I awoke from a bang downstairs. I would go to see what it was, but I can’t get out of my room. I glanced over to my alarm, it was 3:30, I must’ve slept through my alarm. I heard my mother screaming and my little sister, Emily, crying. So many thoughts ran through my head. I couldn’t stand the thought of my mother laying a finger on my baby sister. I heard her running up the stairs and my mother following. She banged on my door and cried out my name. I screamed her name and banged on the door to try and get out. I heard my mother smack Emily, that set me off. I stood as far from the door as I could. I ran towards the door and hit it, nothing happened. I tried again, nothing. I stood back again and tried one last time. I hit the door just hard enough that the lock broke and the door easily opened.
“Emily!” I screamed trying to discover where my mother had taken her.
“Lu-!” I heard a hand slap over her mouth.
I ran down the hall and into my moms bathroom. I pushed my mom off of Emily and threw her over my back.
“Get back here you brats!” she screamed while getting up.
I ran with Emily hanging on down the hall and into my room. I heard my mother fall with a bang and looked back to see. Once in my room I grabbed two book bags, both had money in them and clothes for my sister and I. I never thought I would need to bring my sister with me, but now I do. Things are only getting worse and I can’t leave my sister to fend for herself. I set Emily down and gave her the bag with her clothes and she swung it onto her back and ran down the stairs, me following shortly after.
“Luke where are we going?” she whispered, tears building up in her eyes again.
I wiped her eyes and rubbed over the mark my mom left on her cheek. I hugged her and she cried into my shoulder. I lifted her up in my arms and opened the door to leave. I grabbed a set of keys to the house to keep with me just in case then walked out the door hearing a faint call from my mom. Once outside I set Emily down and tried to calm her.
“Shh, shh, I know Emily, I know she hurt you, and I know you might be scared to leave, but we have to and I am sorry. I will keep you safe, I promise. I love you Em.” I whispered into her ear while hugging her close.
She wrapped her arms around my neck and squeezed tightly.
“I love you too, Luke.” she replied letting go.
I took her hand and we continued to walk down the street. I first wanted to go to Ashton’s to let him know about everything. I know being my best friend he should know about the stuff that happens at my home, but he doesn’t. Now, I had to tell him. I heard another call from my mother down the street, I looked back and she was running towards us. I started to run while still holding Emily’s hand. My mom, being as drunk as she was, actually was catching up to us. I scooped up Emily in my arms and started to run full speed. I turned into someone’s backyard and ran into the woods. I stopped and set Emily down and tried to catch my breath. Emily grabbed a water from her bag and handed it to me. I took a couple sips and gave it to Emily, she screwed the cap back on and dropped it into her bag.
“Luke?” Emily whispered.
“Yeah, Em?”
