Claudia had had enough. After two years of abuse, both physically and verbally, she couldn't take it anymore, and decided to leave. She had been with Eric long enough. Eric had been a decent guy at first, but then, he had started to change. One night a week, he would go out with his friends and she would go out with hers. Claudia started to dread those nights for he always came home drunk, and would often hit her and call her names over the littlest things. Eric was a construction worker, and sometimes after work, he would go to the bars and get hammered before coming home. His drinking just got worse and worse, and the more he drank, the meaner he was.

Claudia was scared to call the police or to even tell her friends and family what was happening, because he had threatened her with a knife, telling her that if she told anybody, then he would kill her and them as well. Claudia didn't have any bruises on her face, but she did have them all over her body, and even in summer, she found herself wearing pants and long-sleeved shirts, so nobody would notice. She used to love to go to the beach, but no longer would, because she didn't want anybody to see her in a bathing suit for they would see all the bruises. Claudia lived in Missouri, and decided to move to Georgia. She had visited there years ago, and really liked Atlanta. The people there were very friendly and made her feel at home. Luckily, Eric never knew that she had visited there before, so he would never know. Claudia planned on changing her last name. Her last name was Reynolds, and she decided to change it so that Eric wouldn't find her. She had thought about changing her first name, too, but figured it would just be confusing if someone were to call her by that name.

Claudia had her last name changed to Simpson, without Eric knowing, and even got a new ID and social security number, and opened a new bank account. She planned on renting a small apartment or at least a small house for the time being. Maybe in the future she would get something bigger. Claudia had long red hair. She cut it short, and dyed it blonde. Once that was done, she was hardly recognizable. She got a new passport, a new everything. There was a loose floorboard under the bed that Eric never noticed, and that was where she had everything hidden for her escape.

Eric, of course would do the typical, "Sorry I hit you. Here's some flowers." It happened every time. Not this time. Claudia had this planned for months and secretly had everything arranged. She was going to miss her family and friends, but she would find a way to somehow contact them without Eric knowing.

Claudia wrote a note to Eric before taking off for the airport.

Dear Eric,

I loved you, but a person can only take so much abuse. You have threatened to hurt me and my family, and you have hit me and bruised me to where I'm ashamed to show my body. I can't go swimming anymore because I don't like the way I look in a bathing suit. Nobody deserves that type of abuse. Nobody. Man or woman. I am moving away, where you will never find me. My family and friends don't know a thing about this so asking them will be pointless. If you want a wife and kids someday then you need some serious help. Goodbye.

Claudia

Claudia left the note on the kitchen counter, grabbed her bag and left the door, slamming the door shut behind her.