A Dark Light

Run. Faster! Common!!. There it was me, a seven year old girl running from my drunk step father. My heart is racing and I can't seem to think straight, all I can think is run. My step father is gaining speed and I don't know how much more I can keep this up. As I'm panting my speed is decreasing and he's getting closer. "GET BACK HERE AND QUIT RUNNING FROM ME!!" I can hear his deep voice getting closer. "You can't keep running." He's right behind me now. I've had to have been running for at least four miles at least. I run into the middle of the woods and hide within the trees. I try to control my breathing as I can see him searching for me. If I make a single noise I fear for my life. "Common... If you come out we can go home.." the sound in his voice lurks with evil as he walks in the opposite direction of me. As I let out a shaking breath, I look up at the sky to see the moon's bright glow lighting up the open land where I hide.

I look up again and see him heading back to the house. The fear that stays within me will burn into my memory. I wish that my mom had never married him. I refuse to go back to the house untill my mom gets home from work. The last time that I had to run from my step father when he was drunk I had to run and jump over a barbed-wire fence. I fell when I jumped over the fence and I ended up cutting my leg open, it still hurts to move it. I can't wait till my sees this man for the monster that he is. I start to walk a little further into the woods, trying to find where I'm at. The sound of cracking sticks and branches below me echo through the empty woods. I stand still for a moment and listen to the crickets, the peaceful music starting to calm me. I take a deep breath and lean against one of the trees as a tear falls from my eyes. "Well at least I'm still breathing." I say as my voice cracks with a weak chuckle as more tears drip from my eyes. I look up at the sky and cry.

My weak body shaking as I hold onto my ripped shirt tight in my hands trying to get ahold of myself. I let go of my shirt and start to head out of the woods. I look at the watch that my mother had gotten me. "She should be getting home soon." I say to myself as I make it out of the woods. Looking at the open field that is in front of me, such a long travel home. I take another deep breath and start to walk across the field,  I can no longer see my step father. How long was I in the woods? I wonder to myself as I feel a water droplet hit my exposed skin. I sigh and start to pick up the pace but not going any faster than a weak jog. Soon it was raining instead of just sprinkling. As it became colder I could now see my breath with every desperate break of air that I took. "Please... Let me make it home" I say looking up at the stars shining in the dark night sky, as I beg the angles to help me find my way. "P-please.... Guide me...." I can only manage to crack out. As I grip my shirt tightly in my small weak hands. The rain is starting to really pick up, it's like the angles are crying. As I walk slowly with my tiny feet dragging across the now muddy ground.

Slowly but surely I make my way back home. As time goes by I feel my small frail body shaking with the bitter cold bitting at my red sensitive skin. I pray for a medical. "Momma... Please don't you ever let me go, there is weakness in my grip and you are holding all my hope." I look up at the sky and see the water falling from the sky glowing with the moonlight. It's such a beautiful sight with the dark rain shinning as it falls slowly from the night sky. I stop in my tracks and admire the stunning sight before me. I snap out of it and continue to walk, I can't believe that I ran like that but I had to get him away from my siblings. I'd do anything to keep them safe. Yes I know that I am the youngest but I am not the weakest. I will forever put their lives before my own. I eventually make my way to my backyard, I look up at my pond as the rain hits it's surface, I can see the moon's reflection glistening in the water. I dart towards my room's  window. I lean against my brick house trying to catch my breath. Slowly I peak into my room from the window and see my older sister in there. I tap on the window to get her attention.