The knocking on the door grew louder, more insistent, like a drumbeat in my chest. My heart raced as I felt the panic rise up my throat. It was as if they were on the verge of breaking down the door. I could hear the wood creaking under the pressure.

They're going to kill us. This is it. This is the end for us!

My mom's voice trembled as she handed me a bag. "Darla, listen, you have to leave. Now!" She said hastily.

I could see the fear in her eyes, but also a determination that made me trust her.

I refused, tears welling up in my eyes. "What about you?” I could feel my voice cracking as I spoke.

As we stood there, the sound of footsteps echoed outside, heavy and menacing. My mother's eyes locked onto mine, her gaze filled with a mix of fear and determination. "I have to stay back and stall them. Don't worry, I'll be fine. I'll meet up with you soon.”

She has always been my rock… and I don't think I'm ready to let go of her.

“No, mom! I can't do this on my own, and I won't let you stay here and risk your life!" I pleaded, hoping she would listen.

It's all I've ever wanted - someone to listen. Someone to stay with me. Someone to hold on to. But, everytime I feel so close to having it… the world takes it away.

First it was with Dad, then Jacob, and now… Daniel.

Maybe that's why I want to keep this baby. So that I can have someone who wouldn't leave, who would trust me… someone to hold on to.

My mother tried to reason with me, but I shook my head, tears streaming down my face. "No, mom, no! I won't leave without you. I can't lose you too. I've already lost Jacob and Dad, not you too. I just can't!" I felt a lump form in my throat as I spoke, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Why do I have to leave you behind?" my mind raced with panic. "Why can't we just run away together?"

"Listen to me, honey," My mother grasped my face firmly, forcing me to look at her. Her hands cupped my cheeks, wiping away tears. "You're bold, brave, and beautiful, just like me. You'll be fine. And I'm proud to be the grandmother of your child.” She placed a hand on my belly, and I felt a surge of love and fear for my unborn child. Her words were laced with a mix of sadness and hope.

Hope. I know that feeling. It's the worst. It's like getting a ‘We’ll get back to you’ after an interview session. We both know that's a lie. And I've fallen a lot of times for this lie. Don't worry, you'll find out.

Tears flowed down her cheeks as my mother continued, "You'll make a wonderful mother, Darla. But you must leave now. Go to the shipping dock and find Mr. Leo. Tell him 'Ana 1920' and he'll know what to do. He'll give you an address; go there and stay hidden until you give birth. If I survive, I'll come find you.”

The door burst open, and my mom pushed me towards the back door. "Go, Darla! Run!" I heard her yell, her voice echoing in my mind as I ran.

I had no time to argue and hastily made my way out, hearing my mother's final words: "Stay safe, Darla. Until we meet again.”

As I emerged from our house into our neighbor's backyard, I could feel the cool night air on my skin, the grass beneath my feet. I made my way through several neighboring houses, my heart pounding in my chest, until I was five houses away.

Just as I was about to run towards the shipping dock, a deafening gunshot shattered the air, freezing me in terror.

My heart stopped. I couldn't breathe.

No, it can't be! Right?

The sound of her voice echoing in my head was replaced by the deafening gunshot and the silence that followed afterwards. I knew that sound, and who it might have silenced - my mother.

She might not be dead, right? She might still be alive, and bleeding, and… dead.

A blood-curdling scream echoed in my mind as I stood paralyzed, my eyes fixed on the spot where I had left her, a scoff of disbelief escaping my lips.

Tears burst forth like a dam breaking, blurring my vision. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks - I was now an orphan. The pain was suffocating, crushing my chest. "No! NOOO!" My muffled voice shattered the night air as I held my chest, wincing in pain, my body dropping to the ground.

And then came that feeling I knew all too well - despair. I always know it when I feel it.

It was the same feeling I felt when Jacob died. The same feeling I felt when I was unable to land a stable job despite graduating with a good degree. The same feeling when dad started drinking. The same feeling that came when I found out about his huge debt. The same feeling I felt after his demise knowing that his debt was on us now. And now… it was here again.

Whenever that feeling of despair came over me, it always wrecks me in the worst way possible, laughing at my predicament.

Its taunts and mock became my determination to be better, just so I would never have to hear it laugh at me again. Still, it won.

"I'll never forgive you, Daniel!" I spat, my teeth clenched in rage and grief.

But, no! This time I'm not going to let it pull me down. I may have lost all the happiness in my life but I have something else to live for now. And that's all that matters. My baby.

I'll live for my baby. I'll live for my soon to be family… and for Paris. I'll live, Daniel. I'll become better. I won't let you hurt us again.

With a newfound determination, I began to run for my life, my feet pounding the ground as I fled towards the shipping dock. My mother's final words echoed in my mind, pushing me forward.

As I ran, the emerging darkness seemed to swallow me whole, the only sound being my footsteps and heavy breathing. I didn't dare look back, fearing what I might see. My mind raced with thoughts - "What if they catch up to me? What if I can't find Mr. Leo?" But I pushed on, my determination to survive driving me forward.

The dock was far, and I ran tirelessly until nightfall.

Finally, I arrived at the dock, exhausted and out of breath. I asked around for Mr. Leo and was directed to his ship. "Ana 1920," I whispered, my voice trembling.

Mr. Leo turned slowly, his eyes narrowing. He dismissed his conversation with the person he was with, and I saw his face for the first time - a stranger to me. "What did you say?" he asked, his voice low and urgent, taking a step closer to me.

Did I say it wrong?

I felt a shiver run down my spine as I repeated the code, my breathing ragged. "Ana 1920."

Mr. Leo's expression turned grim, and he gestured for me to follow him. "Come aboard, quickly."

I hesitated for a moment. Can I trust him? Well, I don't really have a choice here. It's either him or the assassins, and I'm not ready to die.

With a resigned sigh, I boarded the ship, the salty sea air filling my lungs.

As we sailed away from the dock, I turned to him, my eyes welling up with tears. "She's not coming." I said, my voice cracking.

Mr. Leo's face softened, and he put a hand on my shoulder. "I'm sorry, kid. I'm so sorry." I felt a lump form in my throat, and I turned away, trying to compose myself.

"I hate him," I muttered, my voice barely audible.

"Who?" Mr. Leo asked, his hazel eyes searching mine.

"Daniel. The man who sent assassins after us." My voice shook with anger and fear.

Mr. Leo's expression turned cold, and he nodded. "We'll get out of here, kid. I promise.”

I let out a deep sigh, tears streaming down my cheeks as my lips trembled. "She wasn't supposed to die," I whispered, my voice cracking with grief. "That wasn't the plan.” I shook my head, feeling the weight of my sorrow.

Why do they always leave? Maybe I'm cursed to never know happiness.

Mr. Leo offered gentle words of comfort, his voice soft and soothing. "Life always has other plans for us, dear. Cheer up, you'll get over it." I nodded, wiping away my tears with a shaky hand.

He asked softly, "Now, can you tell me the truth? What's going on? Why are there assassins after you?" I took a deep breath and began, my words spilling out like a river.

As I continued to recount my ordeal to Mr. Leo, I could feel the weight of my experiences bearing down on me.

Once I finished, Mr. Leo let out a deep sigh, his eyes filled with understanding. "You've been through a lot in just one day," he said, his elderly voice filled with empathy.

I sighed, running my hands through my hair. "And I'm afraid it'll get worse," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Mr. Leo reassured me, his voice firm and confident. "Don't worry, I'll protect you. Go get some rest; it's going to be a long journey." I nodded, feeling a glimmer of hope, and headed inside, the motion of the ship making me feel queasy.

I turned back to face Mr. Leo, my voice barely above a whisper. "Mr. Leo?" He turned his head, his eyes locking onto mine for a brief moment before returning to gaze out at the sea.

"Can I borrow your phone?" I asked.

He hesitated, his brow furrowed in concern, before nodding curtly. "You know you can't make any contact..." he began.

But I cut him off, my voice laced with determination. "I know. But I need to leave a message for someone."

He turned to me, his eyes searching mine, and I knew he suspected who I was about to contact. "Alright," he said finally, his voice low and measured. "It's in my front pocket. Take it, but be quick about it. You have five minutes."

I nodded, my heart racing as I reached into his pocket and retrieved the phone.

As I stepped inside the ship, the cool darkness enveloped me. I saved Daniel's number, my fingers trembling as I typed it in from memory. I took a deep breath, my eyes welling up with tears, and began to record the voicemail.

"Hello, Daniel," my voice shook, but I pushed on, the words spilling out like a broken tap.

"It's me, Darla. The one you almost tried to kill." I paused, my chest heaving with emotion and I ran my hands through my hair. "I'll never forgive you for that. You lied to me, humiliated me, and took my mother away from me. I didn't even get to say goodbye. You promised me a forever with you, but I guess that forever was never mine to begin with." I laughed, a bitter, choked sound.

“I'm leaving, and I'll never contact you again. You'll never see us. I hate you, but I won't let you ruin me. Goodbye.”

I ended the message, my body shaking with sobs. I wiped my tears away, took a deep breath, and turned off the phone.

I placed my hand on my belly. I won't cry. I can't cry. I have to be strong for us.

I took a few more deep breaths, composing myself, before emerging from the ship and handing the phone back to Mr. Leo.

He called out, "Darla, from here on out, you're dead. You died trying to escape on my ship. When I go back, that's the story I'll tell everyone. I'll mourn your loss, but I'll also make sure no one suspects the truth. You were a stranger who paid me to take you somewhere, but you didn't make it. You're a ghost now, a secret I'll keep to protect us both. Are we clear?"

As I turned to leave, a mix of emotions swirled inside me - grief for the life I was leaving behind, fear of the unknown, and a glimmer of hope for a new beginning.

I nodded, "Yes," and went inside, whispering to myself, "Rest in peace, Darla. The person I once was died today.”

As we sailed into the night, I felt a sense of relief wash over me, mixed with a deep sadness. I knew I had a long and dangerous journey ahead, but with Mr. Leo's help, I might just make it out alive.

No, I have to make it out alive! For me, for mom, for dad, for my baby, for Jacob, and most especially… for Paris.