Making a Clean Break

A young woman decides to make a clean break and leave her emotionally abusive boyfriend.

I was sure he would hate me for it, but I must go on. If I didn't do it I knew I would never complete this challenge or gain my freedom. Going on with the group was the best way.

As quietly as I could, I carried my pack out of the room. I was so glad he was taking a shower.

Ron didn't want to finish the trail. He'd had enough. He didn't want me going on because it would make him look bad. If we both quit, I knew he would blame the quitting on me. That was not going to happen. I could use the $1000 if I made it to the finish line by the end of the weekend.

I had plans for the money and those plans did not include him. In fact, I was going to start my life all over again. No more being his doormat. No more putting myself at the bottom of his list of priorities. I was going to put me first for a change.

I was going to complete the trail. A few other hikers were heading out at seven and I was going with them.

Since we arrived on the trail we had been surrounded by others. Ron had made a few of his snarky comments and a few other hikers had stepped up to defend me and he'd been angered by their intrusion. I felt the freedom of the crowd. Ron couldn't strip me of my dignity as he usually did with his words. The confidence I gained from that freedom, had me connecting with others.

This is how I managed to plan my escape when he began grumbling about not finishing.

"Come with us," Ginny had whispered when we headed off to the bathroom.

I knew this was my chance for a clean break. I was going for it.




Word count = 313 words


Notes ▼

Written for"Starting Stories"  Starting Stories:
Rules:
1. 13+ and lower
2. Prompt is replaced at noon on the first day of each month, so all entries for the previous prompt that is entered after noon on the first of each month is disqualified
3. No sex, nudity, homosexuality or transgender stories or your story will be disqualified without warning
4. Minimum 100 words
5. Maximum of 2,000 words
6. Enter your item in the {b-item} format in a post

New prompt: I was sure he would hate me for it, but I must go on. If I didn't do it...