Becky leaned against the closed door after Freen left, her mind whirring with a thousand thoughts. Freen’s words played over and over in her head: “I’m ready.” It wasn’t just a statement. It was a cry for help, a challenge, and a promise all wrapped into one.
Becky wasn’t one to back down from a challenge.
She moved quickly, heading to her room and locking the door behind her. The neatly organized chaos of her desk greeted her: a laptop, notebooks, and a pile of documents she had been collecting for weeks. Freen hadn’t known it, but Becky had been preparing for this moment ever since she first learned about her father. This wasn’t just about sneaking Freen out of the house—it was about ensuring her safety permanently.
---
Step One: The Plan
Over breakfast the next morning, Becky’s mother placed a plate of pancakes in front of her, her soft smile masking her concern. “You look tired, honey. Everything okay?”
“Yeah,” Becky replied, her mind already calculating. Her mother didn’t press but watched her intently.
“Do you need my help with something?”
Becky paused, looking up at her mother. She had always been a safe haven, someone who supported her without asking too many questions. “Actually, Mom… I might.”
Her mother tilted her head curiously.
“I need to get Freen out of her house,” Becky said quietly, leaning in so no one else could hear. “Her father… he’s suffocating her.”
Her mother’s face softened, her brow furrowing with empathy. “Oh, that poor girl. What do you need me to do?”
“Be there when she needs comfort,” Becky said. “And help me make this look as normal as possible. If anyone asks, Freen’s just here to hang out. Nothing suspicious.”
Her mother nodded firmly. “You can count on me.”
---
Step Two: The Network
Becky made her way to the small cafe where Nam, Kate, and Nop were already waiting. Sliding into the seat beside them, she wasted no time diving into the details.
“I need all of you,” Becky began, her voice low but urgent. “This isn’t just about Freen sneaking out for a few hours. This is about getting her out for good.”
Nam leaned forward, her face serious. “What’s the plan?”
“We’ll need distractions. Someone to watch her father and give us a heads-up if he comes home unexpectedly,” Becky explained. “Nam, I need you on that. You’re the most reliable.”
Nam nodded. “Done.”
Kate raised an eyebrow. “And what about us?”
“You two,” Becky said, gesturing between Kate and Nop, “will help move Freen’s things—quietly. She can’t take much, but the essentials. You’ll take them out bit by bit so it doesn’t look suspicious.”
“Got it,” Kate said. Nop gave a thumbs-up, though his expression was nervous.
“Just one thing,” Nop said hesitantly. “What if her father catches on?”
“He won’t,” Becky said firmly, though the edge of tension in her voice betrayed her nerves. “That’s why we have to be fast and smart. No mistakes.”
---
Step Three: The Neighbors
Back in her room, Becky thought about the tight-knit community Freen’s family lived in. Neighbors were always watching, always talking. That was both a risk and an opportunity.
She decided to enlist Mrs. Anya, the kind older woman who lived next door to Freen. Becky visited her that afternoon, bringing a basket of fruit as a peace offering.
“Oh, Becky, what a surprise!” Mrs. Anya exclaimed, welcoming her in.
They chatted for a while before Becky subtly brought up Freen. “She’s been going through a tough time lately. Her father’s so strict, you know?”
Mrs. Anya frowned sympathetically. “Yes, I’ve noticed. Poor girl barely gets out of the house.”
“Well,” Becky said, lowering her voice conspiratorially, “I’m planning to help her. She just needs a little freedom, you know?”
Mrs. Anya nodded, her eyes twinkling with understanding. “If you need anything, let me know. I’ll keep an eye out.”
---
Step Four: Execution
On Monday evening, Becky gathered everyone at her house to finalize the plan. Freen’s father would leave early Tuesday morning, and they’d have a tight window to act before he returned in the evening.
“We start at 9 a.m.,” Becky said, spreading a map of Freen’s neighborhood on the table. “Nam, you’ll stay near her house and text me if you see anyone suspicious. Kate and Nop, you’ll help Freen pack and load her things into the car. My mom will keep her here once she’s out.”
“What about her father?” Nam asked.
“I’ve already arranged for someone to keep him occupied,” Becky said cryptically, not mentioning the small favor she’d called in from her Uncle Jim.
Everyone nodded, the room buzzing with nervous energy.
---
Step Five: The Night Before
Becky couldn’t sleep. As she lay in bed staring at the ceiling, her mind replayed every step of the plan. There were so many variables, so many things that could go wrong.
But then she thought of Freen—her quiet strength, her resilience, her trust in Becky.
Becky sat up, her jaw set with determination. This has to work. It will work.
Tomorrow would mark the beginning of a new chapter for Freen—a chapter where her father’s shadow no longer loomed over her.
And Becky would make damn sure nothing got in the way.
YOU ARE READING
A Gentle Collision
ActionBecky is an 18-year-old introvert whose sharp words cut deeper than her silence. Living with her kind-hearted mother in a modest home supported by their family's restaurant, Becky has little interest in the world beyond her headphones and mobile scr...
