runaway [robin hayes]

The clock ticked midnight but the lights in one particular bedroom were still turned on, with Robin leaning over the half-open backpack on her bed.

"Come on - work with me dammit," she hissed, using both hands to push the clothes deeper into the bag. Her belongings seemed just as stubborn as she was. No sooner had she taken her hands off did the shirts start to surface again, threatening to spill out the poor Jansport. Robin exhaled sharply, straightening up as she put both hands on her waist and stretched her back.

It had taken quite a bit of time sorting everything out. Granted, it was so much emptier than her old bedroom, but Robin had to admit: it was quite nice to see a bed that didn't have a lot of things on it. She had been so used to sleeping beside her guitar and books that she had nearly forgotten what it was liked to only have sheets and pillows. Robin cast a rueful look at the guitar in the corner. If only it wasn't too heavy. As she glanced around the substantially tidier room, Robin gave a half-hearted laugh. Cleaning really made a huge difference. Well, packing would be a better term. Same thing, really.

I'm being too sentimental. It's not like I spent my whole life in here! Way to get all cheesy in Aunt Mia's guestroom.

Shaking her head but smiling all the same, Robin turned back to her bulging bag. Maybe this would be easier if she actually took the time to fold her clothes rather than just stuffing them all in. Mentally cursing herself for such laziness, Robin made another attempt to squeeze them in and this time she succeeded, pulling the zipper closed before the shirts could put up another fight. Pleased, Robin gave the red backpack an approving pat. "Finally."

Only one thing left to do now.

Robin made her way towards the lone desk beside the bed. On top of it sat a pen and a lined piece of paper torn from her favorite notebook, and for a moment she just stared at these inanimate objects. Funny, how this felt like a scene from a movie. Robin could even hear the theme song in the background. Some song from Mulan - the one that played when she cut off her hair and rode into the rain in a soldier's armor. Ha, Mulan. How fitting. Sitting on the comfy bed for what probably was the last time, she picked up the pen and began to write.

Al,

I'm sleeping over at Celine's. And probably Jamie's or Rose's after that. Don't worry about me, okay? I'll be fine. You know me.

Be back soon,
Red

Robin frowned at the note. It didn't quite look right. Well, maybe it wasn't supposed to look right. It was a lie.

Shrugging off the guilt eating up the edges of her conscience, she started to fold the note. She was halfway through when her eyes widened at a sudden thought. How could she have forgotten?

P.S.: If anything happens to my guitar while I'm away I'm going to break your XBox and gut you where it hurts (and please take me seriously if ever you have any desire to father children in the future).

Smiling at her own wit, Robin folded the note and tiptoed out into the dark hallway. Everyone was still sound asleep. All part of the plan. Squinting at the sudden lack of light, Robin made her way down the corridor, one hand tracing the wall as she walked. Her socks made little noise against the carpet as she finally stopped in front of a closed door. Should be the right room. Hopefully the right room. Imagine the look on Auntie's face if she reads this... Quiet as a mouse, Robin bent down and slipped the note through the slit below the door. A faint sense of foreboding crept up her spine as paper disappeared from sight. She'd done it. No way to turn back now.

She went back to her room just as quickly, silently closing the door behind her. This was it. Time to be gone.

In one swift movement the lights were flicked off, and Robin swung her moderately heavy backpack over her shoulder. Her heart raced as she slipped on her sneakers. She had to try a few times to tie the laces right, and it wasn't only because of the absence of light. Her hands were shaking a little, out of nervousness maybe. Who would have guessed how nerve-wracking this was? She was slightly sweating as she climbed out the window (thank God for her smallness) and landed on the petunias right outside the room. Sorry, Aunt Mia. She took a few deep breaths. After that, there was nothing else to do but run. And run she did.

Robin skidded to a stop as she rounded the first corner of her street, panting heavily from both the adrenaline and the running. She threw a swift look over her shoulder, hardly daring to believe it.

"Holy crap... I actually did it."

Grinning in spite it all, Robin shifted her gaze back to the darkness ahead. Some would say that she was crazy, that her plan (or the lack thereof) was stupid, but Robin could hardly care less. She needed to do this. Maybe she wouldn't make a difference, maybe this would all turn out to be a waste of time, but she couldn't live without at least trying. She could never forgive herself if she just sat around, waiting for news that wasn't likely to come. Well, Robin Hayes was officially done with waiting. Now, she decided, was the time to act.

Her emerald eyes shone with determination as she looked up at the cloudless sky. A shooting star trailed brightly from the heavens and she flashed the stars her widest grin, making a promise that she would be lucky to keep.

I'll find you, Dad. I promise.

coded by sapphire