Push the Pain Away

The Night it all Began

My breathing was heavy, and nervous. I shook in fear as i quietly, and cautiously made my way out of the old farm house and into the dark. As I entered the woods, the trees covered my only source of light causing the night to grow darker, and barely allowing me to see the ground beneath my feet. Tears flowed down my cheeks and instantly dried as the cold nights wind hit my face. I hurried through the woods and down the path that led back to my house, stumbling over rocks and fallen branches. In the distance I heard rustling noises, was someone there? My heart was beating so fast, I was sure it would explode from my chest. But no matter how scared I was, I had to hurry and tell my parents. Maybe someone could bring her back. I weaved through the trees on the path Leslie and I made with only my memory to guide me. I've walked it a million times, but never this late at night. I couldn't see our trail markers, I couldn't see much of anything. The faster and the further I ran the more my legs ached and my lungs burned. But I couldn't stop for anything. Not to catch my breath, not to take a break, not to look back. The dried leaves and twigs crunched beneath my tiny feet. Along with my loud heartbeat, I was sure the noise would lead him straight towards me. He was going to find me, I wasn't going to get home in time. Those thoughts replayed in my mind like a broken record. And just when I thought it was time to give up I saw the back porch light that shined in the distance. I was so close, I couldn't stop now. The trees tore at my clothes as I fought through the last of them to get to the opening of my backyard. Finally, I was out of the woods, and still running hurrying up the porch steps and into my house. I screamed, "mom, dad..!!" They ran to me, my mom so relieved that I had come home knelt down in front of me and with a worried tone asked "haley, where have you been?? What's wrong?" I struggled to catch my breath and talk at the same time. In between sobs I said "Leslie...her dad...he...he..."