PROLOGUE
Head down, eyes looking at my feet unsteadily picking a path among countless unknown.
No one takes notice of me, remnants of my life in a black bin-bag.
Boarding a train to somewhere, anywhere, away!
Sitting in a corner, inconspicuous, I hope.
Heart beating, almost strangling me with intensity.
Nearly done. Years of abuse. ENOUGH!
Away, Finally.
Please God, let it be alright.
Picking up speed, he can't come after me now.
I hope, I wish, I tell myself.
I relax, heartbeat slows, I close my eyes with relief.
Door opens, it's him, it must be, how?
I daren't look up, can't breathe.
What do I do? Become invisible? Run? Hide? Where? How?
Ticket please! I gasp. It's not him. I'm still alive!
Shaking, clammy, hot, cold, afraid but alive.
So tired, so, so tired, all these years,finally!
Sitting in my corner, but still running;
My mind, body, soul running from him.
Hours pass, alone, did I do right? Should I have left?
Doubts, Hopes, Fears, Dreams.
Train stops, I wait for it to empty, getting off.
Where?
A woman walks toward me. Smiling; Gives her name, shakes my hand.
How did she know it was me?
They all come with a black sack, she says.
We walk to the refuge in a strange town, a stranger among strangers.
Head up, eyes forward,
Running away, new start, running toward me.