Red

chapter 2

The woman fumbled around the room, searching for her belongings. She grabbed them, as she saw them and shoved them into an old bag that had been tucked away at the back of their rotting wardrobe. Her husband had stayed in the tavern, when she decided to leave, taking her daughters with her. She had sent them up to their bed and then rush to gather her things. Adrenaline pumped through her veins. Dawn was starting to break, that meant soon the village would be starting to quiten down, as everyone headed to bed. She knew that would drive her husband home. He could arrive at any moment and she would lose her chance.

Once she had what she needed and she had packed it all into her bag, she took one more look around her old room and smiled. She was finally getting out of this hell hole. She deserved better and now it was right in front of her. She just had to run before she got caught. She threw her cloak on and pulled up her hood. She knew where the people from the travelling show were set up and would not stop until she made it there. She would run and never look back. The thought of that actor brought her hope and she felt ready for her new life. She walked briskly from the room and straight towards the front door.

"Where are you going?"

She let out a small scream of fright and jumped back a mile. When she turned around, she saw her oldest daughter Red, standing there looking up at her. In her state of excitement she had completely forgotten about them. The thought of bringing them crossed her mind, but she quickly dismissed it. How could she start a new life with such a big reminder of her old life. She would never be free of them. It would not be practical. She looked down at her and tried to steady her breathing, so not to raise any suspisions.

"I'm going to go get your father," she lied.

Her father. He would surly take this out on her. He already took out his current fustrations on her, so what would he do now. He loved his wife too much to ever lay a hand on her. His eldest daughter was not so lucky. The woman remembered all the times he had made her stand with her little hands up aganist the wall and her back to him. He had one big belt that he would always use. Sometimes it would cut right through her clothes amd cause the blood use to go everywhere. At first she use to struggle, but once he began to threathen her younger sister Ruby, Red would gladly take the hits for her. She would quickly throw herself in the way, just to protect her. Her leaving would only make life worse for her daughter. He could kill her if things really got out of hand. With that, she had an idea. She quickly rushed past Red and into their room. She picked up the basket with Ruby in it and back out to the kitchen.

"What's wrong?" Asked Red.

"Don't ask questions. Just come with me," rushed her mother.

Time was ticking. Her husband could land home at any moment. She rushed out of the house with Red close behind her. Red closed the door and ran to catch up with them. They had made it a good distance from the house, when Red looked back over her shoulder. She saw her Father stumble back up to the house and fall in the door, slamming it shut.

"Mama. Papa's home now. Will we go back?" She asked, tugging at her mothers skirt.

"Stop that- No. Now don't look back," she snapped.

"Where are we going?" She asked.

"Stop asking questions I said," Scolded her mother.

Red was a little hurt, but decided to ignore it. She looked to make sure Ruby was alright. She was sound asleep. Knowing that put her slightly at ease. At least she was safe.

"Alright Red. We're going to run at vampire speed now. Make sure not to fall behind," Instructed the woman.

There was a blur and Red knew her mother had began to run. She was quick behind her. They Ran faster then they ever had before. After sometime they stopped. They were miles outside the village. Red did not know which direction they had went in or where they were. They stopped outside a large grey building. The woman looked up at it and let out a sigh of relief. There were big iron gates with a heavy pad lock on it. Beyond the fence and stone walls, lay an empty and flat court yard, that streched all the way from the iron gates, back to the large grey building. The windows were all sealed off with bars and went up several stories. There was a large clock that sat in the centre of the building, above the two front doors. From the dead empty forest to the grey looming sky, the building was shourded in misery.