the runaway prompts
blood, violence mention.
“i’m not letting you go anywhere. it’s not safe for you out there.”
“look, i know you’re not the brightest kid on the block, but this isn’t a discussion.”
“can’t just take in every waif or stray that trusts you.”
“i’ve got a tummy ache, that’s all.”
“you’re staying here with me.”
“i heard the nurses talking in the corridor.”
“this kid you’ve taken in…”
“come here for a cuddle.”
“listen, honey. i’ve got to go someplace, okay?”
“how do you think things have been for me? when i haven’t seen you in weeks?”
“no, no. it’s not my blood.”
“if i’m such a risk to have around, if i’m so in the way, such a problem for you…”
“here we are. home now. you’ll be safe here.”
“i keep expecting to hear you’ve been arrested, the police knocking at the door.”
“when are you gonna grow up and take responsibility for yourself?”
“sweetheart, come and sit down.”
“i don’t know what would have possessed me to be so disrespectful.”
“what goes around comes around, darling.”
“i’ll hear your confession now.”
“take this. it will keep you safe.”
“excuse me, who do you think you’re talking to?”
“you need to get back to the cause, show them what a dedicated soldier you are.”
“i could hear someone calling my name.”
“because we’re – i don’t know – we’re you and me.”
“then you have a conscience. we have to search that conscience to find an answer to your dilemma.”
“what on earth’s happened to you?”
“i’m not the same. i’ve changed. i’ve grown.”
“but i couldn’t run anymore. i’d been running all my life.”
“how dare you talk about my child like that?”
“pretty fucked up, i’d say.”
“came here because you matter to me.”
“and i can sleep at night. my conscience is clear.”
“i never had a chance to thank you, for what you did for me.”
“next time you raise your hand, i’m fighting you back.”
“it was not a comfortable meeting between us.”
“bring an overnight bag, that’s all.”
“now look away for a minute, my darling.”
“this place needs grown-ups.”
“i have a chance at happiness. i have to take it.”
“some of us don’t regard other people as possessions.”
“because you’re the only person that i really care about.”
“you’re acting like a spoiled brat.”
“wherever i’ve been, you’ve always been there.”
“what’s the matter? everything’s the matter.”
“bang, bang. you’re dead.”
“this world’s gone to hell in a handbag.”
“don’t you dare leave. not again.”
