Taking a deep breath, AJ knocked on the door to his mother's room. When the only response he got was a groan, a cough, and then a snore, he resorted to plan B. Surprisingly, he wasn't angry. He wasn't even irritated. In fact, he was more than a little worried. Candy- his mom, had been staying out later and later, but she was slowly starting to at least come home at all. Abby had been taken in by another 'relative' not too long ago, so it had given the two of them breathing room. But where Candy had taken it as an opportunity to live again, it gave AJ time to realize that it just wasn't going to work. Little sister or not.
It was time for him to leave.
- Candy Mom.
I know you're gonna wake up and be hungry, so there's some roast beef from Unca in the fridge. I threw away the old miracle whip, so it's a new jar in there.
Please don't worry about me, mom. I know you did your best. Unca did too. I don't blame you. I'm sorry I've hurt you, and I don't think I can ever apologize completely.
I don't want you to look for me. I'm not telling anyone else where I'm going, but I'll be safe. I'll come back. Maybe once i stop hurting everyone. But, mom, that's going to be hard. I like doing it. But I want to stop. So I need to help myself.
I love you, mommy, and I need you to know that. I love you forever.
Please find someone who loves you, too.
- -Forever your son, AJ
The note was left, unfolded, on top of the dining table. Already, his backpack was filled with the things he needed. The things he still wanted to take. Leaving behind his computer, his consoles, and even some clothes still. Mistur Fluffers was wrapped in his favorite blanket, and carefully strapped to his pack. The only thing he wanted to take as a memory.
Change was going to happen, and it was only going to happen with a lot of hard work on his part. There was, of course, a chance that he would fail. But it could only ever work if he got started at all.
