Page 2 of Merciless

Spotting a couple of dollars abandoned on the kitchen counter, I stuff them into my pocket. It’s not much, and it certainly won’t get me very far. I just have to hope that my determination will make up for my lack of resources.

A sob rips from my throat the second I wrap my fingers around the handle and pull it open.

A rush of cool night air dances over my face and down my neck, making me shiver.

But it’s not enough to stop me. Nothing will be.

Deep down, I knew this day would come.

I did my best to protect her, but my best isn’t—and never has been—good enough.

I’m at the mercy of the men who think they can control our lives, who use us as puppets, as slaves, as whores.

But I’m done answering to my so-called master.

I’m done with all of it.

Tonight is the first night of the rest of my life.

I’m going to walk out of this house and then straight out of this town.

I have no idea what I’m going to find on the other side.This has been my home since the day I was born. My knowledge of what lies on the other side is courtesy of television and books.

The only thing I do know is that it can’t be as bad as here.

Nothing and nowhere in the world can be as bad as Harrow Creek.

As I step out into the night, every inch of my body is trembling.

The thought of all of this being a trap hits me out of nowhere.

I’m hardly ever left completely alone. There’s usually someone ‘protecting’ me.

Protecting me. What a fucking joke.

What if he’s waiting for me outside. Testing me to see whether I’ll do as I’m told and stay in the house like the perfect little lap dog he’s trained me to be. Or whether I’ll defy him.

Fear swirls in my stomach, bile burning up my throat. He likes playing games. They all do. I know that all too well. What if this is another?

I pause, second-guessing myself.

But in the end, I refuse to let my fears overrule my chance.

Keeping to the shadows, I creep around the side of the house.

I’m on full alert, listening. Waiting to see if there are men out here.

But there’s nothing. No noises other than the wind in the trees.

I put one trembling foot in front of the other as I race across the yard and out the gate, waiting for the inevitable. But it never comes.

With every step I take, my breathing comes a little easier and my muscles begin to relax. Only so much though, because there is still a very long way to go.

Every rumble of an engine, hoot of an owl, or snap of a twig startles me as I vanish in the cover of darkness and follow the road signs out of town.I’ve been walking for hours, praying that my legs would move faster, eat up more distance between me and the house I left behind.

He’s going to know I’ve left soon.

He’s going to come looking.

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