~seven years earlier~

-Harper

I watched out the windows of the camper as we climbed another windy dirt path. A week ago, my parents announced that we would be moving from our small cabin to another one further north. While most 16 year olds would be outraged at being uprooted from their lives, their friends, and their schools; I was more than happy for the change of scenery. I was no stranger to moving, as we had more times than I could count on both hands. Staring at my reflection in the door window, I can't help but wonder what kind of life I was missing out on. Most girls my age were worried about boys, prom, and college; whereas I could never even dream of stepping foot in a school let alone making friends. I twirl a strand of my auburn hair between two fingers, staring into the reflection of my own hazel eyes. I'd always held out hope on eventually escaping my parents and running off into the real world, finally set down roots and have a secure home to go to each day. The stress of moving and the weight of my mothers stare in the rearview mirror mixed together, creating a sinking feeling in my gut. My mother had to run into town a week back and I had begged to tag along, hungry for any contact with the human world, and promising to be on my best behavior. That promise proved to be too hard to keep, because as soon as we'd parked at the store she ordered me to stay in the car. Only, I didn't want to stay in the car, I had freedom right in front of me, and as soon as she had disappeared from the corner, I whipped my door open and started running.

Five minutes had passed and I still kept pushing my legs to go faster, the burn almost intense enough to knock me out. After almost an hour of running I slowed my place, my lungs burning with a need for oxygen. I couldn't believe how easy it was to escape, after months of threats, and "lessons" learned. A small part of my brain nagged at me that it was too easy. I tried to shake the thought from my head and focus on finding somewhere to hide for the night. Mother would eventually give up on finding me for the night, for the threats they claimed lived in these woods. After a few minutes wandering the woods I finally find what I'm looking for, a river. I rinse some of the dirt and sweat with handfuls of the water, immediately feeling a small bit better. Bending down I cup my hands together to grab a mouthful, My throat burning from the crazed sprint id just put my body through. Staring down at my reflection, I barely recognized myself. My hair was wind tousled and tangled, my thin face streaked with mud, and my eyes sunken in, most of their sparkle gone. I can't help the tears that drip soundlessly down my face, my heart breaking.

Prior to trying to escape a few months ago I had weighed nearly 100lbs more than I did now. My face full, smooth freckles skin, and bright hazel eyes. I wasn't the biggest girl but I had decent curves, But now? Now I looked like a walking skeleton. The lessons my parents taught littered my skin in various bruises, scars, and marks. This isn't the time to be crying over such stupid shit but.... my heart breaks all the same. Leaning back down, I grab handfuls of the cool water and splash it on my face, though no amount of scrubbing would fix the pain. Just as I open my eyes, a scream becomes lodged in my throat. Standing across the river stood mother, and she looked almost feral.

"Harper honey" The words are drawn out And thjck with fake sweetness that turns my stomach. She was really really mad this time. The only other time I'd seen her like this was when I ran the first time, but even then she still appeared to be normal, at least at first glance. "I thought we learned last time that a good girl, is an obedient girl, and only good girls get to go outside." I flinch back at the reminder, horrifying images flashing through my head of the most recent lesson I had been taught. "I-I'm sorry Mother." The hairs on my arm all stand on end as she slowly steps though the river and over to where I'm still crouched on the shore. "Shhhh sweet girl. It's all gonna be okay. We're gonna go back home and have a serious lesson about why it isn't safe for you to wander off on your own" Before I can protest she has her arm around my throat, the world getting darker, before finally passing out.

The lesson my parents taught me that night is one I'll soon never forget. I hadn't eaten more than a morsel or two a day since then, not allowed to bathe, or sleep for more than an hour. They claimed it would show me the world that awaited me beyond their walls, but I know there's more to the world than this, and I wanted nothing more than to see it. But after that lesson, I knew there was no way I was going to ever see a world beyond my own. Especially when each time I even so much as stepped toe away from home we packed up and relocated, with me being "laid down" for most of each move so I could never fully get my bearings on where we were. This time was no different. The last thing I had remembered was running from mother and her finding me. When I woke up, we were already heading up a small, narrow dirt path on the side of the mountain. I knew now that this, this was all I was ever going to be. The realization made my stomach drop, as well as my hope for getting out of here.