I crouched to the ground as I neared the cement slab and looked toward the left. I saw a sliding glass door and felt my stomach knot.
Maybe the fact that there’s no furniture out here means John doesn’t use that room.
I didn’t know whether my thoughts were based on wishful thinking or fact but the area looked unused, and the plants surrounding the slab were overgrown and unkempt. Yet without curtains on those large double patio doors, I could be putting myself in the center of his crosshairs as I scurried by. There was no way to know if the room leading out was a den, a kitchen, or even a master bedroom, but time was ticking, and I needed to decide. I sucked in a deep breath and knew I might be running for my life in seconds. I wasn’t wearing the best shoes for an all-out sprint, but I had to go. It was now or never. I counted backward—three, two, one—and ran past the glass doors with everything I had.
I rounded the wall and pressed myself against the side of the house. I didn’t hear the doors opening, footsteps on the cement, or a bullet being chambered.
I made it.
After a few calming breaths, I looked out at what lay in front of me. I could run through the field until I came upon something or someone, but I’d be visible for quite a distance. Without trees, bushes, or boulders as cover, I’d be a sitting duck if John came looking for me. Taking the route of the woods on each side of the driveway would allow me more opportunity to remain unseen until I reached the road and found help. I ran for the woods.
When I reached what seemed like a safe distance in, I looked back at the house from behind a wide oak tree. I memorized the entry points, the windows, and the location of that outbuilding. With the garage door closed, I couldn’t see what kind of vehicle was inside or if one was even there. I had no way of knowing if John was home and abusing Jesse or if he was gone. I’d reach the road in a few minutes but remain out of sight until I found a house. That was when I’d flash the only official thing I still had with me—my badge—and hope a good citizen would let me use their phone.
The road was just ahead through the tree cover, and I prayed I’d see a house once I got there. All I needed was a house, a friendly face, and a telephone. I continued on and reached the blacktop a minute later. I climbed up the loose gravel to the road’s edge, looked both ways, and saw the rooftop of a barn about a half mile farther up the road. A house had to be on that property, and I willed myself to believe it. I looked back at the woods where I’d be safe, but the underbrush would make running impossible. A half mile wasn’t far, and I was fit with long legs. I’d be there in five minutes. I remained on the shoulder and began jogging in the direction of the barn. It was my only option, anyway. If I’d gone left, I’d have to pass the house and outbuilding even though they were hidden from sight by the woods but running toward danger was never a good idea.
I was getting close. I could see the full barn, and it looked as though a second rooftop was just beyond it. A parked vehicle came into view seconds later. My heart pounded with excitement at the realization that John’s reign of terror was about to end. The driveway was only a football-field length from me when I caught sight of a vehicle rounding the curve ahead and coming my way. I had no choice—the woods were my only option and I hoped the driver hadn’t seen me. The gravel gave out, and I felt the rocks spin under my shoes when I tried to climb down the embankment. I was slipping, and I couldn’t catch myself. I fell and landed on my backside and elbows, but it was the sound of squealing brakes and a car door opening behind me that told me to scramble to my feet and run with every ounce of energy I had.