Runaways

By Jamila D. Smith

If you enjoyed the movie Set if Off, then you will definitely experience a constant page turner with Runaways. Smith keeps her readers on the edge of their seat with her thrilling stories and suspenseful plots. Runaways is a story of four girls who come from completely different backgrounds, but come together when they escape a traumatic encounter. 

Meet Rianna who is from Phoenix. She has a face of an angel, but a rough- around- the- edges mentality with a mean streak. Rianna is never afraid to defend herself if others stand in her way. Yet she truly has a soft heart when it comes to protecting her family and receiving attention from her lover, who has the perfect touch.

Simone is a naïve diva from Los Angeles who has many odds against her: a striking beauty that girls envy and a smoking body that guys kill to tamper with. Despite that dilemma, she engages in her art work to escape from any drama that threatens her. All she wants is security with her family and acceptance from her rough neck boyfriend, Jamal.

Amy is often perceived as the “perfect Malibu Barbie” from Beverly Hills. She has many secrets and struggles to be heard. Instead, she decides to bottle them inside and has strange outbursts when she finally releases her demons.  At other times she remains in her private world since most people don’t seem to understand her.

Melanie is an edgy red head with a sultry vibe. She knows all about the hard knocks of working the streets of the slummy side of Santa Monica. She stays determined when it comes to hustling and scheming others who stand in her way. Yet, internally, Melanie struggles with confronting her fears and fights the urge of running from her past.

With these different dynamics, the girls have just one thing in common: searching for personal security. But with such different pasts, can these teens learn to bond and support each other through the brutal storms of hard times? Or do they fall for the temptation of chasing fast money, indulging in promiscuity, and tampering in crimes that can have them on the constant run forever? Enjoy the suspenseful events and tear-jerking relationships these ladies encounter in Runaways.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Apr 19, 2010
• ISBN: 9781449052300

Jamila D. Smith

Jamila D. Smith was raised in Massachusetts and Indiana. She became inspired to pursue her writing talents during early childhood. Smith has enjoyed creating fictional stories with passion, suspense and action plots. She holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in social work and secondary education. Currently, she is pursuing certification in TESOL. Her ultimate goal is to teach English to ESL high school students. Smith has previously counseled adolescents, and now teaches ESL to immigrant adults. She enjoys traveling to the Caribbean, where she loves having jerk chicken and macaroni pie. Jamila D. Smith also loves writing intriguing stories, such as her previous novel, Sprouting Seeds, with twisted, thrilling plots for her readers.  

Book preview

Contents

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Remarks

About the Author

Dedication

Runaways is dedicated to the youth who struggle with all the social concerns and peer pressures that come with negative consequences. Continue to search for a positive role- model to support your positive choices and that is what can help you conquer your dreams.

A special dedication to everyone in my family who supported me and helped with making this dream come to life

Chapter One

Phoenix, Arizona

Rianna remembered coming home to her trailer in the middle of her mother’s and mother’s boyfriend’s usual fight after rendezvousing with her boyfriend, Carlos, in the front seat of his car.

Send me a text tonight, Carlos said, dropping her off.

OK, she replied with a kiss.

"And make sure you don’t give my snatch away," he ordered.

No poppy, you know this sweet stuff belongs to you, she kissed him again.

She knew that Carlos was serious. Their relationship was based on one thing only, but he was still crazily in love with her. Carlos enjoyed Rianna’s I don’t give a fuck attitude, along with her enticing, curvaceous body that always fit so well in her Apple Bottoms jeans. Rianna loved Carlos, too. He was the first boy she lost her virginity to two years ago.

She jumped out of his green Cadillac loaded with dubs and spinners and he sped off, ready to make his drug run in south Phoenix. As soon as Rianna opened the door to her modular home, her glow diminished. She was greeted by her mother’s boyfriend cursing and yelling at her mother.

Didn’t I tell you not to go out last night? Didn’t I tell you? he raged.

I’m sorry, Frank; I was lonely and I had nothing else to do. I only went to play cards with the girls. That’s all, I swear, her mother defended in fear.

That ain’t the fuckin’ point. I told you to stay your ass here, and you went out anyway, you whore! Stan says you were out drinkin’ and tryin’ to trick with all the fellas the whole night!"

That’s not true. Stan is a fucking liar! her mother cried.

You’re callin’ my brother a liar?

Hell yeah! she yelled. Stan is full of shit!

Don’t you dare disrespect my family! he shouted, striking a blow against her jaw.

Rianna’s mother fell to the floor and cried.

Frank, stop! You’re hurtin’ her! Rianna shouted. She dropped her backpack and ran to confront him. Stop it!

Shut up and get to your room. This is between me and your mother! he ordered.

No!

Get to your room! he shoved her.

Get the fuck off my mom and maybe I will! Rianna insisted.

Who do you think you’re talkin’ to?

I’m talkin’ to you, motha fucka! she raged.

You watch who you’re talkin’ to. I run things around here, you got that? Now get to your room. I’m not gonna ask you again!

Rianna, please, her mother pleaded in tears. Just go to your room. She dreaded the possibility of seeing Frank raise a hand to her daughter.

But mom, you can’t keep lettin’ him treat you this way! You need to put his ass six feet under, for real! Rianna cried. She hated these moments when her mother refused to defend herself.

I’ll be alright, honey. Just let us talk, OK? Rianna’s mother knew this argument was not over. She was in for a brutal beating soon, yet she wanted Rianna to leave the room regardless.

Whatever, Rianna muttered, walking off.

Frank was suddenly embarrassed that Rianna had the courage to defend herself without falling into his trap of controlling others. He hated the fact that he was never able to control her. Rianna always had an iron-fist and a mouth of a drunken sailor. She never cared about hurting others when it came to standing up for herself.

Julia, what did I tell you about lettin’ her mouth off to me like that! he shouted once Rianna left the room.

Frank, I’m sorry. You know she’s got a mind of her own, her mother apologized.

Shut up! he slapped her again, causing her to weep in pain. As Julia suffered, he began to kick her in the ribs and throw punches at her face. She cried and Frank continued to curse and yell after spitting on her.

Julia lay on the floor in critical pain trying to overcome her beating. The abuse suddenly became more intense, rather than coming to an end. Furniture and dishes were thrown, and all of their precious family photos were shattered. Rianna and her older sister, Rene, ran out of their bedroom and tried to stop him. Their baby sister, Rachel, began to cry hysterically as she stood in the hallway.

Rianna and Rene tried to intervene by jumping on him and yelling, but it did no good. Rianna threw a coffee mug at him, but he ignored it. Frank continued to pound on their mother, who was now close to slipping out of consciousness.

Rene ran up behind him and jumped onto him to try stopping his wild blows. Unfortunately, he was too strong for her. Frank threw her off and sent her flying into a wall. Rene fell immediately and her head met the kitchen wall, broken dishes strewn around her.

Rianna ran to the hallway closet and grabbed her grandfather’s old shotgun. She had it hidden there, ready for an emergency. As she ran back into the kitchen with the loaded weapon, she saw a look of astonishment cross Frank’s face.

Her mother lay in a pool of blood, and Rene remained passed out, facing the possibility of a major concussion. Her younger sister, Rachel, was terrified. Rianna knew that she had to do something.

Go ahead, take your best shot, Frank said mockingly.

Don’t make me do it, motha fucka, ’cause ya know I will, Rianna cursed. I got bullets with yo’ name written all over them!

Her mother was unable to speak, but her swollen eyes and bruised face pleaded with Rianna not to do it. ‘I can’t let my baby go to juvie hall,’ she thought.

You’re a fuckin’ coward, just like your whorin’ mom, he spat.

No the fuck I ain’t!" Rianna cried, pulling the trigger.

Frank’s blood from his gashed forehead slashed onto the walls as his body collapsed to the floor.

NOOOO! Rachel cried, covering her ears.

Rianna stood in shock and silently walked to the bathroom and locked herself inside.

Fifteen minutes later, the police and paramedics were at their home. The case was unable to be resolved because the neighbors refused to talk, and their mother was suddenly in a state of shock and became mute. Investigators and paramedics were unable to get an answer out of her. Instead, she became a walking vegetable. Because of Julia’s mental condition, her children were removed from the home and were scattered throughout the country. The evidence of Frank’s shooting was missing since Rianna’s brother Reece who returned home from school right after the incident, removed the gun. Once he returned home without the weapon, he was able to re-frame everything.

The police had difficulty getting answers from the entire family. Julia was psychologically traumatized and remained mute. Rene had no memory since she was unconscious during the last few rounds of the beating. Their younger sister, Rachel, continued to cry and became too hysterical to answer any questions. As an officer approached Rianna, she gave vague answers such as, I don’t know or I don’t remember. Rianna remained hostile and defensive during her investigation. Her brother Reece, who re-framed everything, was not able to provide sufficient evidence, despite the dead corpse that remained in their home. Instead, he lied about the entire incident.

I came home after school and found him lyin’ on the floor with his brains spilled out, Reece lied. My mother shot him in cold daylight and then before I knew it, she ran out with the gun and told me not to worry about nothin’. When mom came back, the gun was gone, and then she told me to clean up. So, that’s what happened, officer.

After the investigation process, their mother was placed in a psychiatric facility. Rachel was placed with their grandmother in Florida, and Rene was sent to live with their biological father in New Mexico. Reece decided that he wanted to live with his uncle in Seattle, Washington, and Rianna was placed in a group home in Los Angeles. None of her family members wanted to take her in since she was bi-racial and had a different father from the rest of her siblings.

Chapter Two

San Diego, California

Amy was on her way home from a session with her family therapist. She hated going, but went just to please her mother. Dr. Walker says that you’re not making any progress, sweetie. What’s wrong? her mother asked, as they drove along the highway.

Nothing, Amy replied, shrugging.

This was typical for the two of them. The sessions with Dr. Walker were a joke. Whenever Amy was scheduled to see him, she simply lied to her therapist by telling him pleasant thoughts. Or, sometimes she would skip the appointments and go to the Mission Valley shopping mall until the final hour struck for her mother to pick her up. Amy visited with Dr. Walker three times out of 12 visits.

He says that you’re still cutting, her mother replied.

No I’m not! Amy yelled, feeling violated. Slicing her own pain was her privacy.

We’re paying this doctor $125 an hour and already it’s being thrown down the drain. Amy, when are you going to realize that your father and I love you and that we are not your enemies? Please believe that! her mother cried.

Then why don’t the two of you ever come along to the sessions since you two love me so much? Amy spat.

She knew there was no hope. For the past 12 years, her mother had remained in denial about Amy’s stepfather’s drinking and the sexual advances that he made against her at night. Their incidents began at a young age, back when she remembered listening to nursery rhymes. When Amy disclosed the truth to her mother years later, her mother blamed the incident on her and placed Amy into therapy immediately.

You know that your father loves you.

He’s not my father! Amy interrupted.

He cares so much for you, her mother ignored and continued to paint the colorful picture that she wanted her family to live. He just has a hard time accepting that you’re growing up too fast. That’s all, honey. And besides, this isn’t about us, dear. You know that, her mother added, as they pulled inside the garage.

Our goal is to get you to stop cutting and to stop popping those caffeine pills. Your father doesn’t need this right now, and neither do I. You know this isn’t a good time for us right now, but we’re willing to work with you Amy, you’ve got to give us a chance, her mother insisted.

Yeah, sure.

So what did you and Dr. Walker talk about this evening? her mother asked, trying to change the subject.

He told me to focus on the positive outcome of completing my treatment goals, Amy lied.

She was simply repeating what her psychologist recommended her to do three weeks ago. Today, she skipped and went to the movies instead. Going to the movies or mall was her only coping mechanism. Aside from cutting, to escape from her nightmare.

Well good, now we’re getting somewhere, her mother said