Escaped
Reluctant to get out of bed and start the day, Riya snuggled under the covers. Nothing should make her mother suspicious until at least the school hours were over. Riya rushed for the school bus so that she didn’t have to answer her mother’s question about not wearing the school uniform. Leaving her bag behind in the bus, she looked for the opportunity to walk out of the school gates. At this time of the day there were always students running late and trying to enter before the gates were closed. Not wearing a uniform helped her to remain anonymous. Walking away Riya realized that she hadn’t given much thought to details as she had been too preoccupied with making a safe exit. Avoiding attention she boarded the first bus that came her way. It would terminate at the railway station and by default seemed a good choice. It would be easier to disappear in the busy station and decide her next move. The station was a constant flux of humanity. If she stood arou...