'RUNAWAYS' IS A DOCUMENTED FICTION FILM. KATHY RUNS AWAY FROM HOME FOLLOWING A VIOLENT FAMILY ARGUMENT. AFTER A COLD NIGHT WANDERING THE STREETS, SHE MEETS AND JOINS UP WITH DEBBIE, A MORE EXPERIENCED RUNAWAY, WHO TEACHES HER HOW TO SURVIVE ON THE RUN. KATHY'S NAIVETE LEADS HER INTO A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. DEBBIE TAKES KATHY TO A RUNAWAY HOUSE WHERE THE STAFF COUNSELOR OFFERS TO CALL THEIR PARENTS. DEBBIE LEARNS HER MOTHER DOES NOT WANT HER TO COME HOME. KATHY TELLS THE COUNSELOR OF HER FEARS OF NOT BEING LOVED OR ACCEPTED BY HER PARENTS, BUT AGREES TO LET HIM CONTACT HER PARENTS AND SET UP A RECONCILIATION. DEBBIE, NOW A 'THROWAWAY', RETURNS TO THE STREETS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)...PLO