Freeing Independence

The Double A's

Indies POV Age 11

I look back up at father, half shielding my body from his fists. He hits me again. Again. Again. Again. I hear my mother screaming, begging him to stop, saying do it for the baby - she was pregnant - with no answer back. He goes on. My mom picks up the phone, about to call they police when...the hitting stops? Relieved, I look at my mother, and my face drops, hers terrified, and it doesn't take long before I realize that my dad grabbed a rolling pin and was heading right for her. My sister jumps in front of her, taking a fatal blow to the head. "KATIE!" I scramble over to her, knowing I was too late. My mom screams for me to run, and falls silent seconds later. I know not to look back. I understand what just happened. I need to find help.

I sprint out the door, running anywhere but back. I enter a mall, knowing I will find someone there. The parking lot was half full. I don't stop running until I run smack into to a couple strolling the mall.

They whip around. "Hey who- oh my God. Adam, it's a child!" said the woman. "Where are your parents?" "I need you to call 911" I replied. "What the- what happened?" I told them about my dad, mom, and sister. The woman dialed as I talked, asking for my address. Only a minute later the two were driving me back to my house, trailing the police cars.

As soon as I stepped out, I was bombarded by questions. After an eternity of how, when, and whys the officers told the couple I would need a place to stay for a while, followed by a look shared between the two and a nod.

I walked over to them, and was asked by the couple my name. " My name is Independence Vivian Gail. What's yours?" I asked back. "I'm Adam and this is Alesa." says the man. "And we're going to be taking care of you for a while."