Chapter 1

I hung up the house phone and leaned against the cotton candy blue wall. I closed my eyes and exhaled after another long and endless argument with my mother. For the past three years since I ran away, anytime I talked to my mother it ended in a disagreement about me coming back home. But I couldn't. Not with Richie there. I heard the weariness growing in her voice each phone call. He's been abusing her, I knew it. Physically or mentally? I don't know. Probably both.

I couldn't think about that though. Not anymore. She's had enough chances to get away. I just don't understand why she would want me to come "home" to that. To get abused as well. For all I know my brother and sisters are getting beaten up too. Maybe I should go back to get my younger siblings? I'm sure Uncle Geoff wouldn't mind considering the situation. I should. Tonight. I should go in the middle of the night and pick them up. Leave a note3 letting my mom know where they are. Telling her not to worry.

I let the thought slip from my mind as I went upstairs to the guest bedroom which, is now mine. I've only added slight alterations that make it seem like it's mine. With the money I made from my waitressing job, I bought a new floral comforter and a matching pillow case. I also bought a pastel knitted rug that lays in the middle of my room. I feel like it's enough to symbolize that it's mine. Someone lives in this room. Someone who has their own personality and style. Someone who has a mind of their own.

My body felt like a ton of bricks while I walked over to my bed, before I fell down like a sac of potatoes. Then, a sob escaped from between my dried, cracked lips. My chest heaved in and out as tears streamed down my red splotchy cheeks. I gasped for air. It felt like I was drowning. But I knew this feeling. This is why I dread my mother calling. It would go away soon though. The throbbing would subside. My cheeks would turn back to their original pale skin tone. And the pit in my stomach would go away after making its round up to my throat and its escape from my lips.

I heard the front door close, and quickly sat up and wiped the remaining tears off of my face. I looked in the mirror and fixed my hair, trying to make it seem like I haven't been crying for the past half hour. I took the stairs two at a time, "Hey Uncle Geoff," I stated as cheerful as I could with a smile widening across my face.

"Hi Eleanor. How was your day?" He replied.

"Good. How about you?" I asked a little too eager.

"Well work was crazy... as usual," he said with a sigh. He continued talking, however I wasn't listening. I never do. This time, though, I was planning for tonight.