A Tale of Redamancy

Prologue

It felt like my heart was in my throat. I was running as hard as I could, the street lights lighting the way. I could hear tire skids as I whipped my head back to see a car chasing me. My calves were burning and my chest hurt just breathing. I saw my shadow get smaller and smaller as I looked up and saw one more street light ahead of me, the road ending in the distance.

I always dreamed of being free. To do the things I wanted to do, to not be afraid. The life I was living did not have that one. So, as the edge came closer and I felt the car gaze on me, that's when I made the decision to be free. I jumped. When people say that your life flashes right before your eyes as you're about to die, I didn't believe it until tonight.

I saw myself as a child studying day and night, my desk right up against the window, seeing little kids kicking a soccer ball around, riding their bikes, playing with their parents. I remembered graduation and not seeing my parents anywhere because they had to work. I remembered having my first kiss with my soon to be husband. And then I remembered my marriage turning rotten. I remembered being scared every night when he came home in our one room apartment. I remembered the slurs, the beating, the threats. And now as I was jumping into darkness I saw the skyline, the lights looking so beautiful.

Then I died.