Run Away Home

Just days after they had taken her, Saurah began planning. She decided to go back to the farm. Her heart ached for father and mother; she missed the big barn and her animals. Her goodbye had not been a goodbye at all. She had been torn from her place in the world, and now she would go back. She did not believe her parents had left her, something had happened, and she would find out what.

Saurah knew she was clever; father had told her so; Archimedes had agreed. She would use her wiles and wit now to run away. "There is power in you." Father said. "Be sure to use it for good."

What was more noble than going home? She would face whatever or whomever had taken her parents. She would find where they had gone and do what she could to reunite her family. These were not the thoughts of an average ten-year-old, but Saurah was different; blessed with special gifts.

The orphanage had shown her how sharp-witted she could be. She knew how to read people and trusted very few of them. "Wise beyond years," the headmistress had said, "but not in a good way." They could not understand, would not understand, and so, she would leave. Her captures, as she thought of them, could not grasp something as simple as her name. They kept calling her Sara. She had repeated over and over, very politely, "the correct pronunciation is 'saw-rah' if you please." to no avail.

Reproach followed her at the orphanage. She had tolerated their piety, but no more. She would be in the wind tonight, alone, with only the stars to watch over her and the moon to lead her back home. She hoped Archimedes was still waiting for her. Had her planning taken too long? Saurah waited, wondering.

When all the house was quiet, she crept to the kitchen and packed lightly: trail mix, bread, and a little water. How long would the trip take? She wasn't sure and didn't care now, she must move. She would find what she could to survive. Her first step would be away from the dirty city and back to the clean, fresh air of open fields.

"Where do you think you're going?" Saurah turned and smiled. She knew the voice and was not surprised she had come.

"I'm sorry, dear friend." Saurah sighed. "I must go home. I hope you will remember me." She knelt to greet her friend.

"Perhaps a bit of cheese then, to remember you by?" the intruder inquired.

"Why, Ms. M, of course! How rude of me!" Saurah smiled and broke off a bit of the pungent, spongy chunk she had taken from the frig. "Just a snack before I go." She confessed. "What a treat that you would join me, my darling."

"You are a dear," said the rat "I will miss you terribly. Are you sure you must go, wise one?"

"Oh, Ms. M. I wish you wouldn't call me that!" Saurah blushed. "I don't feel very wise."

"You are wiser than you know, dear one. Even now, a message from far away has come for you, as if you were the royalty of some vast universe. Would you hear it?"

The white rat sat, perched on her hindquarters, waiting. She was a beautiful thing, with matching patches of brown on her ears and a heart-shaped spot below her chin. Saurah had known this creature was exceptional from the moment she caught the maid chasing her in the kitchen. She mused, creatures like Mrs. M were always better friends than most humans. Now she wondered if she could leave without her. Her mind drifted. A message, how had it made the way into the city, and from whom had it come?

Ms. M read her thoughts but waited patiently, for rats are very polite if you allow them to be. Each of them, lost in thought, gazed at one another. Their spirits touched, and Ms. M knew she would soon be doing some traveling. The child had prepared for it, even though she didn’t remember, yet. Saurah's bright curls danced in the moonlight, waving every which way. Milly lost herself in the deep blue ocean of the girls sparkling eyes, a wave of envy washed over her. She had few chances to acquaint herself with humans; most were dastardly with their brooms and screams. This one was different. Milly twitched her nose thinking of them together on the road. The daydream broke apart.

"Ms. M!" Saurah bowed. "I beg your pardon. I would hear the message you have. Pardon me for being a dunderhead and getting lost in my thoughts." She continued. "and, if you would consider it, might you be able to come with me?" She was rattling now. "maybe we could put you in my pack, or you can walk, although I doubt that would work, what shall we do, it is a long way, will you go?" Saurah opened her mouth to continue the flow just as Milly scurried to the corner without so much as a wave.

Saurah turned to find someone peeking in the kitchen window. Her mouth formed an O, and she felt a scream well in her lungs. A single finger moved in the window; it stood across a scraggly beard and a widening grin that fattened the cheeks of the image there. Saurah's scream melted. Mr. Oppenheim was a delightful old fellow. He came by in the evenings to check the doors and inspect for possible intruders. Saurah liked him very much. Another twinge of guilt ran through her; he would worry. But she knew better than to tell anyone. The old man put both palms together, cocked his head, and pretended to sleep. He pointed at Saurah and gave her his most stern look. It made Saurah giggle. Mr. O's severe warning was not at all threatening, but she knew what he was after. He wanted her to go back to sleep.

Quick as a wink, because she really was a wise child, Saurah smiled a sheepish smile and walked to the cabinet. She got a glass from the cabinet and headed for the window where the retired cop was still staring. She held up the glass and turned on the tap, blinking sleepily and faking a yawn. This satisfied him; he nodded and doffed his old cap. She yawned again, this time for real. Satisfied, he checked the door and moved on around the house and back to the street.

Saurah let out a long breath and congratulated herself on deciding to hide her street clothes under her nightgown. Maybe she was smarter than she thought, or maybe Marme was giving her hints in her dreams. She was dreaming more these days and hoped Marme was there; she didn’t always remember.

Ms. M scurried back into view. Her patience gone and all manners used up, she blurted, "Archimedes has sent a message. Wouldn't you like to hear it?"

Saurah snapped herself to attention. 'Yes, quite." She said. "I'm ready to listen, Ms. M; I'm so sorry. Please continue."

The rat waved away her apology and began. “Alright, but first we must agree that you will call me Milly. If we are to be traveling companions you must do this for me.”

Saurah’s upbringing could not allow this. “Oh Ms. M, I cannot. You are like an aunt to me, like family. I would never be so bold. It would be disrespectful.”

“Child.’ Milly chided. “It would be disrespectful for you to deny my request, would you not agree?”

Saurah nodded. ‘Certainly, you are right. I will agree to call you Milly and pledge my loyalty to you as to all my own family. Please give me the message now, won’t you?”

Archimedes knew Saurah would want to come back. He encouraged her to do so and to step lively. He assured her that there would be food and provisions along her way. He cautioned that she must stay out of sight. His final words were the most comfort Saurah had had in weeks. "Mother and Father are fine, dear, do not worry. Marme is helping us; I have no doubt by now you have realized this. We await your arrival in the barn. HURRY!" The last came out so loudly that Ms. M, or Milly if you will, slapped her paw to her muzzle and started to run. Saurah scooped her up quickly and held her gently in both hands. Milly took a shuddering breath; she had never been scooped before. They peered at one another in admiration.

"You will go with me?" Saurah asked. "A pack is stowed in the pantry; I hope it is still there. I have an inkling that I have made something for you to carry as well. Do you have anything to bring?" The rat nodded.

Placing Milly back on the floor, Saurah went to the pantry. The pack was still shoved far back into the closet, and Saurah thanked heaven that it was there. She opened the bag and found a smaller one, just the size for a rat, she was not surprised. She handed the little bundle to Milly who scurried away. A current of wonder ran through Saurah's mind. The universe was helping her and her family? She would find out soon enough how much.

Saurah rid herself of the nightdress and shoved it where the pack had been. She took the trail mix and the water but left the bread to make room for Ms. M., Milly – this name changing was hard. Thinking about it, she wrapped the cheese in paper and shoved that in too. Cheese was not easily found on the road; Milly would appreciate the sustenance. Having realized the abruptness of her last scoop, she vowed to be gentler. She tiptoed over to the hole in the wall. "Ms. M, I mean, Milly," she whispered, "would you like to ride in my pack until we get out of town?" The rat appeared with a bundle fastened to her back. Saurah wondered how she had donned the pack.

"Yes, if you don't mind. I think I would be safer. I've never traveled overland before, only underground." Milly seemed a little nervous.

Saurah graciously stooped and asked, "May I pick you up, ma'am?" the rat relaxed a bit and nodded. "I'm so glad you're going. A traveling companion like you is always welcome." She placed Milly gently in the front pocket of her recently packed bag. She noticed her nose shudder; it had found the cheese. To confirm Milly’s suspicion, she asked. "I've packed the cheese, Milly. I don't think it's stealing as it was meant for orphans to eat. What do you think?"

Milly’s eyes sparkled with tears, her tail curled behind her, she rested her front paws on the edge of the pocket and looked long and deep into Saurah's eyes. Such a wise child, such a clever child, such a loving child; may the universe help us both. Without a word, she curled herself into the pack, tears streaming now, and steeled herself for the journey.

Saurah had noticed Milly’s eyes. She felt the emotion of the moment as a tear fell from her own face. But she did not have time for crying, she knew the thoughts racing through both of them. Their spirts had embarked on a journey each of them was bound to follow. She prayed a thank you to the universe as she moved to the back door. They moved through the door together into the night. Somewhere, a male barn owl screeched his beckoning call. “Archimedes?” she purred the response she had learned, “We're coming, we're coming as fast as we can. Please tell your friends to help us.” Further in the distance another screeching owl assured her Archimedes would know they were coming very soon, and he would be ready.