Broken

Her Escape

The world around Jasper Blackheart was cold and lifeless as she tugged on chain that held her in place,she tried to but she couldn't break it off, it was attached to he collar with a large padlock,  and the collar never came off of her.  She was desperate, desperate to leave this hell hole. She hated what her family had done to her, humiliated her and treated her like a common mutt, and the thing she hated the most was the fact that no one beside her little sister would even care to help her,  no law enforcement would help either. That's why she had to leave and go someplace far away, where her parent's couldn't find her.

      Her hand gripped tighter on the chain, wanting to pry it off the doghouse but it didn't budge. Her arms grew sore and kicking  didn't help much either. The only thing she could do now was wait, wait for the second when the sun rises, hours away from now, and fight her way out as soon as father would release her. It was going to be tough, her father worked with the police force,and if she had gotten free somehow, no doubt they would track her down and eventually kill her. But she couldn't think of that now, her life depended on this one night, the night she would finally gain her freedom, and after that she wouldn't have to see  them ever again.

 She heard a light tread in the snow and her vision cleared as she turned around, ready to fight if she had to. Her body tensed until the figure got closer, her little sister Stephanie stepped over to her , carrying a cardboard box bigger than her tiny arms could carry. The little replica of her dropped the box gently and took a key from her breast pocket.

       "I took this from mom's purse, you must leave before sunrise." Stephanie spoke in a whisper and unlocked the chain that held her sister captive.

"What's wrong?"

"I overhead mother and father speaking of you, they said that this punishment would be your last." Jasper understood what her sister had meant, they were going to kill her. "I must go now before they notice I left my room. I love you." Stephanie wrapped her arms around her then quickly ran back into the house.

            Jasper moved her eyes to the box beside her, opening the cardboard flaps. Inside was a pair of clothes and a string bag, she picked up the first item she saw and quickly put it on. It was a scarlet red blouse, the color of her hair, with a difficult design on the front. Then she put on a pair of dark purple skinny jeans that embellished her thin figure and a pair of black vans to match, she looked like a rock star more than anything else. This was it, she was finally going to leave. She tossed the heavy string bag over her shoulders and excitedly hopped the fence like she had done it a thousand times before. Breaking into a run down the street, and out of the neighborhood. She left before the sun could rise, she had done it, she had finally gotten free. Let their hunt begin. He lips curled up into a smile as she went.

      Her heart thudded rapidly and sweat dripped down her forehead, she was so close to the city, all she had to do was keep running. She picked up the speed in her legs, pushing herself to keep going. One block, two, three blocks, a mile, and still she kept on running. Ignoring the burning in her legs and the heavy pounding in her chest organ. Only until she reached  a  part in Manhattan did she slow down into a light jog, her legs heavy as lead and her breaths shortened . Rise, fall, rise, fall, her chest heaved as she almost fell over. Her body slumped forward with her hands to her thighs. She would never go back to that place, and her little sister made it clear to her that going back would mean death, being found could mean death, and even her decision to run meant death if she wasn't careful.

"Hey miss? You alright over there?" She turned her head, a man in his twenties stood next to her, he was a thin man in business casual clothing. He looked concerned so she did he best to answer.

"Yea. I'm alright.." She paused, taking in a deep breath. " Just out of shape that's all."

"Well alright then, take care of yourself." The man whistled for a cab and like that he was off.

     She  stood up with her back straight, the string bag weighing on her shoulders as she took swift steps down the sidewalks of the city. She had no clue where she was headed, but it was obvious to her where she was at. There was no doubt in her mind that this was Manhattan, the tall glistening buildings, the different shops, and even during the middle of the night it still swarmed with people. All of the noise of the city hit her ears all at once and she found herself looking around in amazement.  Her family would never find her here, she was sure of it. That is if her father doesn't get his buddies at the precinct involved.  She knew that Manhattan was out of their jurisdiction, but how could any of that matter with a missing kid involved? There had to be an inner-city bus station somewhere. Forget it, she shook her head in exhaustion and went towards the ally way.

She was close to afew apartment buildings and her hopes flew up like a bird in the air, maybe someone from over there could help. Another wave of doubt pressed on her, each of their lights were off, and no one would even dare answer the door to strangers. Her whole body ached as she slid down on the brick wall near the dumpster, a tiny pair of eyes greeted her. They were adorable, curious eyes, a chorus of mews followed behind as the little gray kitten got closer.

        "Where did you come from little guy?" Jasper spoke tenderly and picked her up and placed the ball of fur on her lap as she drifted off to sleep. It was a dark, dreamless rest that lasted for hours.