the floor. “Sure.” I said quietly. He picked up all the bags without a wince or anything. The bags must have weighed 10 pounds!

I slid the card in the slot and the green light flashed. I opened the door and motioned him in. Yes, I was stupid for inviting a stranger into my hotel room. He looked around and whistled, “Damn, this place is big.” I smiled and told him to set the bags in a corner.

After he did that, we stood there in an awkward silence. “Um, do you want coffee?” I asked, spotting a water boiler and a few packs. “Sure.” He said.

I walked over to the table and made the coffee. Five minutes later, I returned with the coffee. He was still standing, so I said, “Why don’t you take a seat?”

“Okay.”

He sat down on the couch. I went over and sat on the bed with both of our coffees. I handed one to him. He took it and thanked me. We lapsed into another silence. “So, you’re not from around here, aren’t you?” he asked. “Nah. I’m from Florida.” I said. “What brings you do California?” he asked. I looked down and my eyes started watering.

Cassie. She was my best friend, the only friend I had. The person who listened to everything I said, even if she can be a little annoying. She was like a sister to me. And now she’s gone.

“Hey, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry.” He said, worried.

I shook my head. He came over and sat next to me and rubbed my back, “Shh, it’s ok.” That’s when the dam broke. My body wracked with every sob. I buried my head in the crook of his neck and wrapped my arms around him. He seemed surprised at first, but he hugged me back a few seconds later. He continued rubbing my back and whispering things like, “It’s ok.”

Look at me, I let a complete stranger in and now I’m crying on his shirt.

After what seemed like forever, I pulled away and sniffled. “I’m sorry for ruining your shirt.”

“Hey, it’s ok. Don’t worry about it.” He reassured me. He didn’t question why I suddenly started crying. He just sat there and comforted me. I could tell he was going to be a friend. Right after a find out his name. “What’s your name?” I asked after I calmed down somewhat. “Ryan. What’s yours?”

“Kristen.” I replied. He nodded and ran a hand through his hair. “It’s getting kinda late, I have to go. Are you free tomorrow?” Ryan asked. “Yeah.”

“Wanna hang out?” he asked. “Sure.”

He got up and walked to the door. I followed him. He pulled the door open and turned around. “It’s nice to meet you Kristen.”

I ran up to him and hugged him tightly. He stood still for a second and I thought I scared him off, but he hugged me back. “It nice to meet you too, Ryan. And thanks for today.” I squeezed him one more time and let go. I stepped back and he waved at me. “Bye!” I lifted my hand, “Bye.”

Chapter 14

I felt tears prickling my eyes as I ran to the bathroom. I left the door open and braced my arms on the sink. I looked up to the mirror and took in my appearance. Everything around me was posh, clean, and belonged there. I was the only one who didn’t.

I’ll never fit in. I never did in the first place. I shut my eyes tightly. I felt a lump in my throat.

My eyes were swollen, my lips were too fat, my cheekbones weren’t right, my hair was all matted and jacked up. Cassie use to fix my hair all the time, I didn’t know how to dress myself. Cassie..
 

The thought of her brought more tears. I blinked my eyes rapidly. I miss her.. so much.

This is too much. I needed to get rid of these feelings.. I needed to move on. I needed to face the fact that she’s gone. I sniffled, and went over to my luggage. I searched around for what I was looking for while wiping tears from my eyes.

My hand grazed a sharp edge. I wrapped my fingers around the object and pulled it out. I didn’t care that finger was bleeding, I really didn’t.

I prodded to the bathroom and slid down the wall. I bit my lip and slid the razor blade slide down my arm. I felt it; I felt the cool, hard metal go down my pale skin.

I squeezed my eyes shut as tears free fell down my cheeks. Blood was dripping down my arm. The pain felt good, it made me feel like I wasn’t in my body, like I was a ghost. The pain made me forget what happened.

I sniffled and slid it back down my already bloody skin. And again, and again.. My eyes were blurry with tears, and I kept seeing back spots in my vision.

“Hey, I forgot my keys, I’ll- WHAT THE HELL?!” Someone yelled. I was too tired, too out of breath, to care. I felt myself being lifted up. The razor blade dropped on the ground with a clang.

“Hey, Kristen, KRISTEN. Stay with me!” That was the last thing I heard before the world went black.

Imprint

Text: This is all my imagination. Don't copy it, or I'll hunt you down. Jaykay ;D
Images: Images from google(:
Publication Date: 03-08-2012

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
To all the people who have lost someone they loved. Book song: Only Place I Call Home by Every Avenue.