Home At Last

WHACK! The sound resonated in the room. I fell to the ground as my tears clouded my vision. “Don’t you ever deny my orders again” yelled Tom as he stomped out. Misery filled my stomach as I spent another dreadful night with my foster family.

 

 My name is Natalie Edwards. I live with Tom and Lauren, my foster parents in Buffalo. I was sent here after my parents died in a car crash a year ago.

 My life is a living nightmare. Every day I live in fear. Fear of getting hit, fear of not getting a meal and fear of staying here forever.

 

 One night, as I stayed up late completing my homework, I saw Tom come into the house. He was waking funny, like a model on a runway.

 I hid behind the curtain while he sat on the couch. I saw him sipping from his beer bottle and undoing his shoelaces. When he finally let his head rest, I tiptoed to my room. But just as I opened the door, it let out a loud creak.

 

 He got up. We exchanged looks. His forehead filled up with creases. I knew nothing good lay ahead. Would he hit me? Lock me in a room for a week?

 I took short tensed breaths and stared at the floor.

 What happened next, I could’ve never foreseen. He threw the alcohol bottle on the floor and saw it shatter. He then picked up a shard of glass and glared at me.

 

 I begged him to let go, but he walked closer. He flung the glass at me as I tried to flee. I got cut and saw a river of red flowing out as he picked up another piece. But this time I ran in. I shut the door behind me and bolted it.

 

 THUD THUD THUD, he banged at my door. I knew that staying here would do me no good. I summed up all the courage in me and made the decision.

 I grabbed a bundle of money, a bag of clothes, a bandage and my shoes. I climbed out of the window and looked at the starry sky. I didn’t have the slightest idea of what lay ahead, but I knew anything would be better than this.

 

 As I fled into a horizon of new beginners, I felt a feeling of euphoria in my gut. I wasn’t a prisoner anymore. I was free.

 

 I caught a train to Edison. Between the punching of my ticket and the announcement from the driver, I noticed myself smiling. It had been a while.

 

 I got down at the station and got hold of a local map. I pinpointed the location and started my journey towards happiness.

 I arrived in an hour. I sat down and let out a sigh of relief. I rested my head against the stone that read ‘Emma Edwards’ and fell sound asleep. I was home at last.