The plants around me were covered with dew from the midnight shower. The rough rocks were slippery and the fog covered my eyesight. Like it wanted to protect the world from me.

I wish I could blame it and tell it I was safe.

But I couldn’t.

Step on a crack, you break your mommas back.

I bounced from stone to stone.

The wind whistled past me causing me to stumble.

_Thump_.

My foot landed on a crack.

I shook my head. It was just a silly kids game anyways.

That didn’t stop tears from filling my eyes. I wiped them away with the sleeve of my jacket.

Why was I being so ridiculous?

I straightened my shoulders and continued walking.

The old horse barn up ahead was crest with fog. It’s white walls were splattered with dirt and the roof was missing several shingles, but that didn’t matter.

I would be safe.

I used to hide in the horse stalls for days at a time while my parents argued in the small brick house down the road. I’d stay up late, tears running down my cheeks as I was lulled to sleep by the sweet scent of hay. The stars would sing me to sleep and the chickens would always wake up early to greet me.

When my father came out to feed the animals I would hide in the empty stall in the rusted horse trough. He would grumble as he replaced the horses hay and always mutter in suprise when he saw their food half-full already.

But if only he called my name.

If only he called my name I would’ve stood up and went home right then.

But he never did.

He always stood and left, leaving my heart shattered.

And he always knew.

That’s what hurt me the most.

He always knew it was me.