-Chapter 3-

-Ty's POV-

After running for another twenty minutes, Ace hot on my tail, I found myself in the smack dab middle of downtown. People buried and bustled past me, bumping into me occasionally and muttering "sorry" over their shoulders.

Like the normal routine back with my father, I shrugged my hoodie over my head, keeping my head down and staring at the ground below me with sudden interest. I could feel Ace's tail slapping against my ankle with continuous thwaps, reassuring me that he was, indeed, following me.

Up ahead, I saw a general store, and my face lit up. I had maybe twenty dollars in my pocket that I had collected while on my travels. I could get a bit of food ; enough to last me a few days, maybe.

Then, I would just have to wing it.

Without thinking, I broke into a jog, my feet carrying me like air. I might not have everything planned out, but I knew what I was doing now.

That was the farthest I've gotten in a long time.

I gently pushed open the door to the local store, the bell ringing loudly to alert my presence. The stoe smelled like freshly baked cookies and bubble gum, giving you a friendly and inviting welcome.

Immediately, everyone on the store crowded around Ace, demanding to know what breed he was and what gender. In the confusion, I was able to slip away, knowing my dog would keep them occupied until I was ready to go.

With my twenty dollars, I was able to buy one water (which I planned to refill), a few bags of chips, healthy snacks upon healthy snacks, and two small cans of dog food, for Ace of course.

I pulled the twenty dollars out of my pocket, balancing it with the other five hundred things I was carrying. Ace ran to my feet out of excitement, almost causing me to trip and drop everything.

The woman behind the desk shot out, catching everything before the fell and placing them gently back in my own hands. I breathe a deep sigh of relief, flashing her a forced and flashed grin.

"Thank you," I mumbled shyly, keeping my head down so she, hopefully, wouldn't be able to see my face.

My attempts, however, seemed to be in vain. She patted my shoulder, smiling brightly at me. "Don't worry about it! I'll ring you right up."

I nodded, quickly hurrying over to the desk,mans shoving the money into the counter, along with my heavy supplies.

"Your dog is certainly popular," she grinned at me, picking up some of my bags of chips. "Everyone loves him!"

I just nodded, praying to God that I could get out of this conversation sooner than later. I couldn't get her catching on to who I am ; I would be so close, and then the police would catch me, and I would be sent to some orphanage, and no one wants to adopt a teenager...

"You know, you look familiar!"

That's it.

The second she out down my last grocery, I grabbed the bag (which she had gotten for me for covience) and bolted. I scooped up my tiny puppy from one of the clingy women, holding him close to my chest and yelling "thank you!" Over my shoulder.

Outside, I let out a deep breath, my chest heaving up and down at an unnaturally quick pace. Ace wiggled in my arms, struggling to reach up and forcefully lick my face. I chuckled, kneeling down on a bench and setting down the food for a few moments.

Ace jumped into my lap, snuggling in and nuzzling my chest. I giggled, scratching behind his ear and leaning over to press a kiss to the top of his head.

"Hey kid." Said a sudden voice, and my eyes darted up, a dark and large shadow over looming my body. It was a big, burly man, his arms crossed and a soft grin on his face.

His features looked comforting, but his body image was the complete opposite. I knew he could crush my frail, skinny and abused body in two seconds flat, so I decided that going along with anything he said was probably my best option at the moment.

"I've got something to show you," he said softly, waving for me to stand up. "Come on, come with me."

I raised a single eyebrow at him, hugging my dog closer to my body.

Something about this seemed weird, but he might have food, or shelter, or even just a bed for me to sleep in.

"I have food." He grinned. "Even candy."

That's what got me.

"Okay," I said softly, raising to my feet and swinging my grocery bag over my shoulder.

(A/N : I'd just like to comment that it is NOT OKAY TO GO WITH STRANGERS. Ty hasn't really had a childhood, and no ones ever been there to tell him not to go with these people or trust them in any way, for that reason, he doesn't understand the danger of going with this man. So yes, he goes with him, BUT ITS STILL VERY BAD SO NEVER DO IT)

-Sky's POV-

"Ugh," I mumbled softly, under my breath. "I can't believe I have to do this stupid thing for mom. Can't she go get her own things..."

My feet dragged across the floor as I walked, arms hanging loose and fingers limp.

That is, until I saw the thing, happening across the street.

A big, burly man was leaning over that boy. The one I had chased off just an hour ago. He was staring up at him, wonder in his eyes as he held his wiggling dog close to his chest.

I tiptoed closer in order to hear the conversations, gripping my book bad a little tighter in my palm.

"I have food," the young man whispered. "And candy."

Oh, no.

The young, sick-looking boy rose to his feet, dog on his track, and began to walk along with the dangerous man.

"NO!" I screamed and shot forward, leaving my leather bag behind in my wake.

-A/N-

Hope you guys enjoyed this! :3