The wind was howling as the girl stood debating whether or not she should make a run for it. After what seemed like an eternity she made her choice. She rushed to pack the essentials that she would need to survive until she made a new home for herself somewhere, far away from the place she once called home.
Deciding she had enough to last her a while, she made her way over to her window where she would make her escape. Moonlight lit the room as the breeze pushed aside the curtains that had been blocking out the light. For a moment she paused to look at the curtains. She thought about when she had been at the store to pick them out, and remembered begging her parents. She felt her heart ache with pain but continued on with her original mission.
With her heart pounding against her chest and one last look around the place she had spent most days for the last sixteen years, she carefully made her way out the her window.
While most kids her age were sleeping in preparation for school in the coming hours she was climbing down a tree. The second part of her escape route was the large oak tree that had been planted long ago, as parts of it had grown conveniently next to her window and had aided in her plan to leave.
As she neared the trunk, she froze as headlights could be seen on the side of the house. If she were to be caught she would have no time to get away and would never have this opportunity again. She pressed herself against the tree, and held her breathe in hopes that the car would pass with no problem.
Time seemed to slow as she waited, wanting the car to disappear into the dimly lit path away from her. She was not willing to risk being seen by anyone, even a stranger who would have no business asking her what she was doing this late at night.
Once the car lights could no longer be seen amongst the darkness,she crept away from the tree. A single tear slipped down her cheek as she took one last look at the house which had once been her home. How had something so lovely turned so tragic in such small amount of time? She could not remember the last time this place felt safe.
She turned away not wanting to waste another moment reminiscing in a fantasy she could not bring back, no matter what. She had already spent so much of her time and energy trying. She paced herself as she traveled, wanting to make it as far as she could without exhausting herself.
By the time the sun began to peak over the tops of houses she had made it to the neighboring town. Her stomach began to growl and she walked over to an empty storefront, using the glass as a mirror. She looked at her reflection and put her hair into a bun, fixed up the bag to make it look more as though she was on a planned trip and not running away, and took another look.
She now looked like someone who was just passing by as a traveler just as she had hoped. She wanted to be able to stop in cafe's and shop's if needed without any suspicion and the girl believed nobody would try and question her.
Spotting a small cafe on the corner, she decided that would be her first stop. Having saved up money for a long time, she knew as long as she spent responsibly she would be alright until she reached her destination and found a new job.
A wave of guilt washed over her as she thought of her boss and how upset she would be finding the note she had left, but knew she would also be proud of her for taking action. Plus, she promised to call as soon as she was able too without any risks.
She silently scolded herself, needing to focus on her future and what was happening in the moment. There was no time to daydream or fantasize the "could have been" in her old town.
As she took a step into the cafe, you could hear the classic "ding" of a bell ringing above the door to alert any staff member that a customer had arrived. She smiled to herself as she could feel herself already falling in love with the place. She could picture herself working here, a small-town business, quiet and calm.
