the morning was brisk

the crisp of the leaves falling down felt like freedom

she knew it was the day

she packed up her things leaving nothing but a hairpin behind

she was going to have a new life

in a new town

and a new beginning where she could breathe

where she could be happy

as she gathers her last pieces of sedimental evidence

she hears footsteps

could it be her brother? no, these were not just any footsteps

these were the kind of footsteps where you know impending doom is on its way

her door bursts open

she coward in fear

she thought this was the day

he took her belongings and threw them in the dumpster out back

he grabbed her by the throat and told her

“you will never be able to get away from me”

he locks her in her room

as she throws up on her sheets

unable to go to the bathroom

she can’t breathe

I thought this was the day, she said to herself

it’ll never get better

she thought

she remembered he had thrown out everything

except a tiny little pill bottle that was rolling

on the floor as if it was calling to her

she opened the bottle

took a big chug

she espcaped

for good

all in a golden afternoon

under sky’s of cloudless blue