Chains & Butterflies

Chapter 4: Self-determination & A Ticket to Freedom!

"Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes." --- Mahatma Gandhi

As we ventured on to the main road I knew this was going to be our last ride together. I can't exactly bring her to city with me as she would be a dead giveaway to where I am, plus there is no way I can support her on my own.

My plan was to leave her on the side of the road closer to my house and hitch-hiking my way to the city. Emily would "discover" a horse missing at the stable after my mother was notified about my lock in. Of course this was to be revealed two hours after I left.

Checking my watch I realized only twenty minutes had passed by. Meaning I had about an hour and forty-five minutes to execute plan M. We started to slow down and pulled Isabel to a halt when the last pair of trees covered us from the clearing. Reluctantly, I got off Isabel for my dreaded long walk. Her rope was placed around my hands, as I guided her to a nice patch of grass by the road. I gently gave her a pat and sighed. God I am going to miss you.

"Take care girl. Don't worry there will be someone coming to get you soon." I took off my backpack, and proceeded to take out the mixture of horse food Emily had packed. Placing it down on the ground, Isabel came rushing over in no time and started chomping down, satisfied that she gotten what she wanted. "Well I'm off to see the world, Goodbye my love." Isabel picked up her head as to say "yea whatever" and continued to eat her food. It became silent after a while now that Isabel was no longer there.

God, it's warm to day. What I would give right now to be at the beach. Yea, I can feel it. I can just picture it, the perfect summer day. Living in my own apartment, having noisy neighbors to complain about when I am out drinking with a couple of friends; the worry if the cute guy down the hall is interested in me. I could also start working at a job I actually like. Well if anyone asks about my family, I'll just tell them both of my parents passed away when I was young. I have no siblings and have been self-supporting since I graduate from high school. It would be a great excuse for people who try to dig too deep into my past.

I continued to walk down the road for what seemed like twenty-five minutes up until I heard a noise, which sounded like a car engine coming closer and closer to me. I was about flag it down but hesitated, when I recognized the white BMW.

Lowering my hand I thought, this is not good and flung myself toward the tall grass line laying still. Hearing the car come to a halt I saw the window on the front passenger side come down. I silently prayed they wouldn't find me. An annoyed voice emerged from the vehicle. "Mary there is no one here."

"Steven, I swear I saw someone here just a few seconds ago." His partnered wined. "You saw it too didn't you Logan?"

"No," responded someone from the backseat. "Well if you'd get off of that cellphone. You could have seen the person I just saw." She nagged.

"Mary I think you need to get your eyes checked, because I don't see anyone." He said irritated.

"I'll get out and check, just to make sure." She said casually. I heard a deep sigh from the back of the car, "Dad."

"Fine, I'll do it. Wait a second, don't you just think for one second women. For all we know it can be a car thief, or a serial killer."

'It's true mom."

"But Steven--" she protested

"No, but's. Now if you stop being stupid for once in your life and think about-" Steven's voice was cut off as car zoomed by. "-I don't want to be late for my own niece's engagement party. We're leaving."

"Fine, but I swear I saw someone." she sounded sure of herself.

The window shut a few seconds later and the car left. Relief washed over me as I slowly sat up to see my Uncle's car fade away. So, I realized maybe I shouldn't stay on this side of the road crossing over and threw myself on the ground once again as a few more cars passed by. I forgot people are going to start to arrive soon. So they will be able to recognized me if I'm not hiding my face.