Running Away

Packing my bags

This is it.

Today is the day I move on.

Today is the day I leave my boyfriend of almost 3 years, Hunter.

He thinks I'm going to visit my aunt and uncle in Toronto. When in reality, I'm moving in with my step-dad in Mooresville, North Carolina.

I place all of my clothes in a tiny carry-on suitcase. I don't have that many clothes considering, as soon as I wear them they get covered in blood. Courtesy of Hunter.

After zipping it closed I get off my bed and put on my only stainless clothes. A black baggy, hoodie, red skinny jeans, and black converse. My dark brown hair is in a messy bun. No makeup, I never wear makeup.

"You ready, darling?" My Mom asks while poking her head in my room.

"Yes." I say, my voice shaky.

"Good." She nods and picks up my little brown suitcase. "Don't want to be late now. Hunter is almost done at practice and I'm afraid of what he'll do if he finds out you were planning on leaving

without a good-bye."

"I am too." I sigh and follow her to the car.

-

She parks the Honda in front of the Chicago airport and I just stare at it. My hands visibly shake as I get out.

"Don't worry sweet heart, its all for the best." My mom pulls me into a light hug.

"What will he do to you?" I ask into her shoulder.

"He wont do anything to me, baby." She says, while rubbing her hands up and down my arms gently. "I'm calling the police on him tomorrow. All I need is you somewhere safe."

"Okay." I sigh. "I love you."

"I love you too, honey." She kisses my cheek before getting in her car.

-

Nervous tension swirls in my stomach as my flight is called to board the plane.

"Calm down, Lycia." I tell myself. "15 minutes and you'll be off to a better life."

I grab my suitcase and get in line.

"Ticket?" A blonde, bubbly, attendant asks.

Without a word, I hand her my ticket and enter the plane.

I keep my head down until I get to my row. Once there I try to put my suitcase into the overhead bin, but cant get it a few inches off the ground. The fresh bruises on my shoulders and biceps hurt like hell. The cut on my left ribcage doesn't feel so hot either.

"Let me get that for ya." A male voice says from behind me.

I flinch and hit my head on the corner of the overhead bin.

"Woah, calm down are you okay?" He asks, laughing.

I turn to the voice and see the most attractive boy I have ever laid eyes on. He has bright blue eyes, fair skin, and dark brown hair, with blonde streaks. Blue eyes grabs my suitcase and throws it effortlessly into the compartment.

I quickly sit down and buckle my seatbelt.

He sits next to me and smiles.

"Thanks." I mutter almost inaudibly.

"No problem, so whats your name?" He asks.

"L-Lycia." I stutter without making eye contact.

"My eyes are up here, Lycia." He chuckles.

I still refuse to look at him in the eye. Being with Hunter taught me to never look a guy in the eyes.

"Its a sign of disrespect, Lycia." His voice rings in my mind. "Are you disrespecting me?"

"N-No! No I'm not I'm sorry!" I replied weakly.

"I'm the man in this relationship, you listen to me!" He yelled before punching me in the jaw.

"Hello?" Blue eyes asks from next to me. "Lycia are you-" he touches my shoulder.

I flinch back and wince in pain. He touched me right on a bruise.

"I'm sorry, did I hurt you?" He asks, concerned.

"I'm fine." I say quickly and quietly.

"Are you sure?" He presses.

I nod but then immediately regret it. My neck is also bruised from where I got nearly choked to death. By Hunter, of course.

"Fine, totally fine." I try to keep my voice even but it cracks.

"Okay." He sighs and leans back in his seat.

Happy that the conversation is over, I turn the opposite direction and fall asleep.

-

"You thought you could run away?" Hunter's voice rings through the airplane. "You thought you could leave me?!"

"Hunter please-"

Hands grab my neck from behind and suffocate me.

"You never learn do you?!" He yells releasing my neck.

I gasp for air.

"I guess I'll just have to teach you!" A knife digs into my left shoulder. Searing pain fills my entire upper body.

"Hunter please just stop!" I yell in tears. "Hunter! Hunter stop, leave me alone! HUNTER!"

-

"Lycia! Calm down! Lycia!" I wake up, drenched in sweat. My eyes burst open to see everyone in the cabin staring at me. Blue eyes is holding my arms."Are you okay? What happened? Who's Hunter?" He asks.

"Ho-how do you know about Hunter?" I dodge his question.

"You were screaming about him, begging him to stop and leave you alone." He answers.

"Oh." I suck in a deep breath.

"Who's Hunter?" He asks again.

I just shake my head as a tear rolls down my cheek.

"It's okay." He turns my head to face him. "You don't have to tell me

about him."

I try to give a grateful smile but it doesn't work out. Blue eyes just turns and jams earbuds into his ears.

I'm already beginning to regret this.