It’s November 16th, 2004.

I sit next to my husband, Sebastian, on our sofa, covered with a colorful blanket, holding his hand as we watched a movie, specifically Grease . He lets out a chuckle after seeing Danny’s reaction to Sandy’s makeover, I smile softly and grab a handful of popcorn.

Our life was perfect. We would be married for 4 years in December. All we ever wanted was a baby, but as much as we tried we couldn’t have a child.

But that was until finally, exactly a year ago, we had the sweetest baby girl.

I snuggled up with him, I was thinking of my daughter, Carla, her beautiful chestnut curls, her rosy cheeks, her laughter when she hears me coming home after my shift, and her beautiful green eyes that she got from me, thank god she didn’t her eyes from Sebastian, I’d hate to be reminded of him after all he’d done.

My stomach dropped.

Wait.

What?

I looked over at him, weren’t we divorced, or to be divorced ? My eyes shifted towards our intertwined hands, noticing the matching rings. My heart began racing, i held my breath.

What happened?

God, Stop panicking. i need to think of an escape. i need to get my daughter and leave,now.

“Sebastian, honey?” I cringed internally.

“Hm?” He simply hummed.

“I’m gonna go check on Carla” I said, patting his arm.

“Why? She’s fine sleeping in the bed, isn’t she?“ he inquired.

“Yes… but i just want to make sure she’s okay.” I replied.

He looked at me skeptically but eventually nodded. I stood up, started to walk up the stairs, heading to my room. I quickly grabbed a small bag, packed my flip-phone, two hundred dollars in cash, my wallet, and the house keys.

After packing I felt something. Something telling me to look into his bedside table drawer. And I did, for there wasn’t time to hesitate. I found a bottle with a clear violet liquid, a syringe next to it, under it, the divorce papers,unsigned. Slowly i instinctively lifted my hand and felt my neck.

The mosquito bite.

It wasn’t a mosquito bite after all. I’m so stupid. I placed everything back as it was, closed the drawers, and exited the room.

I started to hurry over to my daughters room.

“Erica!” I heard Sebastian yell, i froze, right where I was, “yes?” I replied. “Is everything okay?” He asks. “Mhm! Just had to use...the bathroom!” I quickly replied. I held my breath, waiting in silence for a response.

“Okay!” He yelled back in response. I finally reached her room, and opened the door. Closing the door after me as I stepped in. There she was, my beautiful baby girl. I grabbed her bottle of water that she started drinking just around a few months ago, baby food, a spoon, 5 diapers, and her blanket.

I ,slowly, quietly lifted up the window in the nursery. I had to leave. With a baby in my hand, and a bag on my back. I looked over at Carla, who miraculously, was still asleep. I lift one leg over the ledge of the window. Suddenly, I heard footsteps. I quickly jumped out the window, onto the roof.

I could tell the movie was nearing its end when a specific song began to play.

“We‘ll always be together.” I heard his heavy footsteps, jumping off the couch.

“We’ll always be together.” I hear him stomp up the staircase.

“We’ll always be together.” I hear him in the hallway.

Cautiously moving towards the ladder. I heard the door slam open. The music kept going, repeating the lyric. I quickly rushed to the ladder, almost tripping. I began to climb down and- “ERICA?” I hear Sebastian yell, sheer panic in his voice. I jump down the last to steps and that seemed to tick off Carla. She unleashed a loud cry, and I whimper. “Please. Please. Shhh.. mama’s here...mama’s here…” I tried calming her. A lump formed in my throat.

“ERICA!” Sebastian yelled, slamming the front door open. I didn’t look back, i kept running. But he didn’t.

BAM.

His shotgun. He’s gonna kill me. He’s going to hurt my Carla.

I ran

Click. He reloaded the gun and shooting at me.

Missed.

Click.

Missed, barely.

Click.

I throw myself behind a tree, barely dodging the bullet.

Adrenaline rushing through my veins, I couldn’t breathe, i didn’t care. The harsh cold wind hitting my face as I ran through the forest. Carla crying as I attempted to cover her face with her blanket, shielding her from the wind. I couldn’t hear Sebastian anymore.

Finally reaching the road and anxiously waited for anyone. A few seconds pass, I see a truck driving towards me. I stood on the road, jumping and yelling, trying to get the attention of the driver. The truck stopped and an old man stepped out. He looked at me like I was crazy.

Petrified, I only let out one word.

“Help.”

>edited x2<