Rolling clouds tumbled through the blue abyss as Sophie's cheerful voice echoed through the dense forest. “96,97,98,99,100!” Sophie's eager eyes peeled open as she scanned the dimming horizon; a ruffle of leaves set her ears off in the direction of the lake. She crept over the autumn leaves and into the looming forest. Unnoticed, a dark black shadow slunk through the leaves. She gasped. Heavy and raspy breathing flooded Sophie's right ear and she shakily turned around to be met with the face of the dark shadow… the shadow of her nightmares.
Her body bolted upright. Her nightdress was flooded with icy sweat. A dim golden light dribbled peacefully through the curtains. Her pillow lay in the corner of her room and Sophie's blanket was slowly descending off of her metal bed, onto the rigid oak floor beneath her. The buzz of traffic outside her window tuned in to Sophie's ears as the bedraggled girl dragged herself from her bed.
Her wooden closet leaned against the molding walls and the clothes she had set out the night before lay on her chair, immaculately clean. Just as she had left them. “First impressions count” Sophie reminded herself; for today she was to go out around the town with the Cullins. They were the the family she had heard so much about. She had heard the sad story of how their only Daughter, Poppy, had come down with cancer and how she had stayed in a perril and paralysed state for 2 years, stuck in her room unable to move. Sophie felt a terrible weight of sadness push through the room. But this was her big chance. Her only chance. Her chance to change her life. But somehow, just somehow, she felt as if the shadow of her nightmares would make an appearance...

​                                           Emma-Lynne
 

       She slowly crept up the basement stairs.  Knowing she could not hide from him. Her only escape was him passing out, which seemed in her mid to talk forever.  As Emmalynne slowly crept through the house. She knew her only salvation was tonight.
            He had drank two bottles of whiskey and if she was super quit she may get out.  She had planned this for months when he wasn’t around.  Emma-lynne knew it was him or her. She knew he keep the shotgun by the bed. Slowly and meticulously she crept up the staircase.  Fear climbed into her throat.  But she knew this was the only was out.
            She made her way the bedroom, when suddenly the wind gust in from an open window.  It made her jump, she never knew where he could be or could come in.  Emma-lynne’s long, chestnut hair blew in the wind.  She slowly made her way to his side of the bed.  She hesitated as she reached for the gun.
            After years of being an abused slave, she was going to be free.  Her conscience was getting to her.  It was 1059 and there is no protect for women.
She had to decide if this was her only way out.  Still her Christian beliefs were holding her back.  He could wake up at anytime.  Her heart raced like a  speeding train. How was she going escape or would her only option to be to kill him?
            Emmalynne’s head raced but she didn’t have much time, there was a noise downstairs.  Oh God she thought what if he woke up?  Her heart was pounding in her ears as she made her toward the dark hallway.  Fear gripped her chest and throat. Please god she prayed do not let him be up. 
            Emmalynne heard a yell for her from the stairs. She slowly, dreadfully walked toward the stairs
            Dreadfully and slowly she made her way down the dark hall toward the stairs. All her worst fears were coming true all at the worst time.  Suddenly he screamed bitch where are you? Her heart pounded and she knew what she wain for if she did not do something.  This was to be the biggest decision of her life.
            Many racing thoughts went through her. Suddenly he was bounding up the stairs. He started to beat her. The pain filled her body. There was no escape. She had no way to defend herself. Then she remembered the gun in her hand.
           She slowly backed up.  With a firm grip on the gun she fired. Her thoughts were racing. She backed up. She rushed past the body and ran out the front door.
            She ran with no where to go and no options.