Chapter 4: Out of the Mud and Dripping With Blood

 

 

 The note that I left Greg was this:

 

Greg, I hate to repeat myself but I can’t stress this fact enough. You ruined my and my mother’s life. I never knew anyone could be that cold-hearted until I met you. I know you killed her, Greg. Don’t bother denying it, I have proof. All the proof I need to have you arrested and sent to the electric chair. I’m running away, Greg. You will never see or hear from me again. If you tell the police about my departure I will give the them all they need to have you sent to prison for the murder of my mother. I don’t know how you live with yourself. You kill my mother and abuse the daughter of the woman you killed after the funeral. I will never understand you and I don’t ever want to see you chubby self ever again. Good bye, Greg. You’re punching bag is running away from you once and for all.
Never to be abused again, Alice
 

 

 That is what Greg will be reading right now. That’s what Greg will be pacing the floor about now. Greg will pay. He will pay now because I am now at the police station taping a letter on the entrance door that reveals all of his dirty little secrets of the past few years.

_________________________________________________________

 

 After the woman ran to the body of the driver I lost conciseness. I don’t know what happen but when I woke up the graphic scene was gone. Vanished. I began to wonder if I just imagined the whole thing but it was way too real. Still doubting myself I feel something warm poring down my leg. I look down to see blood flowing onto the slimy ground. The pain hit me. There large chard of glass stuck in thigh. I ease it out and cried into the cold, dark, vacant woods. I hurt so badly. I groaned and wrapped my jacket around it tightly. The pain was excruciating. Greg’s fist against my cheek was less painful.

 

 The whole event of the woman and the car in the woods was so strange. There was so much I wanted to figure out, but I didn’t have the time. Right now the only thing I should have my mind on is getting home where my mom and I belong.
 
            When I limped my way out of the wood I was never so happy to see those slippery sidewalks and road.

 

 I am now on my way to the drug store. What I plan to get is more water, some food, a towel, a pillow, mace, and something to wrap my wounded leg with. I hope I can afford it.  I smile to myself and pull Greg’s ATM card out of my bag. He’ll be upset about this but it will be nothing compared to the visit from the fuzz he’ll be getting tomorrow morning. I type Greg’s year of birth into the ATM (how stupid can you be to make that your pin number?) And make a withdrawal of five hundred dollars. I look up and thank my mother for this. The only money Greg has is from my mom’s life insurance and what she left behind.

 

 I bought everything I needed for four days. That was all my old, withering, backpack could take.

 

 I waited at the bus stop to arrive for what seemed like forever. My plane took off at 5:00 a.m. and I worried about not catching it. But it was only 1:00 a.m. I had time.

 

 The bus came and I limped my way up the steep stairs. The bus driver look strangely familiar. The man was large with silver hair. His face shined a smile at me while I deposited fifty cents into the slot.

 

 I was nervous being the only one on the bus with this man. I was then thankful that I bought the mace. I sat in the back to avoid confrontation.

 

 “What’s a young girl like you doing out so late? Where are you heading?”

 

 No matter my distance he yelled the questions to me.

 

 I had this prepared. I knew I would be asked that. I didn’t expect it this early in my trip but at least I could get some practice now.

 

 “I’m on my way to the airport,” I yell up to him “My mother needs me back in Florida. She hasn’t done do well since I moved her with my step dad.”

 

 “Oh, wow. All the way to Florida, huh? Say hello to the sun for me would you? Don’t get to see her here.”

 

 Nosey person one, lie successful.