Walking down the snowy paved road, the wind whistled by me. Sure, running away in negative temptations wasn't ideal, but I would rather not be at home. After getting out of school, I didn't even bother to try and get home. My feet crunch the ice under my high tops, the ends of my flared bottom jeans getting soaked and starting to freeze. Shivering, I keep walking, the bus stop is only another mile away, and it's my ticket out of this hellhole. Headlights appear on the road before the snow-covered car splashes slush across my black leather jacket. Soaking me and my backpack.
"WATCH IT ASSHOLE!" I screamed at the tail lights as they drove off. Flipping them two fingers high in the air before shoving my numbing hands into my coat pockets. "Such inconsiderate people." I mumbled in the air, my breath fogging out like smoke. Keeping my pace, I continued to walk. Another set of lights comes up the road, but they slow. Glancing over, I saw Junction County Police. Damn it. Rolling my eyes, I started walking again.
"Athena!" Dave yells out of his car, pulling up and pacing next to me. "Hun, your folks are worried sick, you need to go home."
"No, thanks," I reply. I ain't going back. "You know they don't care Dave," I stopped, and the car crunched itself along the ice as it halted. Looking at the chubby cop, I weigh my options for running.
"You know running won't work, Athena. Just get in and let’s get you back home." He tried to sway me in. Shaking my head no, I keep walking. I could hear the old man sigh as he sped up and pulled in front of me, quickly cutting me off. The tires slid as they went across the ice and slush.
"For f**k's sake Dave!" I yelled. He didn't say anything, just stopped and got out of the car. Moving my feet, I went to get around the back of the squad car, the ice hindering my speed. Before I could even make it to the other side of the car, I was being pulled back by my backpack straps. Letting the straps fall over my shoulders, I tried to take off running. My feet crunched the earth as they slid on the ice and snow, my black high-tops splashing through the slush. I could hear Dave telling the dispatcher via the radio on his shoulder, my description and name. Seventeen-year-old, white female. Brown hair, green eyes. Wearing a black leather coat, and jeans, and black shoes. In pursuit. His radio mumbled back as I hurried. He was slower than me and I almost always got away. Almost that is. A biting pain hits my back, and my limbs stiffen harder than the road and ice I fall onto. Groaning as the familiar electric current vibrates through me. It is not the first time I have been a victim to that ungodly feeling. Once I can move some, I place my hands on the back of my head. Staying on my belly even though the ice nipped at my skin, feeling the hypothermia already try to set in. I could feel the tear in my jeans at the knees, and I am going to assume from the raw pain in them that they are probably bleeding. Damn it.
"Come on, man!" I tried to beg him once again. Just let me keep moving.
"Sorry, kiddo. Til your eight-teen in three months, I have got to do my job." Dave's annoyed voice said as his knee hit my back. The pressure was enough to squeeze me into the ice, but not hurt badly. Grabbing my wrists, they were small in his massive grip. He put me in handcuffs before helping me to stand.
"Do I at least get to spend the night with you?" I asked sarcastically.
"Athena, this is serious, any more offenses, and you're going to get in a lot more trouble. I will take you home tonight, but next time you are going to the station." He grilled into me as he opened his back door and put me in. Buckling the seat belt over me. "Soon you will end up serving like an adult." Dave said harshly, closing the door loudly. He stood outside the vehicle and called a few code numbers before climbing in, putting my backpack on the seat. At least he didn't search inside of it. Putting the car into drive, he took off in the direction I came from. I made it five miles this time at least, and I was so close. This is my fifth time trying to flee. After a long stretched, awkward silence, we pulled into the o-shaped drive to the trailer park. Pulling up to Lot 2008, he stopped the car. My mother and piece-of-trash father stood on the porch. Dave opens my door, and I swing my feet out. The thick snow clings to my shoes once they hit the ground.
"What were you thinking, sweety?!" My mother rushed towards me, pulling me into a tight hug I couldn't return. Not that I would willingly hug her. It's just a show for Dave. Once he leaves, the real show begins.
"Henry," Dave nodded towards my father, "Mrs. Platz, I need you to back up, so I can un-cuff her please." His hands came to unlock my wrists from the cuffs once my mother, Shelby, stepped back. As soon as I'm free, I rub my wrists, the cool metal had rubbed against my bare skin and bony wrists. He opened the passenger door and handed me my school bag.
"Hey mom, Henry." I shot daggers at him. Walking past, I stomped through the cold snow to go inside.
"Hope not to see you again, Athena!" Dave called out to me, and I just threw my hand up, flipping him the bird. Climbing the slippery wood rotten steps, I make my way inside. The door knob, which sits out of place, rattles and twists slightly before opening correctly. Sighing, I kicked off the snowy high-tops and hung my leather coat on the rack that was screwed to the slatted, wood-paneled wall. Sitting down in the small living room on the couch, it sagged, the springs busted and the cushions fuzz deflating, I waited for the ass chewing I was about to receive. Shoving my black pack under the table, I leaned back onto the dense couch.