Sunbeams and Thunderstorms (now published so sample only)

Chapter 2 - Second meeting

Chapter 2 – Second meeting

Two Years Later

Tonight was the night she would make her escape. She had her bags packed, tucked under her bed and ready to leave with all the essentials she would need.

She prayed for no flooding anywhere in the world, so her parents couldn't foil her escape plan. For once in her life she wanted to believe that someone would listen to her prayers. This would be her only chance to leave and she needed to do this right.

Her parents may have forgotten about today being the day she reached adulthood, but Summer certainly hadn't. She had awaited this day since she first realised how her parents manipulated people who had suffered devastation. Tonight she would leave the stifling intensity of their care.

The hours drew out long and arduous. Summer had to hold in her impatience and the desperate need to leave that clawed at her. She stopped her foot from tapping, so her parents wouldn't suspect anything from her behaviour. Smiling at her parents, doing normal activities and even cleaning the dishes didn't make the day go by any faster.

When the sun dipped behind the mountains, Summer's excitement expanded. All she had to do was wait out her parents for another few hours. The closer the hours drew, the more Summer needed to leave.

Dinner became an arduous task of smiling, eating and making obscure conversation about nothing. She yawned and made the excuse of tiredness to head back to her room. Once there, she went through everything she packed, made sure her meagre funds were tucked away, and dressed in preparation for her departure.

Her parents headed to bed and she could relax. Excitement and fear bounced through her keeping her wide awake. She couldn't fail at this, she needed to leave. She listened for the inevitable snoring as her cue to sneak out of the house.

A sigh of relief escaped her as she placed the note she wrote for her parents on the bed. She pulled her backpack on over her shoulder and her small handbag with her funds she tucked tight next to her.

Summer knew she had to do this but now that the moment arrived her nerves overcame her. Shaking fingers adjusted her backpack as she reached for her suitcase. All of her favourite possessions lived in these two bags.

A sense of loss surrounded her, but she forced herself to move forward. Moping would keep her hear for longer than she wanted. She had to take this opportunity now.

The rumble of an engine drew her attention and she frowned. She hadn't organised anyone to pick her up because she didn't know anyone outside of her parents. Summer had intended on walking and hiding until she could find transportation.

Sticking her head out of the window, she noticed a long slung sports car shrouded in moonlight. She blinked and stared at the car with suspicion. The car door opened and Summer slunk back behind the curtain.

A familiar and most welcome face greeted her, when she dared to peep out of the curtain. Declan McCloud's solemn face looked up at her window with an expectant gaze. He opened the passenger door and gestured for her to join him.

Her excitement fluttered in her chest as she stood and nodded down to him. It seemed that her rescuer of two years ago had returned to rescue her again, and she couldn't be more grateful.

With practised, silent steps, Summer made her way out of her bedroom and down the stairs. Only once did she freeze when one of her parents made a strange noise. Her body tensed halfway between taking a step. With her heart rate elevated, she took the next step with greater care.

She couldn't be this close and fail. For years she had dreamed of leaving and now she would, nothing would stop her. With a deep breath, she kept moving.