Silent Runner

“We should leave town. Just drive and leave everything behind.” I sighed dreamily.

‘Again with the bad ideas. It doesn’t work, trust me.’ She sighed, rolling her eyes.

“Why are you only talking sometimes?” I asked after chuckling.

‘It hurts to talk so much.’ She admitted nervously.

“Makes sense its muscles you haven’t used in years.” I shrugged. “I’m so sorry about tonight.”

She shook her head and shrugged. There was no self pity, no tears, no panic. It made me wonder how bad exactly her life had been, that tonight wasn’t worthy of a response.

To Riley’s request I took her home. After making sure she was feeling okay I headed to my house. It was eleven o’clock had I was exhausted. Whether because of my nightmare the night before, or how long the day had been, I just wanted to sleep.

However when I opened the door the find my aunt and uncle leaning over the dining room table talking in low whispers I knew sleep wouldn’t come. When I entered they both looked up at me. Aunt Martha looked upset and uncomfortable while Uncle Theo leaned back in his chair expressionless. He was gauging my reactions I assessed before standing taller.

“What’s up?” I asked, forcing my voice to sound relaxed as I leaned against the door jam.

“Maybe you should sit down.” Martha offered sweetly. “Do you want some cookies?”

I shifted my gaze to my uncle who met it. Everything was silent except Martha now bustling around trying to mend what was broken with dessert.

“Janice was arrested earlier tonight.” Theo finally told me. “Armed robbery. She shot an officer trying to get away.”

I fought to hide the overwhelming mixture of pain, embarrassment, and relief that washed over me. “How’s the cop?”

Theo shrugged, “He’ll be laid up for awhile but he will recover. He got hit in the leg. He’s in the hospital now.”

“I want to meet him.” I asked, surprising even myself.

“Why?” Martha asked but Theo held up a hand and nodded.

“Okay, I’ll take you there first thing in the morning.” He responded calmly.

I nodded gratefully before heading up the stairs. Martha had made my bed with fresh sheets and I fell onto my bed; barely remembering to kick off my shoes. I pulled out my phone and texted Riley before allowing myself to fall asleep.

The next morning I awoke to a knock on my door. “If you still want a ride to the hospital you need to get up.” Theos voice called through the door.

“Okay, I’ll be right down.” I croaked rubbing a hand over my face.

Footsteps receded as I quickly got dressed. Before heading out the door I checked my phone.

‘Are you feeling okay? Do you want me to come with you?’ Riley asked.

‘I’m fine. I need to do this alone. How are you?’

‘Good, other than a slight headache.’

Knowing Riley like I did, if she mentioned it at all it wasn’t slight. I wished I could fix it but I knew it would fade throughout the day.

‘I’m sorry. Let me know if you need anything.’ I replied before sliding my phone in my pocket.

“You ready?” Theo asked as I looked down the steps.

I hesitated, “Actually I’m going to drive myself. I need to do this alone.”

“Oh, Ethan-“ Martha started but was stopped by a glance from Theo.

“Okay, we trust you to make that decision. We are here if you need anything.” Theo nodded gravely.

Twenty minutes later I knocked on the door to the hospital room. Stiff and hesitant it took several tries before I finally followed through with it.

“Come on in.” The voice that came from inside surprised me but still I pulled open the door.

I froze when I saw a young man in the hospital bed. He had steel grey eyes and golden blonde hair. His skin was a slightly unnatural pale and the pain in his eyes was evident.

I wondered why he was hurting. When I had been shot the only time I had hurt was when I had awoken enough to demand to be taken off the pain medication.

“Oh-uh. I’m sorry I think I have the wrong room.” I said before turning towards the door.

“Ethan?” The man asked, freezing me in my tracks. “Your uncle is an old friend of my dads. He called and let me know you were coming.”

“Oh.” I stammered awkwardly. “You’re not what I expected.”

He smirked bemused. “Oh yeah? How’s that?”

“You’re young.” I shrugged feeling stupid.

He laughed out loud before wincing in pain.

“Should I go get a nurse?” I asked nervously.

“No,” he grinned. “I’ll just tell them to keep the drugs for someone who needs them. From the conversation I had earlier you and I are similar in that way.”

I sighed, finally annoyed enough to overcome my awkwardness. “What else did he say?”

He just shook his head grinning. “I’m Colter. Come on in, have a seat. It’ll be nice to have someone to talk to.”

I fell into the chair in the corner, my protective instinct telling me this was where I should be even though Colter seemed harmless.

“How old are you?” I asked, wincing as my aunt’s appalled expression shot through my mind.

“Twenty-seven.” He said without hesitation. “You?”

“Eightteen.” I responded just as easily.

“Graduating this year?” I nodded in response to his question. “What do you plan on doing next.”

I frowned. This question stumped me. I had been so focused on my mother recently I hadn’t even thought about it. Before that I had just been trying to fit in.

“I’m not sure. I want to help people.” I thought of Riley, as well as my own situation. “People who cant help themselves. I have thought about trying for the police academy…”

“What’s stopping you?” He asked, cocking his head to the side.

I shrugged. “I don’t know. I don’t really think they need someone like me.”

He chuckled. “I would beg to differ. You know how to fight well, run fast, and now know two languages. You’re a shoe in.”

I just shook my head. He didn’t understand that no matter what I did the blood in my veins belonged on the other side of the law.

He sighed, “They don’t judge by who your family is.”

I looked up shocked that he seemed to read my mind. He watched me knowingly. His intense gaze burned into me.

“She is not your responsibility. You don’t have to apologize for anything she does.” He eyed me knowingly.

“I can’t believe my mother shot you and you’re here talking about career choices with me. Don’t you hate me?” I asked seriously.

He laughed, then winced. “Dude if you knew half my story you wouldn’t be asking that. No, of course I don’t hate you. Fucking parents can be more trouble then they are worth.”

I smiled hesitantly and nodded. I couldn’t believe this was happening. If I was honest with myself I had no clue what I had expected from this visit, but Colter had surprised me to say the least.

“You should train with me once I’m back on my feet. I could help you get in and through the academy.” He offered.

“You want to mentor me?” I asked doubtfully.

He nodded, looking deadly serious.

“You really think I could do it?” I asked even quieter.

“I think you have already proven you can do anything you put your mind to.” He smirked.

We sat in silence for a long minute. I mulled over his words again and again, trying to find the play in words. There had to be a trick, and ulterior meaning, but I couldn’t find one. After several minutes I nodded slowly.

“Okay. I mean I guess I could spare some time.” I shrugged passively.