The First Escape | Teen Ink

The First Escape

May 12, 2011
By PaigeStreet PLATINUM, Juneau, Alaska
PaigeStreet PLATINUM, Juneau, Alaska
47 articles 0 photos 218 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Stay golden"
- Johnny (The Outsiders, S. E. Hinton)


Everything was in its place. And still, still and quiet, which was not really quiet, being an even texture of creaking walls, ticking clocks, and breathing. Both her parents’ bedrooms emanated a slow, steady breathing. [K] stood still, becoming a part of the silence.

Her knees were locked, and her knuckles were stretched with the tightness of her fist, for nothing the house was as loud as her heartbeat and slow breathing. She waited, it seemed time. It had seemed time for an hour now, and so she started to move one foot at a time to her window; slowly, slowly. She surprised herself with the loudness of her steps. She hesitated, then pushed the cold glass open with one smooth thrust.

Open!

The air was fresh and cold. Freedom had never felt so full of hesitation, it seemed to her, as she planted her bare foot on the sill, grabbed both sides, and pulled herself through, sitting on the sill to slide down. Fortunately, the layout of the first floor windows beneath her provided a small but shingled awning just below her window. She stood on this to turn around, closed the window (though not completely), and, softly jumping into the loamy garden, she was out! She was not so concerned with being quiet now. But oh the thrill of freedom!

She was as afraid as before, and as nervous, too, but it was no longer a stiffening fear that locked her knees and elbows; it was a loose, fluid fear that chased through her veins and sped her heart with icy fuel. Everything seemed so much clearer, and so much closer. The outside is not so different from the inside after all, she decided. At least, it didn’t feel much different. Just more open and omni-directional; not so square and angled. She breathed in the possibilities.

It was not so cold after all.


The author's comments:
Down the hall, through the door, along a line or across a room. These are the rules of walls and windows.

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This article has 5 comments.


on Aug. 5 2011 at 2:57 am
Love.Hate.Passion., Spring Valley, Illinois
0 articles 0 photos 356 comments

Favorite Quote:
~Hope. Faith. Love~
~Be proud of who you are.You are all unique in a different way.~
~I WILL NOT fade into oblivion , and become less than
a distant memory.~

I don't see how you only have a couple of comments. You are awesome! I loved this story and I enjoyed being drawn into it. Great job!

on Jul. 27 2011 at 12:51 pm
NinjaGirl BRONZE, Valley City, North Dakota
1 article 0 photos 202 comments

Favorite Quote:
The only thing holding us back in life is our desire to stay where we are and not venture further.
~Some random person on the Internet :P

I really like this! It's mysterious and suspenseful. Great metaphors. Well done. :)

on Jun. 9 2011 at 3:05 pm
PaigeStreet PLATINUM, Juneau, Alaska
47 articles 0 photos 218 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Stay golden"
- Johnny (The Outsiders, S. E. Hinton)

Thanks, guys :)

This piece is especially important to me, since I'm going to be moving out of my house this summer. I am afraid of the cold, sometimes. 


on Jun. 7 2011 at 1:11 am
Ellyn-Cross BRONZE, Juneau, Alaska
2 articles 7 photos 4 comments

Favorite Quote:
I believe in getting into hot water; it keeps you clean.

Gilbert Keith G. K. Chesterton

The valley of the shadow of death holds no darkness for the child of God. There must be light, else there could be no shadow. Jesus is the light. He has overcome death.

Dwight L Moody

The silence isn't so bad, till I look at my hands and feel sad

I am in total agreement with this

on Jun. 2 2011 at 11:04 pm
RheaD.Ravenfinger BRONZE, Juneau, Alaska
4 articles 0 photos 94 comments

Favorite Quote:
1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Beautiful. And I mean every letter of the word beautiful. True beauty. YOU'RE AN AMAZING WRITER!!!! AHHH!! IT'S SO COOL!