The trees danced along with the soft winds as the birds chirped a beautiful melody. I couldn’t help but feel a calm sense of joy. This was my only get away from the harsh reality I lived.

I stood up from my seat by the flower bed and walked over to the fence, I was never allowed to cross it alone; It was too dangerous he said, I’m too small and weak he said. If I ever went beyond this garden again he said he’d kill me before the outside world does. That’s what kept me in because I knew well that he wouldn’t hesitate to end my life.

A sigh escaped my lips as I peered over the fence, the kids played skip rope and tag, I watched the dogs play fetch with their owners and an elderly couple walked hand in hand... They all looked so happy and I earnestly craved it.

His voice brought me back to my senses as he called out my name. “Clare, what are you doing?”

My body tenses as I avert my attention to him. “Just looking..”

“Don’t try nothin’ funny, alright?”

“I won’t..” I mumble.

He takes a step towards me, caressing my hair with his calloused fingers. “You know how much it’ll hurt me if you just ran off and left. And I’m sure you wouldn’t want what happened last time to happen again, hm?”

A lump formed in my throat as the memory replayed in my mind. “…no.”

“Good.” I watch as he lets out a small sigh. “Clare I know I don’t always show it but I love you, and I wouldn’t know what to do without you. You love me too right?”

I nod but I was still unsure. Actions spoke louder than words and even his words were cruel and harsh majority of the time. I searched his deep eyes for any sign of honesty but he was just so hard to read. Instead I peered back at the flowers then to the gate- I just wanted to be free. From him, from this ‘home’..from this hell.

Yet my love for him blinded me to all the harsh realities of my life. I knew he only loved me to stroke his own ego, he loved me only because he could control me. But he was kind, gentle and caring with me at times…i still felt loved…

…Did I want to leave this all behind..?

My mind fought with itself..i hated these conflicting feelings…i hated that i felt unhappy yet content with the way he treated me, though maybe it’s because it’s all I’ve ever known.

My train of thought was cut off when he went back inside the house. Now was my only chance. But what should I do..?

Finally making up my mind, I bite my nails anxiously as I peer down at the latch on the fence. Mustering up as much courage as I could, I open the gate with my shaky hand. My heart raced in my chest as my bare feet touched the cold concrete. I took one step, then another until I eventually ran. A few kids gave me weird stares for not wearing shoes, but I didn’t care since I was free!

Atleast that’s what I thought.