Chapter 5: Into the Light
David lunged one final time.
But the blow to his head had thrown off his balance.
Elena slipped past him.
She grabbed Lily’s hand and sprinted toward the back sunroom.
The glass door stood between them and freedom.
She didn’t waste a second searching for keys.
She seized the heavy iron barstool.
With every ounce of strength she had left...
She swung.
The glass exploded outward.
Cold night air rushed inside.
Mother and daughter stumbled across the dew-covered lawn.
Elena scooped Lily into her arms.
She didn’t look back.
Ahead, flashing headlights turned into a neighborhood police cruiser.
A neighbor had heard the breaking glass.
Someone had finally called for help.
Six Months Later
The new apartment smelled like fresh paint and lavender.
Not strawberry bubble bath.
Not fear.
Elena stood at the kitchen island with a mug of coffee warming her hands.
Outside, Lily laughed as she chased a butterfly across the courtyard.
The dark circles beneath her eyes were gone.
So was the fear.
The television murmured softly in the background.
"...David Vance was sentenced yesterday to twenty-five years without the possibility of parole for domestic violence, child endangerment, and unlawful imprisonment..."
Elena picked up the remote.
She turned the television off.
Then she stepped onto the balcony.
Lily looked up.
She smiled and waved her teddy bear high into the air.
Elena smiled back.
The morning sun warmed her face.
The shadow that had once lived behind the bathroom door was finally gone.
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At last...
They were living in the light.
