Do You Believe In Fairy Tales?

4. Post Dinner Departure

In a haste, I grabbed my backpack from the ground and pushed everything I thought suitable in it. I loaned Margarette's laptop and searched for tips and maps on the way, copying them in my notebook. For some reason, I also snatched my drawing from my bed, folding it and putting it away in a separate compartment. I closed the door to prevent Pascal from leaving my room and changed into jeans and a hoodie. And then, I waited.

The numbers on the clock changed continuously as I waited for the night to fall. I was a nervous wreck. My legs were wobbling on their own accord, my heart was beating rapidly and my hands were strangling the backpack in a death grip. I'd turned the light off so nobody would come in and catch me on the act. All the while, Mrs. Gothel's words rang in my ears. 'Mother knows best' What if she was right? No doubt, there were dangerous people out there but she must be exaggerating, right? I shook my head in defiance. I was not going to chicken out.

When the clock hit midnight, I stood up, flinching when the worn bed creaked. I grabbed Pascal's leach, trying to guide her out of my room. Together, we treaded down the stairs and to the front door.

The darkness and silence in the house made the hairs on my arms stand up but I realised these were my only accomplices in the outbreak and continued down the corridor.

The front door opened without a sound and I pushed Pascal through before me, closing it smoothly. Euphoria filled me to the brim for getting so far until I turned around and was reminded of the colossal fence surrounding the property.

I sighed and searched for the hole I knew was somewhere near. A few months ago, Pascal had escaped. He had dug a hole and it hadn't been filled up yet. They'd just filled it with bricks. Once I spotted the pile of bricks I hauled them from the pit, placing a dog treat on the other side of the fence. Pascal climbed under it greedily.

Since it was too narrow for me to climb through, I hoisted myself up on the fence and climbed until I reached the top. There, I swung my right leg over it while Pascal was observing me in curiosity. My left leg followed soon and I glanced back once before I let myself drop onto the ground.

As soon as my feet touched the ground, I fled through the night. I was running as if for my life and I wouldn't stop anytime soon. The buzzing in my ears sounded wonderful as the wind lifted my hair up in a veil flapping behind me. The wind pushed me from behind in a silent encouragement. Excitement buzzed into my every bone, filling me to the core. I was on my way to freedom. Pascal was panting beside me. The concrete underneath my wrecked tennis shoes turned gradually into earth covered in death leaves and moss. They crunched under my pounding feed and I felt complete.

I imagined my liver was working overtime due to the enormous amount of adrenaline in my system. Everything seemed enhanced, from the birds' chirping in the tree tops above me to the sweet aroma of fresh forest. I realised the darkness taking over but kept running in fear of what would happen if I stopped. It was my first wandering out of the house grounds since Mrs. Gothel adopted me. Her claws couldn't grasp me from such distance.

Sweat was pooling in my neck, my breaths became shallower than they'd ever been and my legs pumped step after step. It felt exhilarating and euphoric, I felt as free as a bird. Never the less, the feeling that she would find me as soon as I stopped, stayed with me. The straps of my backpack cut into my skin uncomfortably. After a while, my body grew tired but I pushed through, only stopping when the sounds of nocturnal animals disturbed the calming song of the wind and fear set in. The adrenaline was gone now and I was left with a heavy anxiety that weighed down my chest. I may have escaped from the beast that was holding me captive but no doubt, there were other beasts lurking around to catch me.

When the remaining beams of sunlight were quenched by the thick foliage, I reached around in my backpack for the flashlight. I made sure to walk in a straight line. A website on the internet had informed me that this was the best way to make sure you don't get lost. In a few hours, when I got tired, I'd settle down somewhere and make a campfire. 'Someone is watching me', I thought as goosebumps arose over my body. I shivered, my eyes wandering along the dark outlines of moss-covered trees. Shivers escaped me as the image of Mrs. Gothel's cold, malicious stare flashed before my eyes. Subconsciously, my steps accelerated. Legally, she couldn't do me any harm but I'm sure she'd find a way through the system. Wrapping my arms around myself, I treaded on, in quest to find an appropriate berth.