The sun was beginning to set. It was colder than usual. I keep running, not able to look back at my house, my family. My once perfect little family.

Every year, around Christmas, we would bake cookies together. Friday nights were family nights. We would order pizza or take out, and sit in the living room playing games or watching movies. But this had been going on for three months. And me and my family were completely clueless.

I thought about where I could go. Maybe to a diner, someplace open for twenty-four hours. It was late, and I was starting to get hungry from skipping dinner. I reach into my sweatshirt pocket and touch the cool glass on my phone. Maybe I could call my aunt who lives about forty-five minutes away. But, if I told her that I had run away, she'd just take me home.

I decided to walk over to Sally's Diner, a local diner in the city. The neon lights filled my view, with a sign that said "Open Late!" My family and I used to come here all the time when I was younger. But, because of my mother's new job, we couldn't come here as often.

I open the door to the diner, and enter. A warm blast of air hits my face. It brought back good memories. I go over to a booth and sit down. I set my bag down beside me.

A middle aged woman comes over to me, and sets a napkin and silverware on my table. "Hey pumpkin, what would you like?"

"Just water, please." I say softly, as I pull out my wallet from my bag.

"That's it? Are you sure?" She asks, her face puzzled.

"Well, come to think of it, I'll take a burger and some fries."

The waitress smiles and nods. "Coming right up."

I decide to pull out my phone and read those messages Amity had left me. I scrolled to the beginning.

"Hey, Are you okay?"

"Did you tell your mom?"

"What did he say to you?"

"Do you need anything?"

"Dani please answer me!"

"I am just checking in on you."

"I am starting to get worried."

The rest of the messages were just failed attempts to reach me. I type on the screen, "Hey, I'm okay. But I ran away from home, and I need somewhere to stay for the night. Do you mind if I hang out with you?" I hit send.

Almost immediately, Amity texts me back. "Omg! I'm glad that you are okay! And of course you can stay with me. How's your family?"

"I will tell you more when I get there, I promise." I text back. Amity replies with a simple "Okay."

The waitress brings me my food, which is good, because my stomach was beginning to growl. "Here you are, sweet cheeks." The woman offers me a warm smile, but I shudder. My father used to call me sweet cheeks.

I try to return her smile, but it turns in to more of a frown. The woman leaves me alone with my thoughts and my food.

I sigh and close my eyes, and say a soft prayer.

"Dear Lord, Heavenly Father, Please bless this food. Amen."

I take the ketchup and the mustard and drizzle it onto my burger. I place the bun back on top, and pick it up. I take a bite, some ketchup leaking onto my chin. I grab my napkin and wipe it off.

After a couple of bites and some french fries, I was stuffed. It was hard to me to focus on food after the night I have had.

I pull some money out of my wallet, but the waitress rushes over to me. "Oh, no no no. It's on the house." She smiles at me.

"Are you sure? Because I have the money, and I can pay."

"No, dear. It's already taken care of." She smiles.

"Oh, well thank you." I say to her.

"If you ever need anything, you let me know." Her face changes. Her warm smile turns into reassurance.

I nod. I collect my belongings and stand up. I exit the diner.

As I enter out into the cool night, my phone rings in my sweatshirt pocket.

I pull it out, and read the caller ID.

Dad.

"Uh oh." I mumble to myself. I hit answer. "Hello?"

"Daniella Justice, where are you?"

"I am just going to spend the night at Amity's house."

"Without your mother's permission?"

"I mean..."

"Your mother and I were worried sick about you. She's already got so much on her plate."

"And who's fault is that?" I snap, unable to keep my cool any longer.

"Dani, I'm sorry... I really am." His voice is filled with regret.

I sigh. "I know.. I just need to get out of the house for a little while." And with that, I end the call.

I step down onto the road. As I do, I trip. My phone flies out of my hand, and hits the sidewalk, shattering instantly.

"Crap!" I yell as I pick up my phone. It was broken, glass stuck everywhere. It was shattered, almost as shattered as my life.

I sigh, and stick the phone into my pocket.

I take off walking into the night. Anger pulses through out my veins, leading to my heart.

I just wanted to fall asleep, and never wake up. Or wake up and everything be back to normal.

Where my mother isn't depressed, where my father is loyal, and my little sister is perfect and pure.

But, once things are shattered, it's hard to fit them back together perfectly.