My personal story: I ran away from home when I was a teenager. My father was an abusive alcoholic and my mother was a crazy narcissist that encouraged abuse. To be honest, I ran away because there was no way out of the hell. When possible I lived with friends. Other times I lived in the woods of Sherwood trails. From time to time my family would find me and make me go back home. The same thing happened - my father beat me while my mother watched. Finally, I got smarter and ran away for good!
@Touche : WOW! Sorry that happened to you. I hope this is not the reason Austin has run away. It could be but there are lots of other reasons. I think it will be found out with the police involvement. Surely he will tell why he ran away when he is found.