Sadistically Sweet (Watty Awards Finalist 2012)

Escaping My Jail

I held my side and bit my tongue to prevent myself from screaming. A fire burned in my side, keeping me crouched over on the ground. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't keep the tears out of my eyes.

I couldn't help but worry about the baby growing inside me; my baby. Could it have been hurt when I was pushed down the stairs? Could I have had a miscarriage?

My mind raced with terrible thoughts, but I could only pray that the pain would fade and my baby would be all right. No matter how much I despised Francis and hated his guts, I could not have spite against this child. Like Olivia, it wasn't its fault that its father was a screw-up; more like criminal.

Even thinking that Francis was this child's father made me almost puke. He had done so much to me, and now I was going to bring his child into the world. That child would always be labeled as a child conceived from rape; unwanted.

No child should feel unwanted, even if its father is a rapist. I could give the child the love it needed to overshadow his evil, but I could only do that if my child was alive. What were to happen if the child was raised with him? Would it turn out s terrible and sadistic as Francis?

Another wave of pain swept through my body and I couldn't help but scream in pain. I sucked in a deep breath and bit my tongue again; I would not let this pain win.

After several minutes of being huddled in the fetal position, the pain began to fade. There was still a dull twang when I took in a breath, but at least I could work with it.

I took a weary step to stand up, bracing myself against the wall. I praised the Gods that the pain subsided because it was anything short of a miracle.

I looked down, placing my hand on my lower stomach.

"Come on little one, were leaving," I announced to my stomach.

With Francis gone I could finally escape and have my freedom.

At first I checked the door to make sure it was locked, and of course it was. I knew what I had to do, and this time I wasn't afraid.

I looked towards the, now closed, window. I was on the second story, but the fall would be worth it. Slowly but surely I took one step in front of the other until my toes were parallel to the window. Without another thought, I pulled open the window. A large gush of wind whipped in the room, but I wouldn't let it push me back; I was determined to escape.

I straddled the window sill like before, but this time I knew I would fall. Carefully, I swung my other leg over the window until both legs dangled over the hard ground. The sun was due to set soon, but the glorious outside was still was one of the most beautiful things I ever saw.

Closing my eyes, I pushed myself off of the ledge and prepared for the fall.

My golden hair flew behind me as I descended down. Like a bird flying for the first time, I was joyous to taste the sweet air against my body. In those short seconds, I went from being a prisoner to a butterfly gaining her wings.

My legs took the force of the blow, but it probably wasn't the best thing for my ankle. I fell to my hands and knees with the wind knocked out of me. I gasped for air, but fell to the ground in agony; the pain came back.

I held my side again, and sucked in a deep breath. The pain wasn't as bad this time, but I still cried out once I caught my breath. Unlike last time the pain faded quickly and went back to a dull twang.

The adrenaline pumped through my veins, making me push myself up and break out into a run. Dashing around the house, I whipped my head around and searched for the dreaded truck. Yet it was nowhere to be seen; Francis was gone.

I pumped my legs and ran with all my strength away from the house. No matter how much my side ached, I wouldn't stop. I had finally gotten free.

When I reached the end of the makeshift dirt road, I almost broke down in tears to see the main street again. Nausea swept over me, causing me to bend over and grip my stomach. When it passed, I scanned the road for clues as to where I should run.

If I ran to the left then I would be going closer to town and my home, but it was most likely that Francis went that was also. Although if I went right I would end up deeper in the woods and I didn't know if anyone lived that way.

The sun was setting and I knew it was time to decide. My gut was telling me to go right, the way that would send me away from town. The only thing keeping me back was the fact that I could be walking to my grave. What would happen if no one else lived past this area? What would I do if the road ended?

With a knot in my stomach I began to run along the road to the right. I didn't even look back as I ran, silhouetted against the setting winter sun.

Bud: Uncle Bud. How had I forgotten him? I know I hadn't been to his house since I was a toddler, but I can't believe I would forget that he lived out here! I didn't know where exactly, but it was at least a strand of hope.

I don't know what got me thinking about Uncle Bud, but I am glad I did. He wasn't really my uncle, but he was always there for my family when we needed him. He was also my dad's partner and best friend; the closest thing to an uncle I would ever have.

Now that I had I destination, I was able to push myself further to reach my goal. Once I got to Bud's I would be able to contact my father or even have Bud there, with his gun ready to protect me.

My insides ached with a pain equivalent to earlier, but I wouldn't let it cripple me. I had to push on! If I gave up now then my pain would be for nothing! I had to go on, if not for me then at least for the sake of my child.

With complete freedom so close yet so far, I couldn't help but think about what life would be like when I got home.

How would mom and dad act around me? Would Greg stay home from college if he was too worried about me? The last thing I wanted to do was become a burden, so I knew I had to keep their lives on track. Just because my life was derailed, doesn't me theirs has to be too.

How about school? Could I just go back and pretend like nothing happened? Would I even be allowed to go back after missing two months of school? Did I even want to go back to a place where everyone would point and stare? That is what they would do. Sure, some would be sympathetic and kind, but most people would just whisper. I would just be the girl who was kidnapped.

Most important of all, what would I do with my baby? Could I actually get an abortion? No. I know many people probably would expect me to, but I just couldn't do that. It was against my own personal morals to take away the life of my child, even if it was the spawn of a cursed man.

So what would I do one I gave birth? Would I give up for adoption or keep the child as my own? It was my baby, but was it possible for me to look at the face of my kidnapper for the next eighteen plus years? How strong was I? Could I even handle that?

I tried to keep myself from wondering about the what-ifs. I could worry about those later, when I was in the comfort of my home. For now, I trudged on.

I had to guess I was at least halfway to Bud's house, if not further. The sun had set and my world was swallowed by darkness. I stumbled along, trying to see but failed miserably.

I was in no shape to be running like I was either. I hadn't eaten a proper meal and held in down for days, plus I was pregnant. My side ached and ankle threatened to buckle, but I kept at it.

A few times I fell into ditches, but I would just pull myself back up and keep on my path. It was in one of these times that I saw a pin needle of light up ahead.

I was pulling myself out when I saw the lights. At first I was about to run out into the road, but then I remember that Francis was lurking these woods too. He could be the person I was just about to ask help from. What was I going to do?

The lights neared and I knew I had to decide; fight or flight? I knew what I had to do and it was risky, but hopefully worth it.

I pulled myself out of the ditch and stood on the side of the road, waving my arms. This was it. That person would either be my savior or condemner and I was about to find out.

The lights neared closer and I uttered the first words I had spoken since I escaped.

"Help!"