Don't Let Go

Chapter 1

I slammed my door shut as tears were already streaming down my face. I didn't know how much longer I could put up with my family. They don't understand me at all and they're taking me to a counselor. I've been to the counselor a couple times, but it doesn't help. I hate talking to people that I don't know, especially about my problems.

I moved over to my bed and picked up my laptop. I didn't exactly know what I was going to look up. Right when I was about to go on YouTube my dad opened my door and took my laptop and my phone. At least he didn't hit me this time.

I was wrong.

He came back in my room and hit me really hard on my back and kicked me a couple of times and then left. This was a normal thing.

Today was the day I realized that I couldn't keep staying here anymore. I didn't know where to go because all of my friends recently turned on me and I had no one.

I sat down on my floor and wrote a note for my parents. I thought that they would need at least some explanation.

Dear mom and dad,
I'm leaving because I can't keep living with you like this. I need to leave. I didn't want to do this but I don't think it's a choice anymore. Goodbye.

I was going to say more than that but I didn't know what else to write. I finished off the letter by writing my signature,

Catherine Shay

Now that the note was done I didn't know what to do. I remembered that I had a stash of money hidden inside of my mattress from my birthdays and holidays. I took out the money and counted it. $476 - I had enough for a plane ticket.

I decided to go to Phoenix, Arizona because it was far enough away from this town.

I started to pack my bag. I already had some of it packed from previous attempts of running away. I never actually got the courage to do it until now. I couldn't take the verbal and physical abuse anymore.

I grabbed my hairbrush, my toothbrush, shorts, pants, shirts. I didn't have a lot of clothes packed but I thought that would be enough for now.

I went online and bought a plane ticket. I still had extra money left so I could buy food when I get to Phoenix.

My flight leaves tomorrow at 5:20 AM. I could sneak out of the house by then.

I set my alarm for 4 AM so I would get up in time to get on my flight. I was terrified that I was going to miss it.

Before I fell asleep that night I was kind of scared about what I was going to do. This was the only life I've ever known and leaving it seemed really hard even though it wasn't safe for me anymore.

I knew that I had to do this. I had to stay safe.