Safe Haven

Chapter 1

March 14, 5:29 p.m.

My breathing was rapid. I knew that in this chaos of silence, even my heart beat was audible. I was curled up into a small corner in the house, trying to be as quiet as I could to keep him from hearing me. My eyes closed tightly as I brought my knees up, wrapping my arms around them securely. In a matter of seconds I felt a tear escape my eye and roll down my cheek dramatically.

I heard the loud thumps of his footsteps near. The heels of his black-leathered boots got louder the closer he got.

"Amanda, why are you hiding?" His voice was serious and deceiving, with confidence about finding me. "You know you can't hide."

My hand had a mind of it's own as it quickly shot up to cover my mouth, afraid that I would accidentally sob or breathe too hard.

His footsteps got louder. I knew he was coming just around the corner, and I found it as the perfect time to run towards the door and escape.

The adrenaline rush was powerful, suddenly getting the courage to run. I saw his face one last time, hopefully for that would be the last time. I rushed out of the door before he could get me.

I knew that it wasn't the smartest idea to run, knowing that he had a car. But that's why I took his key. "Amanda! Get back here!" I looked back one more time to see him on the driveway, looking as angry and confused as ever. He didn't try to run after me, no. He thought he could use his car, that's why he ran inside, thinking he'd find his keys last where he left them.

I ran towards a different direction, taking advantage of him and finally escaping. After a while of running down the empty road to the fullest of my ability, I started to slow down. I know he can't catch me now. I have always been faster than him, and to make it even more uneven, his left leg has a bandaged, yet severe cut in the healing process. He shouldn't be able to run.

I walked down the road tiredly for 15 minutes or so, in till I reached the closest transportation terminal. I walked up to the desk, immediately eager to buy tickets. "Where do you recommend me to go to get far away from here?" I sounded commanding and humorous, but that was the last thing I was aiming for.

The lady quickly curved her lips, finding this as a joke. "Excuse me?"

"Somewhere this bus can take me- Please just help me out." To her eyes, I knew I looked tired and desperate, that's because I was. It was almost as if I was homeless.

Her smile faded as she looked into my eyes sympathetically, knowing that I was being serious before she snapped her head towards her computer and narrowed her eyes on it. "Maybe Atlanta, Hampton, Savanna-"

"Hampton. Where's that?" I was most anxious to get away from here. I'd be happy to find a place where he wouldn't think of searching. A place far from Jacksonville, Florida.

"It's in North Carolina."

I didn't hesitate to answer. I grabbed the cash in my back pocket that I took from Ryan at last minute, and slammed a couple hundred dollars on the counter willingly.

She stared at it in disbelief before she grabbed it, counting it carefully, then shaking her head. "It's only $150; You're over by 200." She handed me the 200 back before accepting the rest and getting me a ticket.

"ID?" I took it out of my bag and showed it to her. "Thank you."

She handed me a ticket in no-time and did something unexpected. She handed me my $150 back. "Good luck." Her face was filled with sadness and sympathy for me, as a hopeful smile played on her lips. It was almost as if she felt bad for me, even though she didn't know my situation.

I was stunned by her actions, but very grateful. "Thank you." My smile wasn't able to express how appreciative I was.

She smiled back at me before I went over to sit down at the waiting area for the bus to arrive. 20 minutes had gone by and I was already sitting down on the uncomfortable bus seat, not even thinking about what I was going to do next or even how I was going to start a new life.

I looked out the window as hours passed by and we drove by new surroundings that I've never seen before. Then I realized what I was doing. I was finally getting away. Finally leaving the dark hole I was involved in with my husband. As strange as it sounded, I was 19 and married- not like I planned it. Ryan basically forced me, trapping me for 5 months.

As we passed by trees and forests, I paid close attention to the signs indicating new states. My stomach filled with butterflies when we finally reached Georgia, finally happy about this decision. I was positive that there was absolutely no way he could of tracked me down.

A couple more hours passed by until the bus had completely stopped, signaling us to depart.

As I walked down the steps of the bus, I looked out to the beautiful view of the place I plan to make a new start at. The sun was shining brighter than I've ever seen it, and I couldn't help but to turn the other way.

My eyes ran into a sign that read, 'Hampton, North carolina' and that's when I knew that I was finally here and far, far away from him.

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A/N: First chapter! Woot, woot!

Note that this story is told in a time frame, so please pay attention to the days and stuff, it can be useful :) Also, these chapters will be a bit short, in case you're wondering. Just because I have another story to take care of as well :P Anyways, tell me what you think so far! xx