Into the Night

Let me tell you, about fear . . . I was laying on my bed when I sensed a foreboding, and saw the flash of a huge, sharp knife moving in the moonlight; knowing it was my abusive boyfriend drunk and crazy, it was not the first time, he had held that knife to my throat. I lived in dread, afraid for my life but was trapped, trapped in this horrific situation, I had left my parents home; but this time, I was overcome with fear- this was it, jumping up, I ran out into the street with no shoes, with nothing. Running and running to no where terrified that he followed, finally, I found an alleyway and sat on the cold ground; I leaned back against a brick wall and cried in dismay, all night I stayed there frightened of every sound or creak. In the daylight, a passing man handed me five dollars, and I went to a cafe, gulping down warm brew with thanks; thinking about my situation with apprehension and panic, free refills of coffee- oh thank you to that kind sir who passed. Reflecting, I realized that "he" had systematically, and with skill- got rid of every friend I had in my short life; I had no one to call for help, even my parents, then, I noticed a newspaper on a table someone had left. I picked it up and it opened to rooms for rent, and I saw a listing for a room in a townhouse with college girls; with trepidation I called and ended up on their doorstep, I had no shoes, my clothes were in disarray, my hair tangled. Telling them my tale with angst, they had tears for me, one said, I will get you some clean clothes and shoes,; they told me to stay as long as I wanted and needed to, from the basement they carried up a mattress and blankets. I think- I slept for a week, waking in great panic and fear, then, falling back when I realized it was a bad dream only; I was full of shivers and willies, fearful of all sounds, the girls encouraged me to call my parents and with unease I did. Within an hour my mother was there hugging me, my parents welcomed me home and dad bought me clothes; for a long time- I suffered from androphobia and xenophobia, but in time the heebie-jeebies left me, and I found me again. _________________ September 3, 2017 Narrative/Into The Night Copyright Protected, ID 936887 Written for the contest, Fear sponsor, Debbie Guzzi Sixth Place