99 to Nowhere

by DOMINO

  "Really? So that's why she's so chipper all the time?" It all made sense.

  "Yeah, she's an upper class dope head" He chuckled and glanced behind him to make sure they weren't standing behind us. "She's also screwing the guy three houses down too, baby Lisa’s dad—"

  I covered my mouth so I wouldn't laugh aloud. The thought of her being naughty just didn't fit her soccer mom persona.

  "What about him?"

  "What about him? He's just a total, small prick bastard" he frowned.

  I laughed lightly before I looked around. "Evan, I can't stay here" I said softly.

  "I don't blame you and you shouldn't" He replied. “I wouldn't if I were you. You need to run away before they try to trap you here, by adopting you"

  "I'll never let it happen—" I shook my head. "I'm gonna get out of town as soon as I can—"

  "You got money for that?" He raised an eyebrow.

  "No, but the next time we go into town I'm gonna try to lift some wallets" I answered.

  "No, don't do that. You might get caught before you get on a bus out of here, come with me" He said and kicked the shovel into the snow.

  We stomped the snow off our boots and walked into the house. "You finish out there Evan?" Ben asked when we walked past him.

  "No" Evan answered before we ran up the stairs.

  We walked into his room and he quickly locked the door. I sat down on his bed while he went in his closet and pulled out a pair of sneakers. I watched him remove the rubber sole and pull out a thick wad of money.

  "What the?" I covered my mouth. "How did you manage to get all of that without a job?"

  "How do most of us learn to make money when we're in the system?" He shook his head. "We find ways, stealing; selling drugs—" He mumbled and handed me a handful of cash. "Fifteen hundred, that leaves me twenty five hundred, and I'll have way more by the time I graduate, so take it" he handed it to me.

  I held the money in my hand and looked at him. Feeling guilty, I shook my head and held it back out to him. "I can't take this Evan; you need to get away just as much as I do"

  "Trust me Maxx, I'm in a better position than you are, you need to get out of here" He said sternly.

  "I can't" I shook my head.

  "Maxx" He sat down next to me. "You don't think I notice the way he looks at you?"

  I looked at him curiously. "He's sick"

  "He's beyond sick. I was in the system since I was eight. I've been in plenty of homes and witnessed how some of the men looked at the foster girls that came to live there—" He shook his head. "He wants you and you gotta get out of here"

  Telling him that Ben raped me was on the tip of my tongue, but I bit it instead, deciding to keep it to myself.

  "Thanks Evan" I hugged him tightly before he got up and went to his study desk. "Here, this is my email. I set it up in school, we can stay in touch when you're finally out of all this" He handed it to me. "I'll check it whenever I'm near a computer"

  "Evansfree@yahoo" I smiled and hugged him again before Ben banged on the door.

  I shoved the money he gave me in my coat as he rushed to shove the rest back in the shoe; he threw it in the closet before he walked to the door.

  "Open the door!" He yelled.

  Evan frowned, but opened it cautiously.

  "What are you two doing? Why is the door locked?" He looked us over.

  "What's wrong with you?" Evan asked him suspiciously. "Why are you so interested in what I do now?"

  "Don't talk to me like that Evan" He scowled. "Finish shoveling that snow"

  Evan looked at me and zipped his coat back up. "Come on Maxx"

  I followed him out the door.

  "She's not going anywhere, I told you to shovel the snow" Ben frowned and pointed at him.

  "I'm going to help him—" I added.

  "No you will not" He grabbed the corner of my coat and I was startled when Evan pushed him aside aggressively.

  "She's helping me shovel snow, dad" Evan snarled and took my hand.

  My was beating wildly, I ran down the stairs behind him. I knew Evan was just as tall as Ben. He wasn't as burly, but he wasn't lightweight either. He took Ben by surprise and I'm sure Ben was pissed.

  "Mom, we're out back, shoveling snow" Evan said when we walked back outside.

  "Sure dear" She sang and continued knitting, not bothering to look up at all.

  "Where is the extra shovel, I know they have one?" I asked once he started shoveling again.

  "It's in the shed" He grunted and threw a large pile of snow out of the way.

  I hesitated, remembering the last time I was there. "Can you get it and I'll use this one?" I asked, putting my hand on the handle he was holding.

  He looked at me curiously and shrugged. "Be right back"

  I watched him run to the shed and glanced behind me. Mr. Johnson was watching me, his eyes were narrowed into murderous slits and I wondered just how long it would be before he tried to rape me again.

  That night I snuck into Evan's room and told him all about Rio. I explained how I was caught and my goal was to find him again and start a new life. He told me that he would take the van and drive into town to see if he could find him. He told me that Cory was in the system before, one reason they were so tight, and he still had connections with some runaways on the street. He called him and I was shocked that Cory actually knew who Rio was, as well as Cleo. He told me that Rio was on 99. Evan handed me the phone and I explained what happened while we were at the chapel and Rio wouldn't go back there. He understood and said he could find him, he would search for him in the morning and get back with Evan; I couldn't stop thanking him.

  "You love him right?" Evan asked after I hung up.

  "Yes, very much"

  "He's a lucky guy, homeless or not" He smiled.

  "Thank you" I blushed.

  "Question?" He asked.

  "Shoot" I smiled as I thought about Rio.

  "Did he touch you, Ben?" He leaned forward and looked at me. "That's why you left, ran away the last time, right?"

  I swallowed and stared down at my feet before I nodded yes. "He did more than that" I whispered.

  "Son of a bitch" He grimaced and ran his hands through his hair, as if he wanted to pull it out. "He needs to be dead" He looked at me. "I'm sorry Maxx; sorry I wasn't here to protect you—"

  "Don't be sorry, it's not your fault Evan. He did it, not you"

  "I should have known—" He rubbed his face. “I knew he was gonna try it, but I didn't think he would get away with it, and that's one reason I was always around. Even though you thought I was hung up on you, it wasn't that. I knew if I was always around he couldn't try anything"

  I stared at my feet and understood why he was always there; always hanging around when I didn't want to be bothered. As much as I would tell him to go away and leave me alone, he was always in view. I shook my head, thinking about how he silently tried to keep me safe.

  "Every time I look at him I want to kill him" I whispered.

  "You and me both, you're not the first girl that's been here that he's done that to, there were two before you. I helped both of them get out of here and I have no idea where they are to this day—" He was rubbing his fists down his thighs. "My mom was raped when I was young and I'll never forget it, my step dad, one of many. He did it right in front of my brother and me. My brother never forgot it, never got over it. The reason he sits behind bars right now" He rubbed the back of his neck before he cracked it. "He never forgot his face; he stole my mom’s gun and found him. He was only sixteen, they couldn't prosecute him as an adult, so they sent him to the juvenile detention center, and he went downhill from there. Stealing, jacking cars, selling drugs, and attempted murder. With his prior convictions he'll be in jail until he's 42"

  "I'm sorry" I whispered.

  "It's alright, when I finally find my mom, I'll find out where he's at and visit him" He looked up at me and managed a smile. "I think that things will work out for the both of us
in the end Maxx, I really do"

  THIRTY FOUR

  It was Sunday and the house was quiet. I didn't hear Mrs. Johnson singing in the house and wondered what was going on. I glanced at the clock and rubbed my eyes when I realized it was one o’clock. I slept late and was shocked Evan didn't wake me. I got dressed, moved the chest from the front of my door, and ran up to his room.

  "Evan?" I whispered and knocked but got no answer.

  I opened the door to see he was gone and so was everyone else.

  Great, loot time.

  I ran downstairs first, to make sure both cars were gone, before I ran up to their room. I didn't plan to steal anything from Evan, only them.

  I went through all of the drawers and smiled when I found a silver lock box hidden in the closet. I went in her bathroom and took a hairpin to pick it with, grateful for the skills I learned from thieves, I smiled when it clicked open. I grabbed several pieces of jewelry and took out a few rings and bracelets to sell for money once I got away. I counted the wad of bills and smiled.

  You owe me this bastard. I frowned.

  I took a total of forty-five hundred dollars out of it, every single dollar I felt I deserved, which was all of it. I found several legal documents and went through them with wide eyes. I took everything I needed and went back to Evans room and gave him back the fifteen hundred dollars he gave me plus an additional five hundred dollars. I shoved everything into the hidden compartment in my backpack and gloated. I heard the front door open, so I pulled out a schoolbook and pretended to be studying when Evan walked in.

  "Hey, where were you?" I whispered.

  "He took me downtown for a freaking drug test" He answered and slammed my door.

  "Damn" I whispered. "What does that mean? What's gonna happen?"

  "Nothing, just a reason for him to put me on a tighter leash" He punched his fist into his hand. "I'm not gonna make it Maxx, I gotta get out of here" He shook his head. "I'm not gonna make it, I'll end up killing him or he'll end up killing me. I've had it, and now that I know about him forcing himself on you, I'll probably end up killing him, and just like my brother, I'll end up in jail, but I'll be satisfied"

  "You will make it, you will" I smiled. "You got two months to go for school, you'll graduate and be gone, and then you can find your mom and everything"

  He looked up at me. "I have no idea where she is now" He sat on my bed before Ben swung the door open.

  "What are you doing in here? I told you to go to your room" Mr. Johnson snarled down at him.

  "That's fine, go to your room Evan. I'll just come up there" I replied as I scooted off the bed.

  "No you won't, you'll stay right there" He snarled. He held his lips tight and his nostrils flared angrily.

  I wanted to slap the sweat off his forehead. "Why not?"

  "He's on punishment"

  "Then we're both on punishment" I retorted. "Which means we'll deal with it together"

  "Honey, what's going on?" I heard Mrs. Johnson coming down the hall.

  "Evan and I were just going up to his room to study, we got a research paper due when Christmas break is over" I answered. I grabbed my book and walked past Mr. Johnson.

  "Okay dears, but dinner will be soon" She said and walked away.

  I ran up the stairs to Evans room and closed the door, locking it behind me.

  "Got something for you" I grinned after he sat at his desk and rubbed his head with frustration.

  I opened my book and handed him the letters, cards, and information regarding his mother that I found.

  His eyes widened as he looked it all over. "She's in Kentucky?" He whispered. Tears filled his eyes when he looked at all of the birthday cards. "She still wants me. They lied to me all these years; she has a job and everything—" He wiped his eyes and tapped the card on his leg. “I’m going to find her; I'm going to her" He stood up like he was going to leave that very moment.

  "Wait, I also took some money from them" I whispered. "I put the money you gave me back plus an additional five hundred"

  "Thanks Maxx—" He smiled. “This means everything; you have no idea" He shook his head in disbelief.

  "But you have to finish school first, Evan" I whispered, knowing that he needed to get his diploma. "If you don't, you'll be behind and it will all look bad on your mom when you get to her, you're gonna need it in the future. I don't want you to end up like me, alright?"

  "I don't wanna stay here another minute knowing she's doing well and wants me home" He shook his head. "I can't make it here another two months"

  "You made it this far, so promise me—" I pleaded. "Evan?" I paused.

  We both looked at the door. We could hear Ben's heavy footsteps coming up the stairs.

  "Alright I promise" He whispered. He ran to the door and opened it before Ben could bang on it.

  "Dinner is ready—" He huffed and frowned at the two of us.

  "Why thank you Ben Johnson" I said sarcastically and took Evan's hand. "Let's eat Evan" I beamed and walked past him down the stairs.

  Evan and I sat next to each other at the table and glared at Ben every chance we got, making him uncomfortable for the duration of dinner. I was amused at his discomfort while Mrs. Johnson talked about the community center and her volunteer work, oblivious to everything around her.

  Now that I got Evan straight, it's time for me to escape.

  THIRTY FIVE

  I was packing my backpack the following evening, ready to run away again. Rolling up the new jeans and nice sweaters into it so it would all fit, I wanted my bag ready. I planned to throw it out the window before I jumped out. Everyone was gone and it gave me all the time I needed to get out without them chasing me again. I was mad that Mrs. Johnson made Evan volunteer with her down at the community center, I wanted to tell him goodbye, but the fact that she dragged Mr. Johnson with them made me ecstatic. I tucked my locket into my sweater and looked around my room to make sure I didn't leave anything important, and then, I heard my door creak open.

  "Going somewhere?" Mr. Johnson stood in the doorway with a perverted smile on his twisted lips.

  I didn't answer; I backed up slightly into the closet and crouched down to pull out the butcher knife I had hidden a few nights before.

  "Not just yet" I answered softly.

  He walked in and closed the door. "You mean not before you finish what you started" He licked his lips. "That's what you mean to say"

  "I don't know what you're talking about" My voice trembled. I gripped the knife in my now sweaty hand behind my back.

  "I think you know—" He chuckled.

  He pulled his shirt out of his pants. I watched it hang over his large hairy belly and grew sick to my stomach.

  "I know you and Evan have been fucking, you been giving him all of my cunt, haven't you, Maxine?"

  I could smell the alcohol on his breath from where he stood. I swallowed as my throat grew dry. I gripped the butcher knife tightly, preparing to use it.

  "Evan and I are not sleeping together, Mr. Johnson"

  "He can screw you, but not me, is that it?" He shook his head. "Take off your clothes" He demanded. His eyes were wild as he wiped the sweat from his upper lip.

  I shook my head; I was frozen. He yelled at me to get undressed and I could see the fury in his eyes.

  "Don't do this Ben" My body began to shiver. "Mr. Johnson, don't do this" I pleaded.

  "You’re a big bad bitch when Evan and Eva are here, but just a scared little cunt tease when you're alone" He snickered and stepped back when I revealed the butcher knife in my shaking hand.

  "Don't do this, don't even try, or I'll cut you from here to hell" I growled, but he continued to walk toward me, he knew I was scared.

  "You won't do a thing, just like before—" He snarled and lunged at me.

  I swung the knife wildly, only to have it knocked out of my hand. He grabbed my arms and threw me face first onto the bed, using the weight of his body to press me into the mattress so I couldn't move.
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br />   "Tease me! You'll pay for teasing me you cunt!" He snarled. He tugged at my jeans with one hand.

  I was swinging my arms wildly and kicking my legs to get him off my back as I tried to see clearly through my tears.

  "Get off of me!" I screamed. I felt my pants being jerked down on my thighs. "Get away from me!"