One Ticket

"One ticket," the girl spoke, a black hoodie covering her pale face.

"Where to, miss?" the attendant asked, without looking up.

"Anywhere" pulling her escaping hair back into the hood, "the next train that takes me far away from here." The wind thrashed through the treetops, the sky above was dark and filled with rage, rain sweeping across the land.

A flash of lightning struck, causing the station to light up, and go dark once again. The girl turned around to look outside as the heavy rain drops streamed down the station window.

"Raining cats and dogs out there, eh" the man said, struggling to create some conversation.

"Yeah, um" the girl stuttered while reaching inside her pocket. She proceeded to dump a pile of crumpled bills on the counter, grabbed the ticket swiftly and walked toward the track.

"This is too much miss!" She continued towards the platform, her hoodie continuing to shield her.

The girl stepped up onto the train and took a window seat. As the train slowly pulled away, there was a man trying to catch it.

He was too late.

Exhausted and relieved, she fell asleep.

The large wooden sign above the door swung peacefully in the wind, 'Wintermount Delights; life seemed balanced again.

The heavy oak door squeaked as a girl entered. An old lady was taking a fresh batch of croissants out of the oven, infusing the shop with the comforting scent of those weekends at grandmas. This place felt like home.

"Hazel! What a surprise I haven't seen you in almost a month!"

The girl laughed, warmly. "Ms Johnson... Hi. I was actually just spending time painting my house, it's bee-"

"You're finally getting to it!" she said excitedly "after two years... I hope this means you're sticking around." Mrs. Johnson walked around the corner, arms open wide, giving Hazel a strong hug that gave her little space to breathe.

"Yeah," she replied, trying to wiggle out of the embrace, "It feels like home here. I think I am going to be staying here, for good."

"I'm happy for you hun" she paused, her hand on Hazel's shoulder. "What can I get you today?"

"A chocolate donut with sprinkles, please". A deep voice behind her said "make that two". She didn't even have to turn around - she knew he was drop dead gorgeous... and she wasn't mistaken. She walked across the room, sitting down at a table, the man following behind her. "Is this seat taken?" he asked.

The following year she felt fulfilled, happy...in love.

"Could I get one of those croissants?" Hazel asked.

"Make that two", a deep voice behind her added.

She froze, every part of her body became numb.

"Hello Hazel," he said, putting a hand on her back.

"Hazel! Who's this handsome young man?", Mrs. Johnson asked.

Hazel looked behind her shoulder, a tall, dark-haired man with piercing blue eyes stood before her. She opened her mouth but nothing came out.

"Lukas," he said, stepping passed Hazel to reach out, offering his hand to shake "Lukas Brown."

Brushing his hand aside, Mrs Johnson ran around the counter and hugged him. "Any friend of Hazel's is a friend of mine." she stepped back, releasing the hug. "This young lady has been here two years and won't tell us anything about her life before Wintermount. Could you let us in on her secret?"

Glancing at Hazel, Lukas responded "I would be glad to do that ma'am," Hazel turned to to walk out the door, but a secure grip grabbed her arm, preventing her from leaving. "but maybe another time... I should catch up with Hazel"

"Ah" she replied, clearly disappointed. "Alright, as long as you come back soon and share some stories."

Lukas came home with a box from Chanel - his favourite store,"Put it on". She did. It was strapless, silver and she hated it. She went to the bathroom to put it on and unsuccessfully applied foundation on her arm. Tbe bruises showed through and they ached.

A night at the Opera. Not much was said. Everyone looked with envy at the beautiful couple. If only they knew.

"Let's go." Hazel felt his hand forcefully grabbing her arm.

It was over, he found her. Lukas pulled her across the store and out the door, pushing her into the waiting car and slamming the door. She was numb and was having a hard time breathing.

He forced his face against hers and kissed her, that taste of bourbon and cigars was painfully familiar.

"Don't be so ungrateful. I came all this way for you." he pushed her back into her seat.

Hazel looked down, the familiar bruises were returning to her arm and the sickness to her soul.

Lukas started the engine and then the car was moving, the quaint town quickly fading away.

"Get up!" he screamed. Hazel took hold of the dresser next to her and got to her feet, "Why do you want to go back to New York?" he walked up to meet face to face with her. "Don't lie this time."

"I just need to see my brother," she said weakly, "He is sick - I...I need to see him"

at that moment, she felt pain in her stomach as if it were hit by a rock - he punched her.

"The baby!" she cried, "you're going to kill it!" she fell to her knees once again. He hovered over her "you are saying this like I care", and then walked towards the bedside table grabbing something out of the drawer. "What are you..." seeing what he brought out. "No, please no no no", she began to crawl out of the room. He grabbed her feet and sat on top of her, holding her down with one hand with the other occupied by the pocket knife his brother gave him last year for Christmas - the blade was out.

The car started to move, down a dirt road leading out of town. "Why are you here?", Hazel mumbled under her breath, "how did you find me?"

The knife was directed towards her stomach, "Please, no no no please stop no!" she cried as he slowly injected the blade into her, blood streaming down her sides. "Stop!" she yelled, but it was too late - the child was likely already dead. "You know I love you," he said once again, "but I can't let you go". He stood up, grabbed a towel and walked back. He pulled the knife out and she felt the blood running down her sides. After putting the towel over the wound, he walked out of the room.

They were going back. She would never be able to escape his cruel, controlling obsession. She knew that she could not return to what she had unsuccessfully tried to escape. Looking out the passenger window marveling at the beauty of the rocky incline and trees far below, a decision was made... Hazel would finally take control.

She leaned over, touched Lukas's hand and raised her face to his for a kiss. He looked down at her, triumph in his eyes. As their lips touched, she grabbed the steering wheel summoning all her strength to turn the wheel sharply towards the right. It took mere seconds for the car to become airborne. For the first time ever, she noted fear and panic in Lukas's eyes.

Finally, she was free.