The Shack

Once I got out of view of Mr. Strummer, the security guard, I started to run. I ran until my sides ached and I wanted to curl upon the road and die. I willed myself to go on. Eventually, I reached the place where the diner once stood, years before I was born, but now only contained a small, abandoned shack. I flopped down onto the splintery lawn chair and regained my breath. Well, I thought, at least I have a place to stay, as I eyed the rusty mailbox and boarded windows. My stomach growled. I went inside, and found an old box of Kraft Dinner. Luckily, that stuff has so many preservatives, it hadn't gone bad yet. I turned on the stove and made my first meal in a new life.

When searching for a place to wash the old bowler hat I was using as a bowl, I found a small bathroom, complete with toilet, tub and sink. At first, the water that spouted out of the tap was orange and unappetizing, but soon it became cool and clear, albeit a little salty. Suddenly, there

a knock on the door. I paused, wondering if it was someone from the orphanage. I didn't move, and soon the door creaked open.

It was Suzy Strummer, Mr.Strummer's daughter. She wanted me to go back to the orphanage. "It's too dangerous!" she cried, wringing her hands miserably, "You'll be killed! Tortured! Kidnapped!"

"I'm not coming with you, Suzy," I replied calmly, a false smile on my face, "But I will promise you this. You tell your dad I'm not here, and I wont throw you down my well." I was bluffing, but apparently she couldn't tell. There was a moment of silence, before she spoke again.

"Fine. But don't come crying to me when-"

"Goodbye, Suzy." She left. In my mind, I made a note to put up a fence the moment I had enough money. Night had fallen, so I laydown on the creaking boxspring and hoped sleep would overcome me.