Tobias (Reynolds Ranch 2)

I jump in my Lexus after tossing my bag into the back seat, and back out of the driveway. My parents gave it to me as a present for my high school graduation. It’s a princess vehicle, loaded with all the features, and the best part is that it’s in my name so they can’t report it stolen. The only reason they did it was because all my other classmates had that and more and it would look terrible if I didn’t have at least the same if not better.

I don't have more than a few hours before they come home and see that I've fled, so I have to use my time to escape wisely. I pull into my university campus lot and park, needing to get everything I can out of my dorm so I can create a fresh start somewhere else. My father has money and power, but his political and financial reach isn't that far.

I quickly and quietly enter my dorm, doing my best not to be seen so that I can’t be stopped by anyone for just a moment of small talk. Thankfully, everyone is on Christmas break so most of the buildings are empty.

There isn't much I want to grab, but I need some supplies. Pulling my suitcase out from under the bed, I plop it open on the mattress. I look at the time, and I only have fifteen minutes to get in and out. A majority of my things have been organized, but I didn’t want anyone to come snooping, so I couldn’t pack early. I stuff my clothes and my photo album from when I was a baby along with my bag of toiletries into the suitcase. Zipping it up, I grab my covers, sheets, and a pillow off my bed. Sleeping in my car might be a necessity while I’m on the move to a new life.

The first step after I leave is to hit the ATM and take the max of the daily allotted money. Luckily there’s an ATM blocks from the school. Tomorrow I’ll go to the bank in Chicago and close my accounts so they can't track my money. All I have saved is ten thousand dollars, but that’s a decent amount to get me started somewhere else in a small town where things aren’t too expensive.

I rush out to my car, stuffing my bag in the trunk and driving off as fast as I can. As soon as I hit the highway, I only exit when I reach downtown Chicago. Thankfully, the roads are smooth, so I don’t feel so stressed, but the lack of people out at this time makes me a bit uncomfortable. It's a big city and hard to find someone trying to hide during the day, so I need to duck in somewhere they will have a hard time finding me in. It's after midnight, so I park in an overnight garage next to the hospital to sleep in my car. It's getting cold and late, but I don't have a choice and decide to make the best of it.

I quickly put on my full winter gear once I bundle up in the back seat, I cover myself with my blankets, keeping me snug. I’m grateful that it’s a balmy, forty-two degrees tonight to help keep me warm.

****

I only sleep five hours because despite it being unseasonably warm for winter, it's too damn cold, so I hit up the McDonald's on McClurg and order food with my sunglasses. No one says anything even though the sun isn’t out because people probably think I’m hungover. I hide in the seating area with my food, searching on my phone as I wait for the bank to open. The warmth is so good, and the food takes away the stabbing hunger pangs I didn’t know I had.

It's eight when I slip on my winter wear and leave the restaurant, making my way to Chase, trudging through the melted snow that has formed puddles all over the sidewalks. There’s a Seven-Eleven on the corner so I hit it up for some goodies for the road and a map, grateful that they still make them because I’m going tech free really soon and completely off the grid.

Once I finally make it to Chase, the security guard asks me to remove my sunglasses. I’ve kept them on so no one will notice my black eye and bruised cheek. It takes me a second to work up the nerve, but I don’t want to cause a scene, so I comply. I walk over to the counter and fill out the slip with my account information and wait for the teller to call me to her station.

“Hello, I’m here to close my account, please.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’m going to need to see your ID or driver’s license, please.” She verifies the identity and hands it back to me without much hassle. The teller isn't surprised I want to close out my account, but I'm guessing the big shiner on my eye is enough reason. As the transaction comes to a close, she lowers her voice and says, "Do you need me to call the police?"