Home

Gone

Water droplets flowed down my hands and through my hair. I pressed my forehead to the battered tile I'd grow to hate. It's odd coloring a ghost of its past.
I heard a racket outside the door and my breath quickened in fear and I looked to the knob and saw it move a little.
Today was the day my birthday. Today was the day he could do what he liked and the chance that he won in court if found out would increase. Today's the day that the small bruises would become larger and the small touches behind closed doors would become more.
The shaking on the door increased until I heard a car door close and immediately the door knob stopped moving and the slight sounds of feet walking away could be heard over the water still burning into my skin. I let out a large breath of relief. I was safe for now. I quickly finished my shower and dressed before walking out the door I was so fearful of before.
I walked quietly past the kitchen where I could see my savior talking to the monster I feared. without stopping I walked to the place I called mine and quickly packed all my necessities into a black gym bag.
As I was zipping it up I paused and walked over to the dresser picking up a picture of the savior and the monster her blue eyes sparkling and brown hair pulled back into a loose bun his eyes and hair as dark as the things he dreamed of doing to me. Flipping it over I undid the frame and pulled another picture out this one holding four people the two who I'd lost and the one who'd lost me my mother father and twin sister. Setting the frame down I grabbed the small jar next to it painted like the sunset that held my savings.
I quickly tossed both in the bag and threw it over my shoulder before opening my window and maneuvering over the rose bush outside of the window to the ground I pulled the window back down and walked around the house to the bikes I unlocked mine and petaled as quickly as i could. I didn't stop or look back not when I heard his voice calling. Not even when I heard her calling me back.

"Serene, come back."

No, I thought I can't stay here anymore I'm going somewhere where I'm not terrified or alone I'm gonna go somewhere I can call home.