My Heart Chose You // h.s. a.i.

Chapter 1

I burst my bedroom door open and limped to my bed, hurriedly grabbing a large duffle bag I had hidden underneath the mattress and pulling it out. Then I quickly made my way to my dresser, grabbing the first things my hand touched and shoving the clothes into the bag. When most of the drawers were empty, I made my way over to my desk, grabbing my favorite stuffed animal and a picture of my mother and I before she died. I smiled sadly, my eyes filled up with tears. Everything would be so different if she was still here. Suddenly the sound of loud snores echoing through the house brought me back to my senses and I hastily shoved it into the bag. He could wake up at any second... The thought made my heart race in fear. Taking one last look at the room I had grown up in, I staggered to the bathroom to get my toiletries.

With shaking hands I grabbed my tooth brush and deodorant, putting them into the bag. I was about to leave the room when my reflection caught me by surprise, making me gasp. I could barely even recognize myself. One eye was completely swollen shut while the other was a bloodshot red instead of it's natural blue. My face was covered with bruises and blood, along with some of my dark brown hair. Even the top of my shirt was stained with the repulsive, red liquid. There was just so much blood everywhere. I stared in tears, a sob developing in my chest. Looking at my reflection in disgust, I ripped my clothes off, feeling filthy. When everything was off, I picked the shirt and shorts up, throwing them into the trash can. Then I reached into my duffle bag pulling out a jacket and some jeans to throw on. When I was finished changing, I splashed cold water on my face, wiped away my tears and headed downstairs.

He was lying on the couch, passed out cold. I was used to seeing him like this, and I preferred it. He wasn't as monstrous this way. There was a beer bottle in his hand and several others surrounding him, some toppled over and others broken. I looked at a specific broken one near the kitchen and my hand immediately flew up to my head, rubbing the tender spot he'd thrown the bottle at. Then I slowly grab his wallet from the coffee table, taking out all of the dollar bills inside before gently putting it back. As I turn, walking a few careful steps toward the front door he stirs and groans in his sleep, making me jump. I whip my head back towards him and stare at him with wide eyes. My breathing had ceased and I could barely hear anything over the loud thump of my heartbeat. Please don't wake up! I prayed silently to myself. My body shook as I watched him lie there, making sure he was still unconscious. I had never been so terrified in my entire life. When he began to snore once more I closed my eyes and breathed a long sigh of relief. Thank god.

I take a small glance at him before limping as fast as I could to the door. I slowly open it and slip outside, shutting it softly behind me. Then I peeked in the living room window to make sure he hadn't moved. When I saw that he was still lying there in the same position I started to run. It was difficult with my injured ankle but I managed. I flew down the street, past the houses of neighbors I'd known my whole entire life. I kept running and I didn't stop. Each time I felt my legs or my lungs giving out I just pushed myself to keep going. This was my only way out, I couldn't stop now. After what seemed like forever I finally arrived to the shuttle bus station across town. I nearly collapsed at the door; my ankle felt like it was about to snap in half. A man inside of the building saw me standing there and quickly ran to the door, helping me inside. He sat me down in a chair and kneeled in front of me, asking if I was okay. I smiled weakly and slowly pulled out all of the money I had in my pocket. I held it out to him and he looked down at it with an unreadable expression on his face.

"Please," I whispered. "It's all I have."

The man pursed his lips. "Miss, your head is bleeding pretty badly... Don't you think you should go to a hospital? I can call someone for you right now--"

I shook my head at him. "Ill be fine, I just need to leave this town as soon as possible."

He looked at me skeptically. "Are you in some sort of trouble?"

I start to laugh and then wince at the stinging feeling it leaves in my ribs. I hold my sides tightly and shake my head. He asks where I needed to go and I tell him tell him softly, glad he was actually going to help me.

He nods, standing to his feet. "We have a bus headin' that direction in about an hour, you can take that one."

"Thank you."

I try handing him the money but he just shakes his head. "It's on the house."

"Are you sure? I'm sure there's enough here."

He nods. "I'm sure."

Once he had walked away I pulled out my cellphone and scrolled through my contacts. When I saw the right number I clicked on it and held the phone up to my ear. It rang several times before a tired voice answered the phone.

"Hello?"

"Aunt Camille? It's me... Quincy."

"Quincy? Is everything alright? It's late."

"I'm-I'm coming down to see you; just like we talked about at moms funeral. You remember right?"

She doesn't say anything for a while and I have to check the phone to see if she had hung up. "Are you there?" I ask.

She clears her throat. "I'm here, I remember. I'll get everything ready for you. Are you safe?"

I look around and nod. "Yes. He was asleep when I left."

"Good. You weren't followed right?"

"No I don't think so."

It's silent again and when she finally speaks it's more quiet. "I'm sorry, Quincy. Everything's gonna be okay now. He won't be able to hurt you again. I promise."

I look down at the ground, tears streaming down my cheeks. "I hope you're right..."