The Great Escape (Book One)

Chapter Five

            “You no good, dirty rotten, bitch! Get your fucking ass back here, now!” The booming voice of my father echoed as I ran. “I will find you!” he yelled. “I will kill you!” I ran faster, the screams piercing through my ears. My father got to his car and started to drive after me. The car swerved across the road as the alcohol inside of him started to take its toll. “You can't run forever, bitch!” He screamed out the window. The car sped up and got closer to me. My father turned the car and drove straight towards me. The car hit me and I screamed and fell to the ground.

            “Nicole! Nicole!” I felt a hand on me and I jumped. “Nicole!” The hand shook me and I opened my eyes and saw Connor standing above me; Riley and Toby both stood in the doorway. “What happened?” Riley asked as he ran his hands through his hair. “I had a nightmare” I said. “My dad… he hit me with his car… it felt so real… he threatened to kill me…” Connor sat down on my bed and wrapped his arms around me and held me tightly. “It’s okay, he can't find you here. He’s all the way back in Arizona; it’s going to be okay.” Connor said. “Wait… so what happened?” Toby asked, clearly confused. Connor looked at me and I nodded. “When she was six, Nicole found her mother dead on the floor of their kitchen. Her father, a vicious alcoholic, had beaten her to death. After her mother passed, her father took all his anger out on her. She decided she wasn’t going to deal with it anymore so she packed up all she had and put it in her duffle bag and moved here to Florida. The bruises on her face are from the most recent bruises from the other day.”

            “I ran into her on the street yesterday when she was crying and it turns out she had just gotten off of the phone with her father who just she said happened in her dream, threatened to kill her. He threatened to find her and to kill her just like he did to her mother. One of the harder things for her though, was growing up completely alone. Nicole’s brother Anthony is six years older and he moved out when he turned eighteen so from the time she was twelve she had no one at all.” Toby and Riley stared at Connor out of disbelief. “Oh my gosh… I’m so sorry… If I had realized any of this I wouldn’t have said anything at dinner! I’m so sorry!” Toby cried. He walked over to the bed and hugged me tightly. “You’re shaking a lot… Are you okay?” Toby asked. I shook my head and Toby gave me another hug. “I’m really sorry…” He said again. “It’s okay” I told him. “You didn’t know any better.”

            “Are you going to be okay until morning?” Connor asked. “Do you need one of us to sleep on the floor with you?” Riley asked. “I should be okay…” I said. “I’m going back to bed then” Riley said. “Goodnight.” Connor rolled his eyes and Riley walked away. “I’m going to go back to sleep too” Toby said. “Sleep tight.” He gave me another hug and walked back across the hall. “Are you sure you’re going to be okay?” Connor asked. “What time is it?” I asked. “3:45am.” Connor said. “I should be fine then… There’s only a few hours until morning comes.” I said. “Alright.” Connor said. He hugged me tightly and kissed my head. “Just holler if you need anything. Goodnight, Nicole.” Connor said. “Goodnight, Connor.” I said. Connor stood up and left the room, shutting the door behind him. I turned off the bedside lamp and then laid back down and attempted to go back to sleep.

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            “Morning, sunshine.” Connor said as I came down the stairs later that morning. “Morning.” I said smiling. “What’s on the agenda for today, boys?” Joan asked, placing a plate in front of me. “We’re not sure yet” Connor said. “The guys are coming over later, but before then I don’t know.” “What plans do you have for tonight?” Joan asked. “We’ll probably just watch movies and eat pizza.” Connor told her. “Sounds good. Your father and I won't be home until really late tonight and we won't be home all day so just call one of us if you need anything.” Joan said. She set a plate down on the table that was piled high with pancakes and waffles. “We’re taking your father’s car so if you need to you can use mine. I’ll leave the keys on the counter by the door.” Joan brought out a pan and another plate full of eggs and bacon and set them on the table. “Behave and watch Toby, don’t stay out all day and be sure to take the dogs for a walk after you eat. I love you.”