Balance*EDITING*

Chapter one

MACK POV

Running past the trees, I feel the branches wrapping around me, leaving marks. I could hear the sirens at the treacherous place I was in just moments before.

I knew that this would happen.

Another tree branch whacked me in the face and I wasn't sure how much more I could take. My body was weak and I could feel my knees starting to give out. I can't let him get me again, not again.

I will keep running, no stopping.

The surroundings of the dark forest were closing in on me and I could feel my lungs pleading for just a breath that I could hold.

I can't take any more. I'm loosing sight and my heart is pounding, I can hear it in my head.

I won't be able to make another mile if I keep on like this.

I stop for a few seconds and look at my surroundings. Trees, all I see are trees, nothing to hide in. I look up and find the tallest tree within my proximity and climb.

My thighs are burning and my heart is beating a million a second. My brain is telling me to keep going until I reach the top, but my body is failing to recognize the danger I am in.

More tree branches whack my body and I am now numb. I'm immune to the pain that is such a constant in my life. The only thing I feel is the coldness wracking shivers through my body. My excuse for clothing is shredded from the situation before. My thin tank top and spandex shorts are just limp pieces of thread. Almost like me, just a limp piece of trash. I finally make it to the top and find a sturdy branch to hold my weight. My body praises me for being able to sit.

In the distance I can hear the sirens of the fire trucks and police cars. The ambulance is already gone holding the once civil being I had only known my whole life. I let out a sob and try to convince myself not to break down. I look down at my thigh I see the scar running up my outer thigh. I touch it and wince in pain and bite my lip to suffice my scream.

I can see the faint glow of the fire and smoke surrounding the house. I stare at that little light laughing to myself. I am free. I've actually escaped. I'm like a bird in a tree. I can fly to a different place and land on different branches without being put back in a cage.

I hear a rustle from below and freeze. Completely still, I hold my hand over my mouth to hold my breath. I spoke to soon.

"I thought she ran this way! That little slut!" I hear the masculine voice yell at the two excuses of men around him.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING STANDING THERE. GO FIND HER!" He screams, ordering them.

"yes sorry"

I hear the little voice oblige. I can still feel the presence of someone fussing around under the tree.

"GOD DAMMIT!" I hear him roar. He punches the tree causing me to shake with it. I hold on with all the strength that I have left in me and pray that I won't fall.

He soon leaves and I let out a little breath. There has got to be a way to get out of here tonight. I can't hide when there is daylight.

" I know your up there sweetheart," I freeze, and my entire body feels like it is going to desiccate.

I can feel my breath stop in my throat as I hear him climbing. I panic and start to get up but there is no use of running. I turn around hesitantly to see the face I wanted to rot in hell.

I turn around completely and am caught off guard when I see him draw his pocket knife.

Come on Mack it's now or never. And I'm definitely not going his way.

As I see the reflection of the knife in the moonlight, I fall.

I stop holding on to whatever was left of me and let my body fall.

I hope I will die when I reach the bottom. It is my time to go, and I don't care what anyone else has to say about it. I will die today, on this night.

When it seems like this falling will never stop...

I wake up.