Tie. Tie. Tie

Chapter 13

April 3, 2021

Put me on a plane and let me fly. My wings have been cut off and if riding a plane for six-year through different parts of my mind made me grow them back, then so be it. This plane ride has been the longest one I ever took, but not one part did I regret it. My ticket to the plane had been something that tested me, but it's a test that I wrote.

I finish putting my hair in a braid and toss it behind me. People will come into my life thinking my hair is for them to pull, but that made me even more determined to grow my hair out and show them what they can't have. My hair grows every day along with my self-esteem.

The time on my phone reads 3:04 am. Six years ago, I would've felt sick if I was running aw- chasing my freedom, but now, I know it's for the best. My parents, I don't know how they would feel. Probably sad and angered. Maybe even confused, but not happy. These past few years have been hectic, and slowly, I've been getting to know myself. For me, that is more than I can ask for. I'll start understanding others when the time comes.

I pick up my backpack and suitcase before turning to look at my room. Goodbyes used to be hard for me, but now they couldn't be easier. I look towards my mirror and touch my pendant. As my hand touched the now warm sign, a wave rippled through me. Starting from my hand that touched the pendant going around my body until my mind cleared up.

My eyes closed, taking in the pleasure of touching something so powerful. This pendant has given me the strength I didn't know I had. My dad's face appeared behind my closed eyelids. The man who had given me this and told me that I was strong. His heroic features were outlined by the light. His face couldn't look any smoother for his age.

"I'm going to miss you dad, but you failed to raise your son. But you weren't the only one who failed," I recited the words that I wrote in my letter. My words came out in a hush to the empty room, but walls don't have ears, or I wouldn't be in this place.

I check the list in my hand and then place the letter on my bed. Leaving just a letter would've been cliche and not enough. I sneak into Issac's room and take his toy before tiptoeing back into my room. I take the piece of trash and wrap the letter around it before securing it with some tape.

Setting it on my bed, I take my bags and exit my room. I close the door behind me and pick up my suitcase before going down the stairs. My heart jumped as I set my suitcase down because I know that I can mick what would have happened if I stayed here. I would've had to stay captured and smile throughout the day like I did yesterday. Or the day before that and the day before that. My heart jumped knowing my dad would've teared up, thinking his daughter was growing up, But he would've never found out that his princess had been forced to quiet her voice.

At least my job has been able to see through me and give me a bigger chance. To reach out and help those kids who have also been just like me or some who sadly had to go through worse. I will bring out the voices of those kids who got muted. By their neighbour, friend, or family member.

I won't be working at a bigger place, but the connections will be bigger. More chances for justice and closer bonds with the kids. I will be able to score a full-time job there or somewhere nearby, but still focusing on what's important. Putting the devil's back where they belong.

Something vibrates in my hand and I look down to see my phone displaying a text from Quinn. I'm here, you ready? Born ready, Quinn. I type back, yes, and open the door. I close the door behind me, not softly nor slamming it. Issac was right, lions don't roar after a kill. But lions don't leave like cowards, either.

I see Quinn's Chevy Camaro and walk towards it. Quinn got this car as an early nineteenth birthday present from her folks since she won't be back for her birthday. Quinn goes to the Queen's University of Charlotte in North Carolina. The drive from here is around four and a half hours. There's going to be some traffic since it's a Saturday morning, even though it's raining.

I let the refreshing raincoat me and my thoughts as I walk. My suitcase rolls on the cement of my driveway, getting silenced by the rain. This house won't always be mine, but I don't want it to. Things are permanent, people are. That's why I couldn't not tell Quinn.

"Hey, birthday girl!" Quinn cheers as I slide into the passenger seat. The smell of air freshener with some faint caramel makes its presence known.

"Hey, Quinny," I smile back. I started calling her Quinny when she annoys me now. I used to call her QuQu when I was little but I thought it was time for some new nickname. Quinn can sometimes be a bit annoying, like how she took up the whole trunk with her bags, making me put my stuff in the back seat. This girl and her clothes, let's just hope our room isn't like this.

"Cute outfit!" I look down at my black hoodie and leggings before scowling at her.

"Haha, very funny, Quinny," I mock back, sticking my tongue out.

"Keep sticking your tongue out and it'll get longer," she tries to tease.

"That doesn't even make any sense," I exclaim. She shrugs her shoulders and smiles.

"Got everything you need?" she asks, starting the car. I hum in response and snuggle into her warm car seats, soaking in the outside details through the rain-filled window.

Quinn turns on the radio and hums along with the music. I know I won't fall asleep so I look at the raindrops. The raindrops race down the window, making me go back to when I was seven. Imagining that every drop that lands on my window races, to reach the end before they disappear. I didn't remember who used to win, just focus on the new ones.

My story won't be like theirs, gone after winning. I will stay in everyone's mind once I finish. My story doesn't end here, but this chapter does.