Elizabeth
I see an opening. The front door. It’s right there, just a few steps away. If I run now, I might make it before Christopher gets up.
But my children.
I can’t leave them. I won’t leave them.
My heart pounds, my body screaming for escape, but my mind is already made up. I turn, my feet dragging against the floor as I push myself toward the staircase. I need to get to them. I need to make sure they’re safe.
I take the first step, my legs burning, my ribs aching from Christopher’s last blow. But then I hear it—movement.
“Elizabeth!”
His furious scream echoes through the house, slamming into my back like a physical force. My entire body seizes with terror, but I don’t stop.
I can’t stop.
I push forward, every step feeling like a mile, every breath like shards of glass in my lungs.
I can hear him behind me. Fast. Too fast.
I force my legs to move, digging deep into whatever strength I have left. Just a little more. Just a few more steps.
But then—
BANG!
The front door fl
