Chapter 5 - Leo

In the far reaches of my mind, I could hear my parents and even my brother screaming at me in our family link. They realized I was gone. And the longer I ignored them, the angrier they got. Do I care? Not even a little. Fuck them! I’m free, and I’m staying that way. If I had my wolf, I’d have happily renounced the Silvermane pack. And when I shift on the full moon, I will do just that and truly be FREE!

I managed to get some sleep after I wrote my postcard to River. I didn’t go into details, just in case. Mostly telling them, I’ll be seeing them soon and how I can’t wait to start this year together. I grumbled awake as the driver made a garbled announcement about arriving in Buffalo. I squinted, looking out the window. It’s not much to look at, but it’s not Silvermane, and that’s what matters.

I ensured I had all my stuff as I exited the bus to stretch my legs, grab food, and mail my postcard. Even though I’m miles away from the pack, I can’t help but keep my eyes peeled. My family knows I’m gone, and blocking them in the link doesn’t mean it’s out of the realm of possibilities that they could find me. It isn’t like the pack is lacking in connections.

They may not like humans, but they aren’t above using them for their own means. I kept my hood up and head down as I moved around the bus station. I found the mailbox, so my postcard is now on its way to River. I hope I’ll get to them before it does. As long as everything goes according to plan, I’ll be arriving in Portland on Saturday, and I’ll use a payphone… are those still a thing or just something in movies? Whatever. I’ll figure out a way to call River or walk my ass to their house.

I’d just grabbed something to eat from one of the vendors, and I started noticing more cops roaming the building. My heart started beating faster in fear that they were after me. Once again, I tried to make myself as small and inconspicuous as possible. Not that making myself small is a problem. I’m already short. But you know what I mean. I want to be invisible.

Cautiously moving through the crowd, I caught a glimpse of a photo the cops were showing to people. It’s ME! Leave it to my parents to give them a picture that I HATE! They forced me to dress up super feminine. My mom did my hair and makeup. Overall it makes my skin crawl just thinking about it. Dressed the way I am, I look nothing like that photo. I may like pink but not when like that. I guess it’s a good thing in a way.

I had a couple of close calls of the cops looking at me, but as I got closer to my bus, I thought I was in the clear. I knew I shouldn’t have let my guard down. I yelped as someone grabbed my hoodie, yanking my hood down. “There you are, Marybeth. We were all so worried about you.” Fucker Prickface sneered, his hot breath reeking of cheap beer and stale cigarettes.

I cringed, nose wrinkling as I tried to duck out of his hold and escape his halitosis. “My name is Leo.” I snarled, stomping his foot as I slammed my elbow into his ribs. As he groaned, his grip on me loosening, I slipped out of my hoodie and started dodging and weaving through people looking for an escape.

My eyes widened in terror as I spotted my dad and others from the pack rushing after me with human cops. “Stop! That’s my daughter!” Dad shouted. I shuddered as he called me his daughter. It isn’t even just misgendering. It’s the general statement—the claiming of ownership. I’m not property! I am a person who will not stand by and watch sick fucks like him decide my life.

So much for my bus ticket. I will have to find another way to get to River now. I ran like my life depended on it, using the crowd to try and escape my dad and the others. I stopped a cab and dived in as a guy opened the door, ready to take the taxi for himself. “I need it more.” I half apologized as I yanked the door shut.

“Where to kid?” The driver questioned.

“Just away from here. And hurry.” I insisted while my brain was still trying to formulate a new course of action. My bus ticket was now useless. I can’t just get back on and won’t get a refund either. The cab driver shrugged and started driving while I counted my money to figure out another way to get to Portland.

“Can you take me to the nearest Amtrak?” I figured a train might be my next best bet to get to Portland. It might be more expensive, but it’s not like walking will be a good option either. I have to be more careful.

“You got it, kid.” He nodded. At least he wasn’t asking a ton of questions. I bet he has plenty, but I don’t feel like answering any of them. I want to get more distance between the pack and me. I won’t feel safe until I’m with River.

“Here you go. And kid, whatever or whoever you’re running from… good luck. Maybe change up your look.” He nodded as I handed him some cash. It’s not a bad idea. Changing my look may help me hide better. And I should reapply what I have left of that scent masking spray.

With this thought in mind, I went into a convenience store nearby and bought a pair of scissors, hair bleach, and then some hot pink hair dye. The bleach is to lighten my hair, so I get the pink I want. I will finally have the hair I WANT, and I think it will make for a perfect first step to my new life of freedom.

Taking everything back to the train station, I bought my ticket, the farthest I could get was to Chicago, but I’ll figure it out. I took my bag of hair products into the bathroom since I had time to kill before my train would depart. I made sure to use the family bathroom so I could lock it and not worry about other people just coming in as they pleased.

I was grinning like a fool as I tied my long hair back with a rubber band to about shoulder length. I can imagine the horror look on my mother’s face if she could see this. She has a sick obsession with my hair which is why it’s down to my back. I HATE it! It’s way too much maintenance to keep my hair this long. And my hair is thicker and curly, so I never understood why she wanted to keep it long. It probably gave her a sense of control over me and enforced some feminine ideals.

It was like a weight lifted literally and figuratively from my shoulders as the scissors snipped through my thick locks. It’s a good thing no one can come into this bathroom. They would think I’m a psycho as I stand here, scissors in one hand, a chunk of hair in the other, grinning like a maniac. I shook my head and giggled as I watched my hair flutter across my shoulders.

“This is amazing! I love this! I mean, sure, it could be a better cut, and maybe when I have time, I’ll go to a professional, but this will work. Now to lighten my hair so then I can dye it pink. I can’t wait to see how this goes. I hope River likes the result as much as I do. They love me no matter what. So I’m sure they will love me with shoulder-length pink hair.

It took a few hours between lightening my hair and then dying it. But by the time my train was ready to board, I looked like a brand new me. I don’t think I’ve been happier than I am right now. I finally feel like me. This is the Leo Hanley I’ve always been and wanted to show the world. Marybeth Hanley is dead and never resurrected. I made sure to burn my old hair and used the scent cover spray.

The train ride was peaceful, at least for the first few hours. Somewhere around the seven-hour mark, it took a turn. All around me, people’s phones were buzzing and going off with an alert. I suddenly really missed my phone. I know not bringing it was strategic to avoid being tracked, but without it, I’ve lost my way of knowing what’s happening in the outside world.

“Excuse me, ma’am. But what’s happening?” I quietly asked the woman sitting next to me.

“Huh? Didn’t your phone get the alert?” She blinked at me like I was an alien for even asking.

“No, ma’am. My phone has been broken since Buffalo. I’m hoping to replace it when I get to Chicago.” I quickly made up a lie.

“Oh… well, I hope you get it replaced quickly. Being without a cell phone can be the difference between life and death.” The woman tisked. “Especially when traveling alone. Do you have family picking you up when we reach Chicago?” She frowned.

“Oh, I’m okay on my own, ma’am. And I’m changing trains to head west. I’m going to visit my Aunt.” I lied, trying to stay vague while using details to be believable.

“I see. Why didn’t you fly? It would have been much faster than sending a child by train across the country.” She questioned. Oh crap. Please don’t let her realize I’m lying.

“Oh, well, I have a fear of flying. It’s awful, so this was the better solution than someone driving me across the country.” I shrugged. “But back to the alert. What happened?” I asked, hoping to get her back on the subject.

“Oh right… A little girl was kidnapped from Massachusetts.” She explained, turning her phone enough so I could see the Amber Alert. I did my best to hide my terror and horror at the picture the police in Buffalo had been showing on her screen with details about me, and more so not to wrinkle my nose as I read my eww name.

“Oh, that’s horrible. I hope the authorities find the girl.” I nodded, hoping I sounded convincing.

“I hope so too. A dangerous place for a sweet young girl like her. I’m going to pray they find her safe and sound soon.” She nodded, putting her phone away.

“Yes. I agree. I’m sure they will.” I nodded. Outside I hoped I was coming off as cool as a cucumber. Because inside, I was freaking out. The whole country would have gotten his alert if people on the train were getting it. So River or their mom and new dad have seen it. If they’ve seen it, I can only imagine River has gone into a frenzy. I hope they don’t do anything stupid.