Chapter 1

Azalea stayed still, her body halfway out the window of her second story home. Her long, brunette hair was pulled back into a high ponytail, her chocolate eyes fixated on the door handle of her bedroom. In her backpack slung across her shoulders was two pairs of clothes, a box of granola bars, water, and cash. A lot of cash. She listened intently to her father, drunk and shuffling around downstairs. He mumbled to himself, occasionally cursing at the furniture for being in the way. It was 9:37 at night, on a Thursday. Azalea's throat was bruised and her side was sore, but the pain didn't bother her as she waited for her dad to settle down.

Azalea's father was a respectable man in public, owning one of the restaurants in town and running it successfully for 12 years. At home, he was a tyrant and an abuser, taking no time to prove that he was powerful and strong and could easily control whoever he wanted whenever he wanted. Of course, when Azaleas mother left, Azalea was the only one left to use all this power on. His name was Henry Caldridge, married to Alisa Caldridge for seven years, until she vanished on August 5th, Azaleas eighth birthday.

Azalea held a lot of resentment towards her mother, for leaving her with this cruel cruel man. On Azaleas fifteenth birthday, her father accidentally admitted that he knew she wasn't his daughter, and that her mother had had an affair. After years of not even receiving a "Happy Birthday" from her father, it was quite shocking to find out he wasn't even her dad.

A cool breeze brushed her leg, and brought her back to the moment. She heard the tv from downstairs, and her father opening the recliner, opening a can of some sorts.

"Time to go." Azalea thought to herself, climbing the rest of the way out the window, closing it slowly behind her. She crept along the roof, making her way to the tree at the side of the house. She gently grabbed the rope that held the old tire swing, and took a long breath. The rope was old, but sturdy, there were knots tied in it, making it perfect to climb up and down on. After her feet landed on the grass below her, she crossed the road and didn't dare look back.