Chapter 1
Jo was in the kitchen making dinner while her 10 year old daughter Sonny sat at the kitchen table quietly reading a book. They both jumped as they heard the door open and Jo's husband Paul walked in. Paul walked to the fridge and grabbed a beer. He opened it and took a long drink. "How was work?" Jo asked making conversation. "Fine." Paul said taking another drink. He then walked into the living room where they heard him trip over something. "Oh no." Jo thought. "I forgot to put away some of Sonny's toys." They both jumped again as they heard him throw the stuff across the room. He came back into the kitchen looking really mad. He grabbed Sonny by the arm and dragged her into the living room. Sonny immediately started to cry which made Paul angrier. "How many times do I have to tell you to pick up your crap?" He yelled. Jo came into the room right as he slapped Sonny. She fell to the floor as he let go of her. He started to kick her as she lay there in a ball on the floor. "Stop!" Jo yelled. Sonny just lay there as he continued to beat her. "Paul stop!" Jo yelled again. This time he stopped and turned toward her. Jo backed away. "Don't you ever tell me what to do." He said as he raised his hand to hit her. Jo put her arms up to cover her face but wasn't fast enough. She felt his hand strike her across the face. He then walked away leaving them alone. Jo sat down on the floor next to Sonny. She pulled the little girl onto her lap gently. "We're going to get out of here. I won't let him hurt you anymore." She whispered. Sonny didn't respond. She hadn't said a word to Jo in months. Jo sighed. She took Sonny to her room and lay her in bed. Sonny rolled onto her side and cried out in pain. She closed her eyes and went to sleep. Paul had stormed out of the house so they were alone. She walked into their room listening for Paul. She grabbed a bag and started throwing clothes into it. She came back into Sonny's room and added some of Sonny's clothes to the bag. She placed it under the bed and lay down next to Sonny. She set an alarm on her phone and kissed Sonny gently on the head.
At 1 in the morning Jo was startled awake by her alarm. She quickly turned it off and listened to make sure Paul hadn't heard it. She grabbed the bag from underneath the bed then woke Sonny. Sonny rolled over and whimpered in pain. She sat up slowly. She looked at the bag of clothes that was sitting on the bed then over at Jo. "Sweety I need you to be really quiet. We are leaving. If we wake Paul we won't be able to leave." She whispered. Sonny nodded. Jo picked her up grabbed the bag putting it over her shoulder. She walked out into the hallway slowly. She made it to the door and opened it as quietly as she could. She stepped outside and got Sonny in the cab she had called. The cab driver pulled out of the driveway and drove towards the airport. She had been saving money for tickets for her and Sonny. They were going to Seattle. The cab pulled up in front of the airport and Jo grabbed Sonny and the bag of clothes. She paid the cab driver and went into the airport. She checked in for their flight and sat down to wait. Sonny was asleep in her lap. She stroked her head and rocked her gently. They were eventually able to board their plane. They got on and sat down in their seats. Jo covered Sonny with a blanket. She closed her eyes as they waited for the plane to take off. Eventually the plane took off and they were on their way to seattle. She kissed Sonny on the head again. "You'll be safe now sweety. I promise." she said falling asleep next to her.