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1
Harley
My head is down, covered by the worn, oversize gray sweatshirt I stole from my foster sister. Victoria, our foster mom, doesn’t allow me to wear things that conceal too much of my body.
The lights from the station are a beacon of hope and the potential for escape. As my pace quickens toward the terminal, seeing buses with the signature skinny gray dog on the side makes me worry one is already headed to Greencity, Texas. I can’t miss the chance to get out tonight.
All I have on me is $247. I send up a prayer that it’s enough to cover my fare, or I’ll be left to beg or pickpocket a stranger. It’s too easy now that everyone stares at their screens constantly, but if I get caught stealing again, I’ll be stuck here in jail for the night.
There’s no line as I step up to the teller.
“What’ll it be?” the balding man asks me, his impressive stomach taking up the entire stall.
“Ticket to Greencity, Texas, leaving tonight.” I attempt to sound confident, like I’m meant to be here.
He doesn’t look at me, stabbing his computer keys with chubby fingers.
“One leaves in forty minutes. One hundred and sixty-two dollars. Cash or card?” he drones, his shift clearly nearing the end.
“Cash.” I hand over the appropriate bills, thankful I’ll have enough to last me for food until I can get a job.
He completes his end, shoving the ticket toward me and directing me to the correct bay.
I find my place in the waiting area, avoiding eye contact with the others itching to embark on the nearly thirty-five-hour trip in close quarters with strangers.
We start to take our seats, and I secure a window. A woman with greasy hair and a nauseating smell that rivals a restaurant dumpster collapses next to me.
I breathe a sigh of relief as we take off, the tires overloaded with the weight for the long journey ahead. My side hurts, but it will heal in a few weeks.
Not a soul knows about my scholarship to Ole Tex University. I applied at the public library months ago. I’ll never forget the moment I got the acceptance email, and the bleak future I had anticipated was shattered with the possibility of a new beginning.
A new life, fresh city, different people, and the potential to craft an untainted reputation for myself have me feeling hopeful, maybe for the first time in my life.
2
Adam
“It’s hot,” my brother, Daniel, remarks from the top of the hay bale stack. He leans on an itchy square to wipe his sweating brow.
The Texas heat is already sweltering even though it’s only May.
“We’ll take a quick water break.” I grunt as I toss another fifty-pound bale onto the trailer, motioning for my sister to stop the truck.
The screeching halt of the old brakes fill the air, followed by silence.
Our pastor’s son, Silas, grabs a few jugs of water from the bed of the pickup and tosses them around. He’s got a great arm, especially for throwing baseballs.
“So, how are y’all feeling about tonight?” The Southern drawl of his deep voice breaks into the gulps of cold water.
Levi, the quiet one, looks down at him warily, his eyes shifting around to each of his friends. He takes another long drink and glances at my brother.
Tonight’s plan was Dan and Silas’s idea. They’ve instigated the entire scheme. I’m cautiously optimistic. Levi wants it more than he’s ever wanted anything, but he’s doubtful of the possibility of it actually happening.
“If we can all stick to the game plan, it’s our best shot. Maybe we should do a run-through,” Dan suggests.
My brother has banked hard on the possibility that our parents will concede, but I'm skeptical.
My eyes travel over the surrounding fields, and I can barely make out the tip of the steeple belonging to the 1890s white church we were raised in. We’ve always been homeschooled, and our parents see little value in higher education.
