There wasn't going to be another chance. Fuck… How many years has it been since I've been free? Probably over a decade. I lost count. Freedom had always seemed like a distant dream, but now… It was then or never! I couldn't keep living with that psycho bitch, and I sure as hell couldn't let her keep influencing Ayano. I don't want to think about what could happen to her if Ryoba influences her too much. The poor little girl is broken enough without a goddamn psychopath influencing her.
I sighed and finished packing a single suitcase. Plenty of money I withdrew from the account, some clothes, and Ayano's things. I packed us a meal for the train and tucked the tickets into my coat pocket. Ok, I got clothes, food, money, new phone, Ayano's clothes, her medicine, her toys, I got pillows, and I got a place to stay once we get out of town… So close. So close to the outside, to freedom, to truly living again.
I knocked on Ayano's door to get her attention, "Baby, are you ready to go?"
"Yes." She replied to me in her usual, flat tone that she used in pretty much every conversation. I knew she couldn't feel much, but she always sounded and looked so sad.. I think that would break any dad's heart at least a little. I opened the door and looked to her with a bit of a smile.
"Come on, we need to get going."
"Where are we going, Daddy?"
"I'll tell you when we get there, Honey. It'll be fun, we'll get to spend some time together, just you and me."
"I don't think Mommy will like that very much." Ayano stood up and walked over to me, her expression blank as ever. I gulped a little before shaking my head.
"It'll be ok, Baby Girl. Come on, let's get going." I picked Ayano up and set her on my shoulders before grabbing our bags and beginning to leave. This was it. We were on our way to freedom. A new place, a new life, and most importantly, a life without Ryoba.
We went all the way to the train station without being noticed. Perfect! I was on a roll. I got us situated on the train and gave Ayano one of her toys so she could entertain herself. She wasn't all that interested, but I appreciated her trying for my sake. Sometimes I felt bad for bombarding her with things all the time… I just wanted to see my daughter smile. A real smile. Some way, somehow, I want to make my little girl happy. She's the only reason I have keep living. I have to protect her. Maybe taking her away from her mother is wrong, but I can't let her be like Ryoba. She's too precious to become a monster.
"Oh, hi, Mommy." Ayano said blankly, out of nowhere. I felt my heart sink into a bottomless pit almost immediately as I looked up to see my smiling wife before us. She grinned and set her suitcase down at my feet before taking a seat.
"You forgot your cellphone and debit card, Darling! Thank you for this surprise vacation, it's so romantic of you!" She leaned across the row to kiss me then whispered, "If you ever try to escape again, you'll be below the basement. Got it?"
I nervously nodded, feeling all color and life draining from me, "Sorry, Darling… I hope you enjoy the vacation."