1 Kai

Growing up, my life was perfect in every sense of the word. I had the perfect family and the best of friends a person could ask for but I lost it all for being a stupid 18-year old that fell for the worst man possible. I met Rick when I was a junior in high school and he was in his second year of college. Despite having everything I could ask for, I still felt that I was missing something so when Rick confessed he had a crush on me a year after meeting, I fell completely in love with him, or perhaps I was just too blind to see that he wasn't right for me. I ignored every advice I got from my brothers, parents, and friends. I was too deep into the relationship that I didn't see reason. I ignored everything because, at the time, I felt that Rick was the perfect fit for me.

Now, as I look back in time, I realize that I was just scared to be alone that I fell for the first lie a man told me. I fell for Rick when he said he loved me and that when we were both ready that we'd get married, have a family and we'd have a perfect life but it didn't happen. After graduating I left my house going against every advice my dad and brothers gave me. Against everything that I knew in life. In the back of my mind, I knew I was making a mistake but I still went and moved in with him.

We lived together less than a month before he did a complete 180 and began physically, mentally, and verbally abusing me to the point where I believed everything he said to me. Just like I had believed him when he said he loved me. He never let me leave the apartment we lived in unless he went with me. He made me feel as if I was worthless whenever he saw me look at a dress or a necklace on display saying that such beautiful things didn't belong on a ugly person like me. It hurt like hell every time he said those things to me and I did everything I could to hide it from him knowing that he would only laugh and ridicule me further.

It wasn't until I met one of his former friends that I realized that Rick was the devil in disguise. That he lured every potential victim in with lies and fake promises only to break them to the point of no return. John was his name, and he helped me in more ways than none of his other friends that knew what Rick was doing to me did. I was a stupid and naive 18-year old who should've seen the signs when my friends and family were against my relationship from the start.

"You're the definition of stupid, Kai," I said as I looked at my reflection in the mirror, "you wouldn't be crying yourself to sleep every night if you had listened to your family and friends when they advised you that Rick was not a good man"

I bit my bottom lip as I felt my eyes sting. God, what I wouldn't give to be back home with my family and friends again. As soon as I graduated, Rick and I moved away from Colorado to Washington forcing me to cut ties with my loved ones. But even so, I would go behind his back and text them once in a while to let know that I was okay, that I was happy even if I was breaking on the inside.

Growing up I was the happiest kid on the block but now that I was close to turning 20, I was anything but happy. I was miserable and I have no one to blame but myself for my misery.

"Kai, it's time" I looked at the door when I heard John's voice and I swallowed the lump in my throat as fear cursed through my body at the thought of leaving, "Don't even think about backing out now, Kai."

I took a deep breath and nodded grabbing the duffel bag that held what little clothes I had remaining from my move two years ago.

"Come on, we don't have much time. Rick will be on his way with the others soon," John said as he grabbed my bag and tossed into the trunk with his own duffle bag before climbing into the driver's seat and I filled close behind him. He reserved out of the parking space he was parked in before spreading down the empty streets towards the main highway that would take us to freedom, "get some sleep, I'll wake you up when we reach our first stop"

I nodded and tried to sleep but the thought of Rick coming to the apartment and not finding me sent chills up my spin that it made it hard to close my eyes. Instead of sleeping, I decided to just look out the window at the passing bindings as John drove further away from mine and Rick's apartment.

"How are we going to lose Rick if he comes looking for us?" I asked and he looked over at me when he stopped at a red light, looking every second behind us through the rearview to make sure we weren't being followed

"I know different routes to take that Rick doesn't know of, once we reach our first stop I'll be getting rid of my car because he'll look for it first when he realizes we're gone," he replied and I nodded and he turned his attention back into be road, making a left at the end of the street before speeding down the road and making a sharp right at another street and finally driving down the nearly empty highway. Seattle, Washington, was a beautiful city even if I never saw it outside of my window. The only time I was ever allowed to admire its beauty was when Rick and I had first arrived here.

The drive was filled with silence minus the radio playing Hey Ma I Made It by Panic! at the disco as John drove down the road before making the first stop in our 20-hour drive to Denver. He got off the first exit before filling the tank and going into the store only to come out a few minutes later with two bags filled with food and drinks. Once the tank was full, he pulled out of the gas station before driving again as the sun began to rise in the distance.

I looked at the time and saw that it was close to 5 in the morning meaning we've been driving for a little over two hours already.

"Here, I have a feeling you didn't eat anything since yesterday," John said handing me one of the bags when stopped at a red light, "eat whatever you find appealing and leave the rest for me" I nodded grabbing a granola bar, a bag of sour cream chips, and a bag of twirlers as well as a bottle of sprite

"Thanks" I whispered and he nodded before driving again. I opened the granola bar and took a bit instantly feeling tears sting my eyes. I haven't eaten in four days because rick always had something to say about my weight whenever I ate something that was high on calories. So I made myself only eat a small portion of food whence to have the chance or eat nothing at all.

A few hours later, at 8 am, we pulled into a car dealership and got out with John walking towards the salesman while I stayed back and just watched as they talked. Cars both used and new lined the parking space and I felt my eyes wander towards a beautiful black car at the end and wonder if I'll ever be able to own a car like that one.

"Kai?" I jumped at the sound of my name and looked up at John who gave me a small smile, "Sorry didn't mean to scare you, come on, I traded the car for a new one. I already took out things and put them, in the car" I blinked not realizing that he had done that. I just have been spaced out if I didn't bar him grab out things form the car. I sighed and followed him towards a white 2012 Toyota Camry. Just as I was about to get in, the salesman form before stopped me making me look over at him

"Are you okay? You seemed very skittish. Do you know that man?" He asked concern written all over his face and I nodded giving him a reassuring smile

"Yes, he's my friend" I replied and he nodded letting me get in but I could see him pulling his phone out of his pocket and dialing a number,

"What did he want?" John asked when I closed the door and I looked over at him to see the was looking at the man through the rearview mirror

"He asked if I was okay and if I knew you," I murmured and he nodded before getting out of the car and walking towards the man again and said something to him that had him widening his eyes before I saw him clench his jaw and nod his head before putting his phone away. John walked back to the car and turned the engine on before pulling out of the parking space and driving down the road.

I learned long ago that Rick was feared by a lot of people and never questioned it until John told me that he was the leader of a gang that resides in Seattle hence the reason why we moved here as soon a so finished school.

"What did you say to him?" I asked

"That Rick was after us. Rick has many enemies all over the country and that guy was one of them. He may work as a car salesman but that guy is also a gang leader. He despises Rick as much as anyone else does he assured me that he won't mention seeing us if Rick decides to look for us," he replied and I nodded liking out the window a John sped down the street.

My name is Kai Jacobson, and today for the first time in 2 years I felt free. I felt as fresh air filled my lungs the further away we got from Seattle and the closer we got to Denver. I knew my life won't magically go back to normal but I also knew that I had to stay away from my family and loved ones for as long as I can until Rick stops looking for me. I wouldn't forgive myself if anything were to happen to them because of me.

"Remember one thing, Kai, if you ever leave me, your little friends and family will find themselves 20 feet under, do you understand me?" I closed my eyes as Rick's words echoed in my head but I shook my head to get rid of his voice and the false memories I had with him and instead focused on my new life.

"Thank you for helping me leave him," I said looking at John who turned to look at me for a split second before looking at the road ahead

"I did what I had to do to get you away from him even though I know that if Rick ever found me that I'd be punished for it," he replied before adding, "if and when he finds me, you will be long gone from my side and in a safer place. I will make sure of that. I will never forgive myself if anything happens to you if Rick was to find us" I bit the inside of my cheek at his words, "Rick will not hesitate to kill us if he found us so when the day he finds me, I will make sure that you are not with me"

"How are you going to do that though?" I asked

"I know someone that will take you in and keep you safe until this whole situation blows over but for that to happen we need to be in Denver" he replied and I furrowed my brows in confusion but didn't say anything and instead just nodded and turned my attention once again to the view that flashed by in a blur.

Little did I know that my life was about to be flipped upside down yet again.