#Chapter 34: Runaway

Cathy

At first, I didn’t know where I was going. Before I left the estate, my body decided for me.

My heart whispered to the muscles in my legs and soon enough, they were weaving through the familiar forest. I had no fear, no desire to stay, just a picture in my mind of the one place I needed to be. I knew every footfall, every groove in every tree along the path, and every fallen trunk or notable pinpoint. Soon, I saw the weeping willow tree, signaling my long awaited arrival.

My prison cell had become my solace through the years. I was grateful for more space, more convenience in feeding my son, and the large area he could play without it being interrupted by trees. But I still felt like this was home.

I walked through the garden arch, looking at all the flowers that preserveered on their own. Most were dead, but it must have rained more out here. I stared at my spot on the swing that I used to read on, where I had no worry in the world, where the estate