Finding Home

Prologue

Beer cans scattered the floor. The air was tainted with the stale smell of the cigarettes from the night before. Dirt and broken glass were in bedded into the snagged carpet. This was no place to call home. The thermostat was set at eighty degrees but that did not cure the bitter cold for there was no electricity. This place was a prison, pure hell for those who lived there, except one.

The monster who called this place home was passed out drunk on the torn up couch. His snores echoed through the tiny house. His face was unshaven and filthy, just as the rest of him. He laid there with only a pair of torn up wranglers on and a bottle in hand.

Down the hall two small children hid. A young boy no more than nine and his little sister. He knew he had to save her from this hell. The monster attacked her once again last night, raping her. He tried to stop it but being the scrawny little boy he was he only got beaten inreturn.

He peeked out the door way and saw him still asleep and made his move. As quickly as he could he gathered clothes for them and a couple precious items and threw them into his backpack. As he gathered their belongings he thought of the most important items, food and money. He tip toed to the kitchen and grabbed what he could find that wasn't spoiled or molded and returned to their room. Then went for the prize. The man's wallet.

He gulped down his fears and crept to the man. He had to get the money, not just for him but for his sister. Watching the man's face he slowly slid his hand into his pocket and grabbed the walet. A smile spread a crossed his face when he reached it, but that was just the easy part. Cautiously he pulled it out. The man groaned startling the young boy but he continued until it was free. He instantly ran back to his room and closed the door.

Success. He thought as he opened up the wallet and saw the money piled in it. He smiled and shoved the wallet into his pocket and grabbed the few bags he packed and threw them out the window. He looked over at his sister who was still asleep and woke her. He explained his plan and he picked her up and carried her outside. She was too sore to move. She was too young to understand but she trusted him and only him and did what he said.

He placed her in their wagon and piled the bags he packed in with her. He looked back at the old house then to his sister and smiled. With determination in his eyes he took off down the road trailing the wagon behind him. He didn't stop until he reached the woods and whispered.

"We're free."