Running Scared by Susan J Bruce

Author:Susan J Bruce
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Susan J Bruce

‘Tea’s ready in fifteen minutes, possum. Lentil and tofu stew,’ Aunt Lynn calls from the kitchen. Mum still has no energy to cook so the tofu menu continues. ‘You’ve been at that computer for hours.’

‘Okay.’ I can smell simmering garlic and ginger—Aunt Lynn says they are good for the immune system—but I wish it was stewed steak and new potatoes. ‘Just finishing my homework.’

I tap my fingers on the desk next to the keyboard. An English essay is due tomorrow, and as I figure I can’t really stop going to school, I better finish it. I’ve been working on it since I got home and only have one paragraph to go. We were able to choose any topic we liked as long as it had something to do with poverty. Thali said last week she was going to write about drug addicts, but I chose to write about something much closer to home—drought.

As I finish the essay, images of Kylie play over and over in my mind. When Kylie stood in the light, I saw her scars. Numerous cuts, each about three centimetres long, all the way up her forearms.

There were different types of pain. Thali says Cade and Kylie’s dad is a creep. What made his daughter carve despair into her skin? I finish my essay by saying there are different kinds of drought. It isn’t just a lack of water. You can have a drought of love and you can have a drought of hope. All types can destroy you.

‘Melinda, are you coming? Your dinner’s getting cold.’

‘Just a minute!’ I print off the assignment and zip back to my room to shove it in my bag. I don’t want to forget to take it tomorrow.

That’s strange. My backpack seems much lighter than it did this morning. I was too preoccupied with Mrs Connor and Kylie to notice before. My stomach plays leapfrog as I rummage through its contents. The new pupa is safe on my desk, but I can’t find …

Please, no.

I tip the backpack upside down, dump everything on my desk and rake through the contents. I look again and again and again. All strength leaves my legs and I sag into my chair.

Rory’s journal is missing.

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