Sunshine & Safety (Oak River Book 1)

Prologue | Rae Whitaker

Prologue

Rae Whitaker

Moonlight streaked across the floor of the living room, casting an eerie glow around me as I carefully walked across the room.

I made sure to avoid the spots that creaked so I didn't wake him up.

I had successfully snuck out of our room before without waking him, and I could do it again this time.

However, this time, I did not plan on walking back into this house.

I took a few steps and then stopped and listened to his breathing. He was still snoring.

The nightmares, the constant fear of “what if,” led me to this choice, and there is no way in hell I would change my mind this time.

I took a few more steps and my breath caught when I did not hear him snoring.

I stopped. My heart beat so hard, I was sure the sound of it could almost wake him.

Thirty seconds or so passed and he started snoring again.

I let out a quiet breath of relief and continued moving to the front door.

I passed by the wall of photos I had hung up, good memories, even great ones, with people who I love, and someone I thought loved me. I shook my head as if that would help erase the thought from my brain and continued to tiptoe to the front door.

I had stashed a duffel bag under the kitchen sink after work, with only a few things in it that I had bought at the store and a few essentials that I figured he would not notice were missing.

I then called my mom and asked her if I could come stay with her and dad for a few weeks.

She said they were out of town, but I was welcome to stay as long as I needed to.

She sounded concerned even though I attempted to sound as cheerful as possible.

I did not want to ruin their vacation, or make them come home early, so I figured I would tell them only what was necessary later.

No sense in them worrying since I was leaving anyway.

I quietly removed the bag from its hiding place and moved swiftly to the front door.

I paused at the door, wondering if I was making the right choice by leaving.

It’s not been all bad. Some days were better than others.

I turned from the front door to look back towards the living room and kitchen, and memories started to flood my head.

The first time we walked in the house, when my best friend brought her kids over for the first time and they took their first steps in the hallway.

But just like the good memories, the bad ones came flooding in as well.

I shook my head to try and clear the bad memories, then rolled my eyes as I realized how stupid that thought was.

I crept back over to grab the photo of my best friend and I, along with one of me and my parents.

I paused again by the front door to quickly put the photos in my duffel bag and turned to open it, but then I froze when I heard movement coming from the direction of the bedroom.

Movement followed by him quietly calling out “Rae? You in the kitchen?” I froze, forcing myself to breathe through the fear that welled up inside.

At that moment I decided this was the only chance I had, and I flung open the front door and ran out, not caring about any noise I made in the process.

I ran to my car, opened the door, threw my bag in, and hopped in as swiftly as possible.

Before I could shut the car door, I heard him calling my name and yelling something indecipherable.

Shutting the car door at least muffled his voice.

As I went to start the car, a light came on inside the house.

My hands were shaking so badly but somehow, I managed to turn the key and bring the engine to life.

I quickly backed out of the driveway and as I pulled onto the street he stood on the front porch staring at the car as I drove away.

For now at least, I could breathe and was safe.