Chapter One: Not Now
His fist flung towards her jaw and forced her down from impact. Her lip began to bleed as she lay on the floor. She began to stand when she was pulled up quickly by her hair. The girl winced and let out a small cry as she was thrown aside again. Her head hit the edge of a table and this time she didn't move. The man grunted and walked outside. The sound of a car being started was heard and then it drove away. The girl lay limply on the floor with tears clinging to her eyelashes. She struggled to stand and used the couch for support. She held her hand to her head as she walked to her room. She touched a white towel, leaving a red hand print on it. She went to the restroom and took a small washcloth, wet it, and held it to her pained head. Sango was the 16 year olds name. She turned on the shower and let the hot water run before getting in. She stared at the floor and watched blood drops rush away in the water. She quickly got out minutes later and brushed her hair, ignoring the pain. She pulled on some pajamas and walked to her room, locking the door.
The next morning, Sango woke up early and laid in bed for a moment. Nothing. She quietly got out of bed and turned on a dim lamp. She changed into black baggy cargo pants, a dark red shirt, and a long black coat. She pulled on her shoes and grabbed her backpack before walking out of her room. Sango went to the front door and went outside stiffly. She shut the door and sprinted down the sidewalk. She sighed and slowed down, looking back worriedly. At least she had made it out of the house alive. She stood at the bus stop with her arms crossed and head lowered. A group of kids walked to the stop laughing and then stopped to stare at her. They whispered and pointed at her and giggled. Sango's cheeks went lightly red and was thankful when the bus arrived. She got on and went to the back where she sat and glanced up to see the group take seats at the front.
It took thirty minutes for the bus to reach the school. Sango was the last to get off and walked alone into the school. She had no friends and a zero reputation. Rumors were always starting for no apparent reason, just to be mean. Sango shut her locker minutes later and walked down the hall. She knew people were staring at her busted lip and big black bruise on her neck. She pulled her jacket closer to her and went to 1st period. She sat in the back and shaded her eyes with her hands and looked at the desk. The booming voice of a man startled her from her daze and she quickly looked up. Her fear washed away when realizing it was only her teacher. Throughout class she took notes but wasn't paying attention much. She was too afraid and worried. How much more could she take from her father? When would she leave? But where would she go? She had money saved up from work in case of an emergency, but her whole life was an emergency wasn't it? She could take a train and just take off to Tokyo. It was far enough so she wouldn't be chased. Not like he would waste his time trying to find her anyway. She could go where no one knew her and she could start over. That's what she really needed. Just to get away.
Sango stood at the door of her house without making a move. She would eventually have to go in anyway. Sango reached for the doorknob when the door swung open. Her father was standing with a half empty bottle of whiskey in his hand. She stared at him silently and walked past him. She felt herself being shoved forward and heard the door slam shut. She looked back but he wasn't there. Sango regained her balance and went to her room. She shut her door and tossed her bag on the floor recklessly. Sango pulled out a suitcase from her closet and put it on her bed. Fine. She was going to leave and start a new life. She put all her clothes in it and the important stuff. Next, she placed the suitcase under her bed and sat down. If her father came back, she didn't want him to know what she was planning on doing. Would he even care though? He wasn't the type for asking questions, just hitting. Sango felt the back of her head, touching a long cut. She tore her fingers away from it and sighed. After all these years she was glad she was finally going to do something about it.
The next time she heard the door open, it was 10:15 p.m.. She heard someone stumbling about in the front and then heard a door slam shut. She sat quietly in the dark without making a move for ten minutes before peeking out her door. It was dark and no signs of movement. Sango pulled her backpack on and grabbed her suitcase. She climbed out of the window and ran down the street as fast as she could. She made it to the bus station and got in line. Her heart was pounding in her small chest as she caught her breath. Finally. She was free. Sango paid for a ticket to Tokyo and sat down. She held the ticket in her hand and stared at it. Freedom. She didn't know it could feel so sweet but it was a breeze.