I struggled to keep my eyes open as we travelled down the freeway. We’d been driving for at least three hours and I was absolutely exhausted. Who would have known that sitting down all day could be so tiring? I clutched my rucksack to my chest and sighed, allowing my head to flop forwards onto it. I desperately wanted to go to sleep, but I just didn’t feel comfortable.
The woman behind the wheel was a complete stranger to me, and I just felt too nervous to allow myself to fall asleep next to her. I had never hitch-hiked before, and I was feeling completely out of my depth. But that day, I just felt like I had no choice. I’d had enough of my life at home, and just needed to get away. Me and my stepdad just weren’t getting along, and lately his attitude towards me had worsened. I was eight
