Escape this Hell

Chapter 1

"Please, don't take Christine! You've already have taken everything else from me, please… just don't take Christine!" he was on his knees and sobbing then without warning the gun went off.

I woke up at 7:00 am thinking about the dream I've been having, for as long as I can remember it's always the same dream, I can't see whose talking but I know it has something to do with me.

I get out of bed put out my outfit for the day on my bed then head to my bathroom to clean myself up. Sick of standing I turn off the shower knob and get out. Rapping a towel around myself then wiping the off the mirror for a better look at myself.

I look at myself and I see the scar on my cheek and the burse to complete it. No doubt that have to come with a story of how this happened: "playing with my dog to roughly", "I ran into a door", or "I tripped" those are always my excuses.

There was a light knock on my bathroom door, "Come in"

As the door opened my father appeared on the other side, as he comes in not caring that I only have a towel on, he looks at my face and smirks "Better cover that up good wouldn't want people to think someone is beating you."

"No, wouldn't want anyone thinking that" I said as look back in the mirror wishing I could tell someone.

"I want you wear something other then that God awful shirt" pointing at the simple green T-shirt on my bed.

"Why?" I asked curiously "I don't see anything wrong with it."

He looked at me then, I know that look it was the look of if-you-don't-do-what-I-say-you-will-be-sorry look. So save my self the trouble I simply said "Ok, I'll put on the brown sweater you got for me."

He smiled "Good, now hurry up or you're going to be late for school." He said as walked out my bathroom; when I was fully sure he was gone from my room the tears broke lose.

This wasn't new there is not a day goes by when I'm not in tears, doesn't matter if its day or night I'm always in tears. And the question that runs through my mind is what kind of father beats his child on a daily basis? Of coarse that question is never answered.

After a few minutes of crying I apply my make-up and head back in to my bedroom, hanging up my green T-shirt and pulling out my ugly brown one. If anything I wanted to burn it. After getting dressed I grab my phone and ipod putting them in my purse and go down stairs.

"Do want a ride?" dad asked as I grab a green apple and start walking towards the door.

"No thanks" I said politely but to him that's not what it was.

"Excuse me, I don't like your tone young lady, turn around tell me nicely that you don't want a ride." He said getting angrier at each passing word.

To avoid a morning beat down I turn around smiling, "No thank you dad I don't want a ride" Smiling and sounding sincere was endless.

"That's more like it. Now off with you!" He said and waving his hand as in to shoo me away.

Turning back to the door I open it and walk out of the house glad to be out the house finally. It was a nippy morning I walk down the street, as I walked my thoughts were wondering back to my dream, It's always the same dream someone is saying don't take me away. Away? Away from whom? I thought then that same person is saying everything was taken from him what else was taken from him? I also thought.

A little wind blew in my face snapping me out of my reverie and realized I was across the street from my school. I walked across quickly knowing class was going to start any minute.

After a quick trip to my locker the bell rang and started heading for my first period.

"Christine! Christine! Wait up!" said a familiar voice I turn to find Meg running to catch up with me. "I was waiting for you this morning and you decide to get here at the last minute?" She asked walking beside me now.

"I'm sorry I slept in late this morning and I was walking slowly" I said calmly with a small smile.

We walked in our first period class together, English, and Meg was talking about this guy she meet last night at Wal-Mart. I was half listening to what she was saying. Meg is my best friend; we've known each other since 5th grade and I tell her everything accept telling her my dad beats me.

"Christine…are you listening to me?" waving her hand in front of my face.

"Hmm what…oh yeah this guy at Wal-Mart he sounds really cute, what's his name?" I asked only so she won't ask what was wrong with me.

"His name…" the rest was cut off be the teacher "Good morning, people, I trust that the homework assignment is finished so hand it up" with that there was groaning and moaning but the students were handing in the assignment.

The next thing I knew I was accidentally listening to one of my follow classmate's conversation about a movie called Enough.

"Yeah I saw the movie yesterday it was so cool!" said Trevor I didn't talk to him but for some I was listening to what he saying.

"So J Lo's character is a wife who's being beaten by her husband so she sneaks out one night and disappears with her kid, but he keeps coming after her and after one close beat down she decides to hide her daughter with her best friend and she is trained to kick her husband's ass. She ends up really kicking his ass and kills him and lives happily ever after." Trevor concluded.

As I listened to the plot I couldn't help but wonder: Could I sneak away and disappear? But I would have no where to go, no other family members, no relatives, I was all alone. I would dare run to Meg's house I don't want her mixed up in any of this. No if I run away it must be only me be that knows that way it'll be the perfect get away.

My phone vibrated I made sure the teacher wasn't looking and I looked see that I had a text message from Meg.

"Earth to Christine are you OK you looked like your off in space" the text read. I replied "Yes I'm fine just thinking =)" About running away I thought.

My phone vibrated again this time the text surprised me "Were you thinking about the dream?" I turn to look at Meg and she this worried look on her face I couldn't tell her I thought about running away, to ease her worry I nodded then turned back. I had told Meg about my dream and also told her that it's always the same dream every night.

Another text came "Don't worry everything will be OK 3" I stared at it for a long time and I guess the teacher caught me "Christine, are you texting?" asked Mrs. Hues.

There was no point in saying no "Yes ma'am" I said as she walked over taking my phone "You can have back at the end of class" she said gently.

"I am too Mrs. Hues" said Meg I looked over at her and she had her cell phone ready to surrender it. Mrs. Hues stood there for a moment not believing what just happened.

"Thank you for you honesty Ms. Giry" taking Meg's phone and then asked the class "Anyone else want give their phones up voluntarily?" people looking around wanting to know if any one else would do it.

"No? Alright then" She turned back to black board to begin our today's lesson.

"You're crazy! Why would you give your cell phone like that?" I asked Meg as we made our way to my locker "Because I was the one who started texting you and you got trouble so naturally I'm taking my share of the blame" Meg explained as we walked to our 2nd periods, her second period and mine were next door so we walked each other to our second period.

"I'll see you at lunch, Christine" I nodded and walked into second.

My second class of the day was History, Mr. Jacobs popped in a video for the period which gave me free time to think about running away.

I would have to do it when Dad is working late; being head of a book publishing company he'll have his late nights and sometimes he brings home strange women and they don't leave til morning. And some of them caught sight of me they would stare at me as if I had two heads.

When Dad would want their number so he could have their pleasure again, they would look at me then refuse and walk out the door. Afterward he'd blame me and hit me for them walking out on him. Well I'm not going to taking it anymore, I'll have backpack ready for when opportunity comes and I'll simply disappear.

Before I knew it the bell rang for 3rd period not knowing when my chance for escape will be so I'd better make the best of school while I can. By the time lunch started I was nervous and excited for my plan, excited because I was finally going to leave. Nervous because I have no where to go.

"Daydreaming again? That's OK I got people to text anyway" Meg said taking out her phone acting she was texting.

"Meg, I'm sorry I'm not myself today" I said realizing how truthful that sounded.

"Straight up your not yourself! Come on you can't keep dwelling on that dream Christine, it'd not healthy if you keep doing that" Meg said as was preparing her salad.

If only she knew what I was really dwelling on "Meg doesn't seem odd to you that I'm having the same dream? How many people do you know that has this problem?"

"Not many"

"Exactly, I have the right to dwell on it because it's not normal. I'm not normal" I said as we sat down at our table.

"Christine you're as normal as they come. Look at yourself you've got good grades, great friends, meaning myself," A small smile came to me when she said that "And a great Dad who loves you" My smile dropped instantly when she said that. Oh Meg, if only you knew what was really going on I thought.

"Meg tell me about your Wal-Mart guy" I said giving her a distraction from me, she launched into her tale this time I listened. School ended all too quickly for me it was my only escape from home, that and Meg's house.

Meg and I walk out the doors and a gust of cold air blew in our faces "Argh, I hate Oregon when I graduate I'm moving to Florida where it's warmer!"

"Hmmm yes… nice sandy beaches, night clubs, hot guys walking around shirtless and oh yeah hurricanes" I said smiling while trying to annoy her.

"OK fine Miss put-a-down-side-to-everything! Maybe somewhere in California and its nice and warm there too" Meg said closing her eyes and smiling.

"Yeah not too mention the earthquakes…wouldn't want to miss that!" I said starting to let out a snicker.

"OK, if you want live then you better stop putting a down side to fantasy" She said jokingly.

We walked to her house and said our good byes I told her that she was my best friend ever and we gave each other a hug. 15 minutes later I'm walking up the stairs to my house not wanting to go in.

I unlock the door putting my school backpack on the couch deciding that I should take this time to get my other backpack ready for when my opportunity comes. I sprint upstairs not knowing how much time I have left before he comes home.

I pack two pairs of jeans, two shirts, clean underwear, two pairs of socks and some money. I store the backpack in the back of my closet so dad wouldn't see it. The phone starts ringing and run down stairs to see who it is, caller ID said it's my dad.

I decide to let it go not wanting to hear his voice, I starting walking away when his voice comes on the answering machine "Hey it's me, I guess your not home yet. I got to work late to night so I won't be home til 11:00 pm so you can call for pizza or Chinese. I'll see you when I get home"

I froze when he said he had to work late to night, this was my chance, a little sooner than expected, but still my opportunity has come and sure as hell that I'm going to take it. I'll to sneak away at around after five or so because it won't start getting dark til around 5:30. I decide to take this chance to eat something and pack a few small snacks.

It was around 4:45 when I got done eating I went upstairs to put my hair in pony tail I decide to have a lose pony tail considering I was in a hurry and my thick curls were to stubborn for any thing else. I made sure everything in the house was in its place.

I glanced at the clock then glanced outside it was dark enough to leave. Before going upstairs I want into the computer room to write Meg a letter. After writing the letter I went upstairs quickly to retrieve my backpack, putting on I walk out of my room without looking back.

But for some reason something told me to go in my dad's room, oddly I went not knowing why. I walk in the gray room turning the light I almost walking out when something caught my attention, on his bedside night stand was a golden locket. Curious I pick it up I examine it then open it up and inside was picture of a man and a woman and a baby.

I stuff the locket in my pocket and head for the front door making sure none of our neighbors see me I lock the door and I walk away not sure where I was going but one thing I knew I was free. I escaped this hell.

Half an hour later I was in front of Meg's house but only to deliver her letter. I climbed up to her window thankfully it was open she wasn't home yet so I put it where she would eventfully find it. I turn for the window and disappeared in to the night.

I ended up down town I looked at my wrist watch and it read 9:55pm I had to find some place safe to rest for the night. I rounded a corner when I almost ran into a group of men, luckily I managed not to run into them but I caught there attention.

Grabbing my arm to stop me he said "Hey cutie, what's your name?" the tall blonde one slurred.

I pull my arm free and try walk off but another one grabbed my other arm "Hey you! My friend asked you a question!"

"Leave me alone" I said weakly trying to pull my arm free.

"Looks like we got a got a feisty one on our hands boys!" they all laughed "Come on dude, let's take her to ally just around the corner form here, then we'll have some real fun" Said the one that grabbed my arm before.

"No please…" I begged knowing well there not going to let me go til they got what they wanted.

"Sorry girlie, but it's been a while since we've had some fun lucky for us you came along" the blonde one said as touched my cheek.

Suddenly without thinking I kick him in the groin and step on the one had my arm hard on the foot and I manage to get free but not for long the other two caught me by both the arms. I struggled and tried to scream but a hand came over my mouth.

"Take her to the ally now!" Growled the one I kicked and the two that had me were rushing into the ally.

"Alright she's mine first, little whore, I'll show you to kick me in the balls!" He had literally ripped away my brown sweater not that I cared I cared about my body that they were about ravish. I closed my eyes and prepared myself for the worsted.

"Let her go!" Came a voice cold and lethal.

They looked to see who was speaking to them I opened my eyes; thank goodness it wasn't my father, this man was tall, taller then any of the men that held me captive. I couldn't see his face but I could tell that he had something white on his face.

"I'm going to ask again, let her go." He said again voice still sounding lethal.

"And if we don't?" Asked the one who ripped my sweater away.

"Then we can do this the easy way…" then we all heard a gun clicking into place ready for shooting "or the hard way." the man said sounding like he was amused.

When they didn't listen he fired a shot near the blonde one's feet and just like that I was released and they ran off. I just stood there for a moment realizing what almost happened and what did happen.

"Are you alright? Did they hurt you?" he asked walking up to me slowly

I stood there silently not sure if I could speak.

"Did you hear me?" he asked gently he was a little closer now and make out some of his face he was wearing a white mask on the right side his face.

"I don't feel so good" I said as started to see stars dance around my face then the world went black.