Safe and Sound

I held Lily close as the screaming went on. Outside in the living room, our parents were fighting again. Mom always accuses dad of cheating when he comes home drunk and smelling of different types of perfume. It always ends up in him beating her until she apologises. Whenever I sense a fight about to happen I pull my little sister, Lily, into my room and lock the doors. I try to entertain her with whatever I have as a distraction from our parent's bitter and harsh words.

But that was three years ago. Ever since, the beatings have gotten worse. Eventually my mom committed suicide from the pain "dad" caused, if I can even call him that anymore. He practically killed his wife and our mother. When that had happened, I was 12 and Lily was five.

Because mom had killed herself, our so called father had to take his anger out on something else...or someone. I tried to stop it, but I would always end up being knocked to the ground left to bleed to death. He would come home and grab Lily and start screaming and hitting her. I always would defend her and eventually he'd come for me instead. I would yell at Lily to run to my room and lock the door and to not come out. That happened every night.

But not tonight. I've delt with the pain for another three years and I can't handle it anymore. Tonight I was taking Lily and making a run for it. I searched the house for all the money I could find. I ended up with $50. I knew that wouldn't last us long but maybe I could try to find a job once we got far away from this place I once called home.

Lily was in her room packing her belongings. I told her to pack light because we'd be traveling a lot. I just grabbed a small backpack and filled it with some clothes. I mostly put food and water in it though because that's what we would need the most.

Lily walked into my room with a small backpack and in her hand was her sock monkey she would never part with. "Cassie, I'm done."she said. She sounded frightened but glad to be leaving. I gave her a nod and finished packing.

I held Lily's little hand in mine as we walked out the front door and onto the sidewalk. This is it. We were finally leaving. After all those years, we're free.

We had walked a couple of hours and was now somewhere in the forest. I knew Lily was tired but she didn't say anything. The sun was going down so I found us some shelter under the roots of a tree that were sticking out. Did I mention these trees were huge? Well they are.

I sat there holding Lily in my arms. The stillness of the forest was calm and peaceful. The silence was broken by Lily's quiet voice.

"What will we do now Cassie? Where will we go? We have no home ever since daddy took mommy away from us." These were the words that brought tears to my eyes. Never once had I cried in my life. Even from the beatings out dad gave me. Not one tear had ever flown from my eyes, until now.

"I don't know Lily, I don't know. Let's just pray we'll make it through. And that mom is watching over us. Lily listen to me when I say this. I will never let anybody hurt you ever again, I promise." My voice had cracked at the last word Isaid and slowly a tear rolled down my cheek, followed by dozens more.

Lily always loved it when I sang her to sleep so I started to sing a soft melody:

I remember tears streaming down your face
When I said I'll never let you go
When all those shadows almost killed your light
I remember you said
Don't leave me here alone
But all that's gone and dead and passed tonight

Just close your eyes
The sun is going down
You'll be alright
No one can hurt you now
Come morning light
You and I'll be safe and sound

Don't you dare look out your window
Darling, everything's on fire
The war outside our door keeps raging on
Hold onto this lullaby
Even when the music's gone

Just close your eyes
The sun is going down
You'll be alright
No one can hurt you now
Come morning light
You and I'll be safe and sound

Oooooooo
Oooooooo
Laaalaaa
Laaalaaa

Oooooooo
Oooooooo
Laaalaaa
Laaalaaa

Oooooooo

Just close your eyes
You'll be alright
Come morning light
You and I'll be safe and sound

Ooooooooo
(repeat 13x)

I looked down to see Lily resting her head on my lap and sleeping peacefully. My last thought before I drifted into sleep was "I know we'll make it."