The Arranged Marriage.

being forced into a marriage with a stranger. She couldn't stand

on wash over her. She knew she had to get out of there, had

crept down the stairs. She didn't want to alert her p

oment. She knew what she was doing was reckless, impuls

lipping out into the night. The cool air hit her l

he only home she had ever known. She didn't know where she was going, didn't know

ash over her. She was finally taking control of

tire. Her legs ached, her lungs burned.

was lost. She had no idea where sh

her spine like a cold finger. What ha

lm herself down. She could figure this ou

hts, Sophia noticed a small café across the st

some direction. As she pushed open the door, Sophia

f coffee as she tried to gather her thoughts. Wh

flyer on the bulletin board. It was an ad for a bus t

ite within her. Maybe this was the

ticket. She didn't know what she would find in Wi

of excitement mixed with fear. She was takin

he had made the right decision. She was finally taking

iberation wash over her. She was free, finally fre

ng the scenery pass by. She felt a sense of peace wash

hey would be worried about her, would be searching for her. But Sophia didn't

eaten since breakfast, and her stomach was growling. She got up and made

d to her seat. As she ate, Sophia thought about her future. S

d out the window and saw a sign that read "Willow Creek". She fe

ng around at the small town. It was quaint and charmin

se of possibility. She had no idea what

oticed a small café. She decided to go in, h

the counter and ordered a cup of coffee. As she waited for

ot into town. Can you tell m

n. Everyone knows everyone. We've got a few

looking for a place to stay. Do y

s a small motel on the edge of town. It's

ft the café. She walked to the mot

lief wash over her. She had made it. She had

sense of peace. She knew she had made the righ

friend's number. As she waited for her friend to answer,

?" her friend answere

blurting out her news. "I'm in Wi

other end of the line. "W

d the arranged marriage. Her friend listened atten

yourself," her friend said. "But are yo

a difficult position. "No, I'm fine. I just need some

se, what

that I just need some space. But also tell them that I'm not going to go thro

are you sure you don't want me to tell them where y

on't tell them. I need some time to myself, and I don't want them to try to

tell them. But promise me you'll stay in

up the phone, Sophia felt a sense of relief wash over her. She had taken the