The roar of the rain around me silenced all other sounds. I looked up at the sky—the moon shone a bright yellow, sad yet welcoming. With one last breath, I looked around at the place I called "home" all my life. The shelves had not a single speck of dust and the carpeted floor was the same beige color as it had been all those years ago. Not a single light was on, only the small lettering of our cable box's display pierced through the cold darkness. I sighed. I have to. One last round. Just to make sure. The note written in handwriting I'm sure my parents wouldn't recognize anymore was posted on the TV just as I had left it. My bags sat waiting for our departure. I walked back to the doorway, still quite hesitant. I have to. I grabbed the luggage and stepped into the rain. Immediately, the cool droplets of water bombed my covered skin with relief and I ran. Far. Far from the "home" I was no longer safe in. Far from the place where I thought I had once belonged. Far from the memories I had locked in the prison of my heart. And then the dam broke. I stopped in the middle of the street and looked at my watch. 2 AM. Water fell on its face, but I didn't care. Whether they were drops of rain or my tears, I didn't know. The temptation to look back at such a place had lingered in my mind, but I pushed through. I started running faster than before, wanting to scream with every step. Three more seconds and I would turn the corner way from that place.
Three.
My white shoelaces were browning, now disgustingly damp, but I didn't care.
Two.
I watched as the familiar dirtied windows of my neighbors passed me by, not a single home illuminated with even a trace of warmth.
One.
I could see the turn in front of my eyes—all I had to do was move—
Zero.
I panted. That place was no longer in sight. What I had failed to do so many times over these so many months had finally happened. I was free. More quietly now, I made my way to a faraway coffee shop and simply waited for time to take me. The fresh smell of coffee hung in the air, even despite the early morning. It was refreshing. I would stay there until the rain cleared. I didn't know where I was heading, nor what I would do with the rest of my life, but none of that mattered because finally, I was free.
