Page 2 of Vows In Corruption

How much higher can he go?

I don’t want to know the answer, I just press down on the gas some more and put even more distance between us and Charlie and mine’s past.

“He won’t change his mind. He won’t. Just take a deep breath and continue to drive.” I tell myself, trying to not to only bring the sweating to a normal level but to also bring down the frantic way my heart is beating.

I continue the mantra for a few more mile, both out loud and in my head. I also try to think positive thoughts, but it’s hard to when doubt starts to creep in every few miles or so.

Nonetheless, I don’t stop looking at the rearview mirror or the back seat.

A part of me wants to be proud. I was able to get Charlie out of that hell hole. I’m able to protect her, and give her the best life that I can. I was able to do the one thing that I set out to do since I found out about her and the situation she was in.

The cost is something that I will forever live with, but I don’t care. She’s with me, safe, and that is all that matters.

I have to believe that he won’t come for her.

I have to believe that he won’t go against his promise.

I have to believe, because if I don’t I’m going to spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder waiting for the other shoe to drop. That will never be a good life.

So I have to believe and I have to believe hard.

“Ella?” The little girl’s voice rings out from the back seat. Somehow I missed when she woke up.

“Yeah?” I look through the mirror, catching her eyes with mine.

“Can we get something to eat? I’m hungry.”

I give her the best smile that I can form through the mirror.

“Sure. We’ll stop at the next rest stop okay?”

She gives me a nod and closes her eyes again.

For the next few miles, we drive in silence. I should put on some music, but I don’t know what kind of music Charlie likes. I also don’t know what kind of food she likes or if she is allergic to anything.

I have a kid that now depends on me and I know nothing about her.

Maybe this is a bad idea.

Maybe I shouldn’t have done this. What if she has a worse life with me than what she already knows?

“Ella?” Charlie’s voice sounds through the car again.

“Yeah, sweetie?”

“Thank you for picking me up. I promise to be the best little sister ever.”

Tears start to take over my eye sight and a lump forms in my throat.

I try to push it all down, but my little sister’s words hit me way too hard.

Somehow though I’m able to push down the emotion enough to speak. “You’re already the best little sister ever. And you never have to thank me. I will always be here for you Charlie, no matter what. I will always be there for you.”

She gives me the brightest smile that I have ever seen and it just makes my heart swell so much.

In this moment, I know.

I did the right thing. Taking Charlie from the environment that she was in was the best decision that I could have made for both her and me.