“I need to leave.” I wrote in my diary, hands shaking. “I could not bare this abuse from my husband. From a man that seemed to be as dear as a lamb, to a horrible man, dare I even say a man, a monster, a manipulator, a maniac..”

My parents had arranged this marrige with this prince. I thought he was perfect, he was the one. Soon enough he turned into a monster like all the other men in the community. How could I leave though, I was the queen, Queen of Ridgeland, I liked that name.

I couldn’t bare this life over a name, or could I? I smacked reality back into my head, I couldn’t, but I had another problem. How could I escape with all the guards around?

I packed my bags quickly with only the necessities, if I had brought more than my malnourished body could hold I could not make it far. I had felt a push of confidence, I was going to make it out. I was going to live a normal life.

I grabbed a lantern, a new one, lanterns were just sent out into the markets. My husband wouldn’t notice, he left house decor up to me and the maid. I began to think about my outfit, everything looked royal and expensive, things that only the royal family would be wearing.

I reached into my closet and grabbed the white dress gown, it was my grandma’s. The only thing I had kept without permission. It was beautiful, but it was old, it looked like a gown all the other women wore daily. Maybe if I put my hair into a low braid and wore the night gown I could escape without being noticed.

The sun set and I was out of the mansion, we had a forest in our backyard which led to a main trail. I walked into the forest since there were no guard camps out there.

I made it out to the trail, once there I saw a sign “ Oakwood ahead 13 miles” 13 miles, thats all I said in my head. I picked up my feet, shuffled along the cold gravel trail. I had bought a pair of everyday slippers from a salesman outdoor. If I didnt have these shoes It would be physically impossible for me to walk 13 miles in heels.

I hated those heels but how pretty they were, gold wrapped around the dark black heels. It made me feel so feminine and important. Wherever I stepped with those heels it was complete silence. I couldn’t feel that with these slippers.

I felt wrong. What if this was the wrong decision. This is what my parents wanted, I had to listen to them. “I don’t know what to do” I said outloud. I need to move, if I stay here any longer I bet a guard will see me, I said in my head.

After a while of walking I heard a sound come out from behind me, “Marie, come out!” I flinched, what was that noise? Who was there?

I started to pick up a pace and started running, it was dark and windy, I couldn’t see ahead of me but I knew the path.

I was much ahead but I heard a crack, my leg was stuck. I couldn’t move. I tried to pull but I was too tired, I couldn’t.” Trying to run away from me I see?” My husband said. “Boys, take her away..”