Chapter 11
I didn’t spend much time wandering the mall, I knew Dad would have the cops, mall security and Jake searching for me. In truth, I hadn’t figured out what to do after I ran. The second I reached home, I’d be hauled off back to the hospital by the ear and grounded for life. I found the bathrooms and sneaked into the mechanical room, from there into the service hallways where deliveries were made out into the back alleys of the Mall. Made sure no CCTVs were watching, saw two and tried to calculate the angles where I was not in view.
Swore when I’d wished again I’d brought my cell phone so I could call Felice. Bitched when I realized I’d lost my two new books and bet Dad hadn’t snagged them when I ran.
I took my chances with the cameras hoping no one was watching the back live and walked casually through the darkened bays toward a high cyclone fence. Climbing over posed no problem, I dropped down onto city streets and within four blocks knew where I was. Trouble was, this part of the city didn’t have a subway, nor did I have bus tokens, subway fare or cash. I had no cell phone, and the only one I could call was Felice, and although she probably wouldn’t rat me out to Dad, I couldn’t exactly hide in the White House.
Same for Ms. Penny or any of the agents I knew. Had some close friends from school, but couldn’t call them without a phone. I kept walking, standing still in this neighborhood wasn’t a good idea. There were a few people on the streets, a lot of car traffic, but not the kind you’d want to ask for directions or a ride. Lots of bodegas and small shops, all with steel bars on the doors and windows. Two and three-story buildings with apartments over the first floor. I was on Eighth Street, turned left on Beaker and saw a Verizon shop that was still open next to a Dunkin Donuts and Pizza Hut. The door buzzed as I went inside and the guy behind the counter quit looking bored as he asked me what I needed help with.
“Cell phone.”
“What kind?”
“Droid, pay-as-you-go. I want one charged and activated.”
“You a fugitive?” He laughed.
“No. I lost mine and I don’t want my Dad to know.”
“Got lots of droids. How much you want to pay?”
“Hey, dude, I forgot my wallet. Can I borrow yours?”
“Pay phone outside, down the street,” he told me.
“Got no cash, dude. I just need to call for a ride home.”
“Local?”
“Just the city,” I returned. “I can pay when my ride gets here.”
“Okay,” he decided and handed me his own iPhone.
I texted Felice, she was the only one I could call for help.
Felice can u come get me.
I ran. Dad and the SS R after me.
I was coming home 2morrow.
Now I’m not sure.
Where R U?!!!
U won’t tell D?
Downtown, U need 2B where UR safe!
Go back 2 hospital.
No!!! I’m going home with or W/OU!!
I was pissed and handed back the phone. Remembered to say thanks and stomped out the door. Came back in and apologized. “Can I make one more phone call?” I begged. He handed it back over. Dialed the nursing home, asked for Uncle Townsley and waited. The staff told me to hold on and she would get him, he was playing poker with the residents.
“Make it snappy,” he said curtly, minutes later. “I’m holding a winning hand.”
“Uncle Town? I need your help,” I said quickly.
“Danny? Where are you?”
“Verizon store on Mason and twelfth. Any way you can steal a car and come get me?”
“Where’s Mike?”
“I…ugh…we parted ways and he’s not exactly happy with me,” I said cautiously. “I don’t want to go home, either.”
“You know I’m still in the nursing home, Danny? They don’t believe in my miraculous recovery. Still, I know my way around, and I can swipe some keys. How long you got before this place closes?”
“Why?”
“I can’t sneak out until lights out and bed check. After that, the lazy SOBs don’t check on me because I don’t piss the bed.”
“They close at 8 PM,” I read off the sign.
“Hey, man. You can’t loiter here that late,” the desk jockey blurted.
Uncle Town heard that. “Okay, Danny boy. Here’s what we’ll do. I’ll call a taxi to come pick you up and bring you here to the Home. I’ll pay the fare and smuggle you into my room. You can stay the night. But you have to call Mike so I can tell him you’re safe.”
“He’ll find me,” I protested. “Make me go back.”
“Maybe so, Danny, but it’s not fair to make him worry about all kinds of horrors that could happen to you. Besides, maybe those head bangers can help you.”
I shuddered. No thanks, I’d rather live on the streets than go back. “This dude’s letting me use his cell phone. I doubt he’ll extend the courtesies to a third call. Besides, he’ll tell Dad.”
“Dude, are you running away from home? Cuz if you are, I ain’t helping you. I could be charged with kidnapping!” He snatched the phone from me and spoke into it, “hey, man, come get this kid or I’m calling 911.” He hit the END button and glared at me.
“You’re a real Samaritan,” I said dryly, and left the store. I bet he was dialing before the door even shut behind me. I cut through a bunch of back streets coming out behind a Chinese takeout and found a dumpster that was relatively clean, squeezed between it and the corner of the building where the kitchen vented. It was warm and smelled of cabbage and soy sauce. It was quiet, secure and dark enough so that no one could see me. I was so nervous, I started up at every sound for the first two hours. The restaurant closed at ten and around twelve midnight, a mangy dog sneaked out and rooted around the garbage eating the leftovers. He smelled me, came to investigate and whined. I patted his head, his eyes were large, brown and fearful looking. He was a cross between a Shepherd and a Heeler, about 30 pounds. Blue and black with one blue eye, one brown. Like mine. He wormed his way in with me and I put my arm around his thin body. His heat warmed me, and with him on guard, I fell asleep.