The Runaway and the Outsider

Chapter 7

Victoria looked around Eliott's apartment, a small fraction of sunlight entering through the closed window blinds giving the whole place an orange hue. It wasn't long before Eliott opened the blinds, instantly lighting up the whole room.

Victoria examined the room like the girl she was earlier. Never has she seen an apartment so different from the once she lived in. The whole room seemed to have this tacky feel to it. What's more is that Victoria noticed that there wasn't a living soul inside.

"You live here alone?" she asked.

"No, I live with my brothers. They're out right now, working their shifts at the diner. They have to if we still want a roof above our heads" Eliott chuckled. "Well, this here is my place. I know it ain't much... but it's home I guess."

Victoria explored the living room a bit, trying to recognize which is which, but somehow, she found it amusing that this place just felt so different from the elegant streets and interiors she's seen so far.

"This place... it's so... different. "

"What do you mean?"

"Well, for one thing... this apartment seems very out of date."

Eliott Somehow expected a comment like the one he had just heard, yet still found himself surprised and embarrassed. He was quick to remind himself however that she's never been outside before so there's a lot of things she probably doesn't know.

Victoria noticed Eliott's stare and it quickly gave her the idea that she had offended him in some way.

"I'm sorry, that sounded rude."

"No it's okay. You've never seen what it's like out here so I guess I can understand that part."

"I appreciate your understanding." Victoria smiled, continuing her minds pursuit for the satisfaction of her curious mind. It's not everyday she gets to explore a stranger's house... So she plans to make every second of her well deserved freedom count. Her thoughts would drift back to her home however, and how she is free of that prison at least for today. The thought of being somewhere else instead of the dull as dirt apartment she's lived on for 18 years. It all seemed surreal to her. The feeling of being outside just felt so refreshing, reinvigorating for the mind. It was wonderful, if only Amelia could see her now.

Victoria's thoughts were flushed out of her mind when she thought of Amelia. How she ran away from her earlier. It's not like she wanted to do that. If she'd only understand her, perhaps things would turn out so differently.

"Okay listen, so here's the plan..." Eliott said, causing Victoria to turn to him. "My brothers don't know I let a girl inside and I don't plan on letting them know so you'll be sleeping in my room and under no circumstances are you allowed to get out."

"Wait what? why?"

"Uhm, because they're not supposed to see you?"

Victoria chuckled at the young man in front of him, being locked away for 18 years, there is no way she is agreeing to his conditions.

"Mr. Eliott, if I wanted to be locked away inside a room again, I'd just go back to my apartment."

"Well you can't just show up."

"and why is that?"

"What? Am I just supposed to tell them that I bought a girl home whom I just saved from this weird lady and now she wants to sleep here?"

"Maybe? What's wrong with that?"

"I don't know? You're a girl, don't you think that's weird?"

"No? Why would that be weird? You're not scared of girls are you?"