Chapter 2: The Outside

I opened my eyes to darkness. I raised my head and looked about. It was late, so late it was almost morning. No one had even looked for me before lights out. Was it always this easy to slip away?

I blinked the sleep from my eyes and slid down. I grinned wryly, imagining what would have happened had I slept until sunrise.

I sneaked to the house. All was silent. I crept around, keeping my ears alert, but the coast was clear.

Then I broke into the kitchen by the window. I proceeded to send every morsel of cooked meat on the highway to my stomach.

It felt good to be full. I hadn't been full in a long time.

I broke the lock and stepped into the hallway. I listened. Nothing.

Next, I promptly made it to Madam's office. One of the perks of being a slave here: I knew this place like the back of my hand. I could get from anywhere to anywhere else in next to no time. I broke the lock on that door, too.

I searched. First, I looked for my identification papers, which I tore to itsy bitsy shreds. Then I looked for anything that might be helpful to me. After riffling through a drawer, I would upset it on the floor. I broke the desk. I dismantled her swivel desk chair and ripped the cushion. I also pulled down the shelf.

A nice mess, if I do say so myself. I was proud as I surveyed the damage. Also as I patted the fat wad of cash I had found in a locked drawer.

I quietly leapt out the window again.

I walked over to the tree. Grabbing my backpack, I descended to the barn to say goodbye to the only friend I had—the cows.

They were asleep, but I spoke until they heard and recognized my voice. They couldn't see in this darkness; however, they still replied softly to my whispered farewell.

I trailed through the pasture below the barn until I arrived at the low, stone wall. Sitting on it, I looked back at the house. The only place I had ever known.

And hated.

Time to leave it all behind. Despite the fact that I had lived here all my life, it did not feel strange at all to go. I was here, bit this was not my home. The sky above me was as wide and brilliant as the world before me. I was leaving this cage behind. I would never see it or its inhabitants again. Good riddance, too.

I jogged through the bush beyond the wall until I reached the tarmac road. It was long and straight and empty on both sides. I flipped a coin on which direction to take.

Then I ran.

I ran slowly at first, then faster and faster. Nothing stood in my way. No one tried to stop me. The cold, night air joined me, rushing past. It filled my lungs and lifted my hair. It sang in KY ears, urging me to go, go, go! Even at this speed and in this darkness, I saw everything perfectly and sharply.

I felt a sensation of elation fill me to the brim. It was like running was a part of me. It was like that was what I was supposed to be doing.

Faster and still faster.

About two hours later, dawn touched the sky with pink fingers. I watched the horizon blaze a brilliant gold, then slowly recede to light blue.

It was majestic.

All nature has always been wonderful for me. That's why I never minded working in the barn. I had a knack with animals.

I arrived at a tiny little town.

I walked aimlessly in the streets that were barely astir this early in the morning. People gave me odd looks, and I wondered if I was out of place.

When I looked at the faded, ill-fitting overall, I groaned.

Of course I was out of place. These things were bound to catch eyes.

I ducked into an alley and hurriedly changed into something less conspicuous. I dumped the overall there.

As I slipped out, I bumped into a big man.

He was big and burly. He had cropped hair and thick eyebrows. He was wearing a pair of huge black boots. His smile was soft and kind as he gave me the once-over.

"Good morning, child," he said in a big, pleasant voice.

"Good morning, sir," I replied respectfully.

"What are you doing outside so early?"

"Uhh—"

This was early?

"It's not that early, sir. I always wake up around this time."

He arched an eyebrow. "What about breakfast?"

Oh.

"Uhh, well, I didn't have any."

He looked me over once more, and I fidgeted uncomfortably.

"Are you in a hurry to get to wherever you were going?"

I wasn't going anywhere in particular so... "No, not really."

"Good. Come, I'll buy you some breakfast. I'm offering."

"Wh-what? No, of course not, sir, I mean... And besides, I'm not hungry."

At that very moment my stomach rumbled loudly, like it was pissed with me for lying.

The man chuckled lightly. Stretching out his hand, he introduced himself. "You may call me Travis. And your stomach says you are hungry so don't argue."

What could I do? I shook his hand in both gratitude and embarrassment. "Thank you," I said, quietly accepting what he was trying to give me.

Travis led me to a small, empty diner. He picked a table. When the waitress brought a pair of colorful leather books, he told me to pick what I wanted.

I gazed in wonder and awe at the vibrant pictures in the book. All of them were mouth watering. At the orphanage, we only ever had porridge for breakfast, so this was undoubtedly going to be the best breakfast I could remember. I licked my lips. Let's see... Eggs, eggs, lots of different egg dishes, then there were numerous pastries of which I had never heard, then meats, so many appetizing meats. Then came the teas. I wondered how there could be so many different types of milk tea, and even more of black tea. Maybe it was the spices, which of course I knew nothing about. Pictures filled me with anticipation. I wondered how much of this guy's money I could use. I subtly glanced up at Travis. He was typing rapidly into his phone, not paying me any mind. I watched him for a few moments before he looked up.

He smiled his very nice smile. "Are you done choosing?"

"Y-yes, I would like this uh, backon and eggs," I told him. Of course I wouldn't pick something too expensive.

He chuckled softly as he waved the waitress over. "It's pronounced as 'bacon', sweetheart," he said.

My cheeks burned in embarrassment. I held my tongue as he placed my order as well as his own— some sort of coffee I didn't know.

My food came presently, and I took a bite.

It was heaven.

I proceeded to wolf it down like my life depended on finishing it in given time. Travis watched me in amusement, tranquilly sipping his creamy coffee.

When I was done, I leaned back in my chair and sighed, content.

Travis smiled. "So..."

I watched him swirl his drink. He gave me an eye that was plainly curious.

"You haven't told me your name yet."My eyes widened. "Oh! It's uh, Heather," I said truthfully. I was changing my name to forget about the orphanage.

"Heather," he repeated like he was testing to see if he'd gotten it. "Well, Heather, I'd like to show you something."

He placed his empty cup on the saucer and stood up, his hand in his pocket. He came round to where I sat.

I felt a painful jab at the back of my neck.

"Ow," I yelped, pulling a tiny syringe from there. I frowned at it in confusion. "What's this?" Suddenly, my vision blurred, then cleared. Then blurred again, and cleared again in time for me to see his slightly panicked face as he pulled out another tiny, loaded syringe from his pocket. Another prick landed on my neck.

"What?" I whispered faintly as my consciousness was robbed away.

Darkness.

***

"Please, Gerald!" she gasped.

"Can't you understand, you stupid woman? I don't want her. I don't want her!!"

"But... But none of this is her fault."

"No... It's yours."

"But— but what was I supposed to do?"

The voice faded away, more a confused plea than an answerable question.

***

A/N

I'm such a dear, am I not? I got her out if the orphanage and gave her nice food! Reward me for my goodness and click the star below👇

Love you all💜