Chapter 3 Escape

Isabella pov

It had been almost four months since my parents died and I was forcefully relocated to the countryside, a decision made by my only family Maria and Carlos, which I had no choice but to accept.

Ever since I had set foot in Vietnam a small town in the countryside where I live with my aunt and her family, I had never known peace, every day had been a day of constant torture and emotional breakdown.

My aunt and her daughter would always make use of the slightest opportunity they had to remind me of my misfortunes, she would call me names at times and tell me not to kill her the same way I killed my parents. Anytime she said those words it pierced deep in my heart like a knife and I would become depressed for days.

The Endless torture and suffering became so unbelievable for me that I decided to make a flee for my life, the first attempt wasn't successful but then after several thought on how to go about it I decided to make another attempt one weekend when I was saw blood in my urine, I knew that wasn't normal, I needed a medical attention and I am sure I could never get any if I continue to stay in that house, so I made up my mind that morning to escape at sunset.

It was getting very dark, walking down the street of Vietnam felt so strange and brought back some memories, but I cared no more not even about what might happen when it eventually get darker, as this was what I had planned for a long time but was too scared of dangers of escaping this horrible place at night, as the whole street was going to be very quiet as usual and only the sounds of birds chirping the wind blowing the trees would be heard, but my mind was made up because this was the only way to avoid getting married to an old man Felix who my aunt wants me to get married to because he would be of great advantage to us since he is a widower and has no child. This man should be in his sixties and old enough to be my great grandfather I told my aunt but was cut short with a thunderous slap on the cheek. Although he was very kind-hearted, living with him as his wife seems like a terrible nightmare for me and also the worst punishment ever.

Walking down the street with my head bent down, to avoid anyone who might recognize me and see me, the whole ground was messy, filled with water as it just finished raining. Suddenly the air became very chilly and the wind blew stronger, the thunder rumbled and was ready for a heavy downpour.

I increased my pace so I could quickly find shelter, then a thought crossed my mind 'What if they already got to know that I had run away and her tracing me ' I began to run as fast as my legs could carry me, trying my possible best to get out of the vicinity before the rain begins to pour heavily.

As soon as the rain began, the street got darker and I couldn't recognize or find my way. Looking around, it occurred to me I had run in the wrong direction. I began tracing my footsteps back, but it was too dark so I decided to keep walking, hoping to reach the train terminal where I could find shelter and spend the night before continuing my journey to Western Cape the next day where I could find my uncle Carlos who runs a bar at the outskirt of the town. I could remember vividly how I had left home twice to stay with my uncle for a few days when I quarreled with my mom because of my birthday party. She was totally against throwing a party for me insisting until I clock sixteenth which my dad also agreed with her. I was annoyed. I had longed for a party since my last birthday, which was when I celebrated my thirteenth birthday with my parents the same as every other year, and also when my friend's mom threw her a party that year to make her happy.

I jolted back to reality when I heard footsteps and someone calling out, looking around me I discovered there was a large field with lights everywhere around the field, I decided to hide from whosoever was coming in my direction. I was stopped in my tracks as I heard a loud bang, that was a gunshot. My mind screamed as I was too shocked to respond or react.

I couldn't move further, then I saw some men a few meters away, I could see one of them walking towards me but my feet were so heavy I was lost in thought and confused about what to do. I thought again in my mind that I had entered into the badlands. As he approached me, I heard someone shout my name Isabella! I felt terrified as that was my aunt's husband's voice. They must have discovered shortly after I left home that I had run away once again and had come looking for me.

I was confused about what to do, maybe I should tell the stranger coming towards me to please hide me from him or just allow him to take me back home to continue living the miserable life I was living. When my aunt's husband Richard got to us, he was immediately recognized by the man who approached me. They exchanged greetings, said a few strange words to each other, and then both laughed out loud. Before I knew it I was handed over to Richard. I felt disappointed, one look at him I saw scorn on his face, and I felt irritated by him. Richard said his goodbye although, in a strange language, I could guess from the look on his face that what he said was thank you.

With heavy hearts, I followed Richard walking quietly beside him with my head bent down, as I thought of all the worst punishments in the world I know of, and the one I would possibly be facing starting tonight, I wished I had died with my parents. I quietly sobbed all through the walk to his car and on the way home. Although I am still surprised at how he knew which direction I had taken.

Immediately we got into the compound and I alighted from the car, my heart started beating fast for fear of my aunt and her daughter because I am sure they must have thought and planned the worst way to punish me for trying to escape. As soon as the door flung open and I stared straight into my aunt's face, I could see different kinds of emotions displaying 'anger, fury, devilish ' and all, her daughter came up beside her and gave me a scorn and irritating look as I stared back at her with no emotion or expression on my face. Despite being a year older than her, I am secretly afraid of her because she is a good pretender, a terrible liar, mischievous, greedy, and temperamental as well as a feminist. One last look at my aunt and the direction she is facing, I knew what that meant. I was going to be locked up in the basement with no food or water until when their anger subsided, then the second part of the punishment would commence once I am out.

Quietly without hesitation, I walked towards the basement door, opened it, and climbed down the stairs without a second look at any of them as I already expected something worse as punishment for my actions when I got caught by her husband. Immediately I stepped on the last stair of the basement, I could hear a lock on the door outside which means I have been trapped there once again as this wasn't the first time. Although I was terrified at first, not anymore, not even now, my mind was blank and nothing was scary to me this time as the thought of all hope being lost made me completely out of my mind.