Change of Plan

Cassandra packs her bag quickly, feeling paranoid. Her parents assumed she was moving with them, but she had other plans. She already made arrangements to move in with her friends and Natalia, her girlfriend. She was a legal adult and honestly excited to escape their tyranny. She was tired of it. She couldn't even be herself without being belittled or discouraged. Since she found out about Natalia, her mother hasn't spoken to her unless it was to undermine her. Her father just made snide little comments with a false smile and concern.

"I can't take it anymore."

The plan had already been in motion. Her parents had no access to her room, so they didn't see how empty it was. Aside from the article of clothes she needed and little supplies here and there. But, otherwise, it was empty. She and her friends had moved her furniture while her parents were at work. All she had to do is pack her bag and leave, even if she had to jump out of the window. She would be free of the tyranny, no more abuse to take. She breathes a sigh of relief, not hearing anyone else in the house. She softly opens the door, peering outside the room. The coast is clear, no one was home. The plan worked, all she had to was walk out the door and she was free. She smiles to herself as she walks out of the room. Suddenly, she feels someone grab her from behind. She freezes as they place a rag on her mouth. Did her parents plan this, did they know? And, how did they know? She made sure that everything was set, so how were they ahead?

"How?" She said as panic set in.

She kicks at them, trying not to breathe in the substance on the rag. She knows she has to breathe at some point, but already has an idea of what was on the rag. Her bag only hinders her ability to fight, so she drops it on her assailant's foot. He yells, dropped her momentarily. She breaths in quickly, grabbing her bag. Now, all she has to do is run.

"You little-"

She notices his face this time. The man in front of her is wearing a stereotypical black ski mask along with the sweatpants and hoodie. He's not small, but built well.

"Dude, it's the middle of the day. You look more suspicious than if you had just dressed normally. Plus, our neighbors don't even know us, so why-"

She cuts herself off and runs, now is not the time to ask questions.

"Why do I have to comment on everything at the wrong time?" She curses herself.

She wakes to find she's in the car, with her parents.

"What the hell?" Her head feels groggy as she sits up, hoping this is a bad dream. She escaped, right? She reached the door?

"Good morning, honey," Her dad smiles.

"What the hell is this?" She seethes

Did they hire someone, knowing this would happen? Just how far were they willing to go?

"We're helping you. Your 'friends', those people, were trying to poison your mind."

"Poison my mind? That's what you two are trying to do. You just want me to be the perfect little girl, and I'm not perfect. I'm me! Why is that so hard to accept?"

"US? Your freaks for friends needed to go, and so they're gone. And, don't worry about contacting them. Your phone is gone," Her mother spoke coldly.

She feels the rage course through her veins. They are set on ruining her happiness, brainwashing her into what they want. How was she to tell her friends, or Natalia? Natalia must be worried, freaking out even. It breaks her heart to know this, but now she's stuck. She has to find a way back.

"Where are you taking me, anyway?"

"A small place called Shadow Falls. It's quiet, and you'll meet new people. Normal people, no more girlfriends."

"Right, because Shadow Falls doesn't sound cliché or suspicious at all," She mutters, trying to keep her temper under control.

"What was that, honey?" Her dad smiles at her.

She knows her mother well. Her temper isn't any better, when it comes to anything she can't control. If someone is unpredictable, or doesn't do what she wants, forget it. So, all she has to do is provoke her. She'll stop the car and escape. She takes in her surroundings as the car moves. Her mother is driving on an almost dirt path surrounded by trees. It is clearly a wooded area, dark even. But, running into wolves sounds more pleasant than being with her mother. At least, wolves know how to treat their children.

"Hey, mom," She grins,"Remember when you met Natalia?"

There is a moment of complete silence.

"What?"

"I said, "She repeated, "Do you remember? She made you look like such a fool. I mean, you tackled her to the ground and she just spat in your face and called you a-"

Her mother stops the car. staring ahead for a moment. Cassandra doesn't waste a second. She grabs her bag, opens the door and runs.

"Where do you think you're going? Cassandra! Get back here, now!"

She hears her parents yells echoing through the woods. Just how far are they willing to go? Are they going to chase her now? She listens as she runs. They're still yelling, but the sounds the woods and her feet crunching on the ground drown them out. She notices how peaceful it is there and settles by a tree. She's out of sight and the woods are too dark to navigate. She found herself having trouble, but not as much as they would have.

"I think it's sad, how I had to train myself for this kind of situation,"She thinks to herself.

Living with her parents was ridiculous. The only time she was given any sense of clarity or relaxation was when they were asleep. She taught herself to navigate through the dark quietly as to not alert them. They usually worked during the day, but she had been at school during the day. So, she rarely had time to herself or to escape their constant abuse. The "family dinners" where her father would just scarf food down like a hungry bear and her mother just asked her questions. She'd ask how school was, or try to make normal conversation. But, it was the tone in her voice. That cold, undermining tone of superiority. As she kept thinking, remembering, she feels herself relax. She didn't feel the usual stress, but a sense of calm. Peace, even. The animals around her communicated with no care, but the sounds are calm.

"You know," She speaks to herself,"I don't think I've ever felt this calm. I was always awake around them, always trying to think of ways to be ahead of them. But, I feel calmer here in this dark woods than in my own house. How sad."

"Indeed, it is," A voice spoke within the woods.

She looks around, trying to survey her surroundings. Everything is dark, though. She notices what looks like a pair of eyes just staring at her. She stares back, unsure of who or what she is looking back at. With that, she begins to somehow feel tired. Her body is shutting down, and her vision becomes dark.