Chapter 5

In no time we turned into my driveway. Looking out of my window I saw Richard standing in front of the house, with a deafly facial expression. The car stopped. The driver turned around and looked worriedly at me. Looking between Richard and me.

“Miss, will you be fine?” He asked not really knowing if he wants to get involved.

“Yes, Thank you.”

I paid him and got out of the car. I quickly hurried passed Richard hoping to get to my mother before he could do anything to me. The house was filled with dread.

“Mom?” I called out.

I hurried to the kitchen. I saw her sitting in the kitchen with Clara my half-sister. Looking between them. My eyes stopped at Clara's.

“What did you tell him, Clara?”

Before she could answer I felt a blow to the side of my face. I fell to the ground hitting my head on the cabinet door.

“You, do not get to speak in this house, slut!”

His punch was so hard that I almost lost consciousness. I knew I should get up. Scared, he would start kicking me. I slowly stood up, pressing on the counter for support.

“Do you think selling your body to a rich man you will be able to escape this house?”

I looked at him with confusion. Still saying nothing.

“You are really going to act all innocent, even though Clara saw you entering the fighting stadium with a man?” Richard screamed.

I looked between Clara and Richard. Clara looked at me with pure enjoyment on her face. Enjoying the misery, I'm experiencing. I turned and looked at my mom. Having a distraught look on her face. Her eyes swimming with tears. We both knew tonight was the night I would die. It did not even matter if I would defend myself against her words. He will never listen. It will only make matters worse.

I forced my attention back on Richard. The side of my face feels like it's on fire. Tears slowly started running down my face.

“I will not let a slut live in my house! I do not even know why I let you live until now. I should have killed you the day you were born!”

His words hit me like a sharp knife being forced into my heart. With one swift motion, he took out a gun from the back of his pants, pointing it straight at me. I closed my eyes taking a deep breath. Waiting for the one who was supposed to protect me, suppose to wipe my tears when I cry, suppose to love me, now take my life with his own hands like it is nothing. Maybe death will be better than life. I slowly opened my eyes looking at his hateful eyes.

In the corner of my eyes, I picked up my mother mouthing me something. Turning my head to her. Did she just say run? With a quick motion, my mom slapped the gun out of my dad’s hands.

“Mia, you must run now, I will be fine! NOW RUN!”

I knew he would never kill her. Luckily, I'm standing with my back to the open back door. I quickly turned and rushed out, before he could reach the gun. Running as fast as I could into the forest. Going the opposite direction of town. Richard knew too many people in town. I could not take the risk of being discovered and taken back. I could not let my mother’s sacrifice go in vain. I kept looking over my shoulder, praying that he will not catch up to me. My lungs started burning from the cold air. With every breath, I took it felt like a thousand needles sticking into my longs. My body screamed at me to stop. Every inch of my body hurt from all the scratches I got. Wounds covering my whole body. My face was full of running tears. I can't slow down now. Just a little bit further. I’m almost there. I keep telling myself.

In the distance, I heard a train. The rhythm of my heartbeat picked up. I needed to get to that train. That is my quickest way to get away from here without being spotted. I knew my life will not be easy going forward. I owe it to my mother to live. I will live for her. I will one day come back for her when she's ready to leave him.

In front, the train is going at full speed. With my last strength. I quickly made a run for it, trying to catch up. Reaching my hand out, I grabbed onto the railing. Pulling myself up. There is only a small space left for me to sit. Slowly sitting down, my legs hanging down. Letting my head rest backwards. Closing my eye but did not dare to fall asleep.