Split Second Decision

The moss was cool and spongy on her little tanned feet. Each time she put her foot down she got a bit more wet. Crickets sang in the distance, cheerfully, hauntingly, they knew why she ran, why she tore through the forest like an army was chasing her. She had been running for a long time, much longer then just tonight.

Far back she had lost her shoes, her purse, her coat. Far back she had shed anything that would weigh her down. She ran like the wind, dodging this way and that, many of times being struck in the face by a branch or a vine. It was dark, and hard to see. She wove her way through her obstacles, avoiding them at all costs. That was the way she worked, avoiding all obstacles at all costs.

He had not followed. Like many times before, he had not followed when she ran. But she knew, somewhere, somehow, he would catch up to her.

Then it would be up to her to do what she saw fit, and for once she would be in control of her life and decisions.

He had never made her feel in control. In her Father's eyes, he controlled her. He controlled her even now, causing her to flee. Causing her to leave her not-quite-perfect life for one of hardships beyond all belief.

She knew he wasn't chasing her, yet she ran like her life depended on it. She had never been able to run all those times he had cornered her, had hit her, had told her she was worthless, only good for one thing. She couldn't run then, but she could run now.

And nothing and no one would stop her.

Read What Happened Before.