Running Home

My feet pounded against the concrete pavement as I ran, behind me I heard yells. But I didn't stop.

“If you're caught don't stop to lay low just run as fast as you can,” J.R. had told me before I left, so I kept running. I felt my heart pounding in my chest and my sides were burning but that didn't stop me. As I ran further and further away the yells faded and when I looked back over my shoulder I didn't see anyone. But I kept running.

My only thought was getting home to J.R., my twin brother, J.T., my best friend, and C.T., my little brother. By the time I reached my block I was bleeding and had multiple bruises from tripping and falling. I walked up to the door but before I could knock I collapsed in a heap on the floor, exhausted from running. I looked around the porch as I lay on the floor and remembered the day I left.

Flashback:

My brother looked at me uncertainly, “You don't have to do this, J.D.,” he said.

“J.R., you know as well as I do that I have to do this,” I said to J.R.

“Then whatever you do don't give up.” he said. “If you're caught don't stop to lay low just run as fast as you can. They won't be able to catch you.”

“Yeah,” my little brother, C.T., said. “'Cause they're so slow.”

“I won't be here when you get back,” my oldest brother, C.V., said. “Be safe.”

“I can't make a promise I can't keep,” I said, C.V., grinned at me and he, J.R.,and C.T., hugged me.

“I'll walk with you,” J.T., my best friend, said. “ I need to talk to you.” I shrugged my shoulders and walked out the door with him. “Listen, come back in one piece. We won't be able to survive without you. We would starve to death you're the only one of us who knows how to cook.”

“That is so sexist, just because I'm the girl means you can't survive with out with me,” I said sarcastically. J.T., led me over to one of the chairs on our porch and sat down pulling me down to sit next to him.

“Close your eyes,” he said, I complied. “Wow I was expecting a fight.”

“Whatever, why do I have to close my eyes?” I asked J.T., he leaned over and kissed me.

“FINALLY!!!!” my brothers yelled from the window.

I looked at J.T., “Why did I have to close my eyes?” I asked him.

“ I was afraid you'd punch me in the face,” J.T., said, looking at the ground embarrassed.

“Good move,” I said, laughing, “ I have to go, but I'll be back. Promise.”

“You'd better come back,” J.T., got up and pulled me out of the chair, “good luck,” he said kissing me again. I sighed and set off down the street, when I reached the end of the street I turned around and waved to my family.


“J.D.,” J.T., was shaking me, “J.D., are you okay?”

“Chill I'm sure she's fine,” J.R., said as I opened my eyes.

“J.D.!” J.T., yelled as soon as he saw my eyes open, on his face was the biggest smile I'd ever seen on his face as he flipped his raven bangs out of his face. J.R., and C.T., looked at me and grinned too.

“You've been out for a few hours, we were scared to death,” J.R., said.

“Really,” I said, everyone nodded still grinning.

“Is it done?” J.R., asked me. “Did they give up?”

“Yeah,” I said, “for now. You were right, they stopped trying to catch me as soon as I started running.”

J.R., grinned, “When am I wrong?” he asked.

“Don't get cocky,” I said.

“Hey J.T.,” C.T. Said, “ain't this the part when you kiss her?” J.R., started laughing, as J.T., said something that sounded like, “little kid's lucky he's cute, else he'd be in a lot of trouble,” and started wrestling with him.

As I watched my best friend wrestle with my younger brother I realized, right now nothing else mattered. I was home and I knew I wasn't going to give it up without a fight. J.R., looked at me and smiled as if sensing my thoughts and said the three words I had wanted to hear since I left,

“Welcome home, J.D.”