Christmas Escape

Peyton The nurses said I was brave, the police said I was strong, what family I had left said that it was the right thing to do. But as I climbed off the plane in the middle of the tiny airstrip, on a blustering and snowy day that could only be described as bitter, I felt anything but strong and brave. I’d never been to Alaska in my life. I never thought it was even a place that one day I would visit let alone consider living in. Out of sheer fear and probably a moment of insanity I opened a map that I’d asked the nurse to bring me and closed my eyes, simply pointing to a spot. When I opened my eyes, my finger was pressed on the name of Badger Valley, Alaska. It didn’t take much pressing for my father to purchase me a ticket and within the week I was on my way. A cast covered my left arm, while I still sported dark bruising under my eyes. It was the last time I would ever allow a man to lay a hand on me. I’d made excuse after excuse for Jason throughout our entire relationship. Every bruise I had a lie for. But when he came home drunk and rampaging through the house this final time, I thought I was going to die. I closed my eyes and prayed that he’d make it a quick death. Instead, I woke up in hospital with tubes jutting out of my body. Four cracked ribs, a fractured eye socket and cheek bone. My nose broken and teeth knocked from the back of my mouth. My arm was shattered from where he’d stomped on me. My thighs had perfect boot print impressions. The following days in the hospital were spent in a blur of pain medication, police visits, my mother crying into my dad’s arms. The questioning of why? Why didn’t I tell them how bad it was? Why did I stay? All the same questions I’d asked for years. But I couldn’t answer their questions. I didn’t have an answer for why I stayed. I would’ve said at one time that it was because I loved him. However, the more I thought about it, the more I knew that wasn’t the truth. Jason was simply a nasty habit that I couldn’t give up. It was different now though. Here I was climbing down the steps carefully, hanging onto the railing and glancing out at the snow-covered surroundings of a tiny airport, not really more than an airstrip. Trees loomed in the distance; mountains surrounded the town. I was safe, I reminded myself as I stepped onto the tarmac and started towards the doors of the airport. Jason didn’t know I was here. He wouldn’t be able to find me. He’d been arrested and the prosecutor promised me that I wouldn’t have to attend his trial. The police and prosecutor said my statement and list of injuries would be enough. I held onto hope that it was true. The thought of facing Jason again was a terrifying prospect. I walked through the doors of the airport and felt my cheeks sting as the warmth of the building touched my frozen skin. Plastic chairs sat on top of blue worn carpet. An old laminate desk took up one wall of the room. A large man rugged up began to bring in bags of luggage from beneath the plane. I didn’t have much. Only one suitcase that Mom had purchased me and a few clothes to get me through. Dad organized me a room at a bed and breakfast lodge simply called Badger Valley lodge. Dad had chuckled commenting about the unoriginal name. But I was too lost to even think about it. Everything was moving so fast. I spotted my red suitcase and headed towards it. Plucking my suitcase out of the neatly stacked pile, I turned and tried to clear my mind so that I could work out where I needed to go next. I couldn’t remember if Dad had said there were cabs or uber here. I went towards the reception desk to enquire when I heard my name being called. Looking over my shoulder a tall man with long blonde hair and the brightest blue eyes I’d ever seen stood with a broad smile. He waved his hand at me and started to step forward. I glanced around, expecting him to be here for someone else. Which made no sense since I’d clearly heard him call my name. “Yes,” I replied with a slight frown of confusion. “Hi, I’m Micah,” he introduced himself with a grin that in other circumstances might have been quite infectious. The way that he introduced himself it was as if I was supposed to know who he was. The name sounded familiar, but I couldn’t place where from. “Sorry, I’m Micah Howards. I own Badger Valley lodge. Your dad contacted me and told me you were flying in today. I offered to give you a lift.” I sighed out a long breath and gave him a weak smile, nodding my head. “Thank you. I’ve been on a lot of pain medication, so couldn’t remember what my dad told me.” Micah chuckled and shook his head. “No problem. Is that your only suitcase?” he asked pointing at the red case that I held in my unplastered hand. I looked down at the case. I’d forgotten it was even there. Sudden shame engulfed me as Jason’s voice rang through my mind at how stupid I was. Tears started to burn at the back of my eyes. I glanced quickly back up at Micah. He frowned and then widened his eyes. “Hey, hey, it’s okay. You are safe here,” he tried to assure me. I swiped at the stray tears that had managed to slip from my eyes and smiled a wobbly smile. “Sorry,” I apologized. “I’m a bit overwhelmed.” “It’s alright. Your dad gave me a brief explanation as to what has brought you to Badger Valley. I promise though, that we are a great little town, and everyone is friendly and welcoming. There is nothing to worry about here,” Micah said as he took my case from my hand and turned beginning to lead me out of the building and towards the waiting town. I sucked in a deep breath. I hoped that he was right. I hoped that I had no more worries. I just couldn’t be quite as optimistic as Micah was. Not yet anyway.