Run Away

O N E

It was getting late and I was supposed to be heading home by now. But I just couldn't. I didn't want to go home to my dad. But where else would I go? "Sally, its closin time. Time you be heading home now." I sighed and picked up my backpack. "Night Ronny. " I waved at him not knowing if it'd be the last time I saw him...The last time that I saw this shop. I swung my backpack over my shoulder and started walking down the cold damp street. "Hey sweetie. Why don't you come over here and have a drink with us?" I paid no attention to the men in the alleyway and sped up. This was a nightly routine but I never seemed to get used to it.
      As I arrived onto my street I saw my dad through our living room window. He was yelling at James and Emma. Probably about something ridiculous. I slowed my pace and looked to the ground. He no longer hid abusing us. Everyone in our neighborhood knew. Even the police knew but my dad has brainwashed my siblings so much that they still choose to defend him. As I stepped onto the creaky steps I took a deep breath before opening my front door. "DID I ASK YOU TO TALK?!?" at this point James and Emma were trembling as tears streamed down their faces. "What took you so long to get back? " He spoke sternly but still continued to stare at my siblings. "I-i had to f-fill in for Patricia " he nodded once and looked over at me. "James, Emma, go to your room " they nodded and quickly ran off. "Next time your back late I will force you to quit. Do you understand me? " I nodded quickly. "Now go to your room before I have to punish you too. "
   I scrambled off to my room and shut my door so he thought I went in my room. I quietly opened James's and Emma's door and stepped in. They were huddled together on Emma's bed as she sobbed into his chest. James has always acted more mature than he should be. They were so young. So innocent and all I could do to protect them is put myself in their place. But even that didn't stop dad. I squatted down to their level and pulled them close to me. This time wasn't as bad as the rest. Emma had a bust open lip and James had a bruise on his cheek but that wasn't even the worst they've had. James has had three concussions, two broken ribs, and a sprained ankle. While Emma has had two broken fingers, a broken nose, a black eye , and a fist full of hair pulled from her head.
  Dad was never like this before mom died. We were all a happy family. He had a good job, loved his wife , and had a good solid relationship with us. But when Mom was murdered in 2006 he had quit his job, started drinking, and eventually started abusing us. He swears that once the guy that killed mom gets out prison he's going to kill him.
  That night I slept in their bed with them hugged close to my chest. I didn't fall asleep until early morning but that night my siblings seemed so sweet that I couldn't help but think of how happy they used to be.