Moonlight Escape: contos, #1

By jessica diogo

"Embark on a heart-pounding journey with Delilah as she flees into the night, leaving behind the safety of home and the looming threat of her husband, Dominick. With every step she takes, fear grips her, but the determination to escape his clutches drives her forward.

As Delilah navigates the moonlit roads and dark forests, her every breath is a struggle against the cold and the relentless pursuit of her past. With each moment, she fights to survive, fueled by the love for her daughter, Polly, and the desperate hope for a better tomorrow.

Just when all seems lost, a familiar face emerges from the shadows, offering warmth, safety, and a glimmer of hope. Travis, a beacon of light in the darkness, guides Delilah back from the brink of despair, reminding her that she is not alone in this fight.

Join Delilah on a gripping tale of courage, resilience, and the enduring power of love as she confronts her past, embraces her future, and discovers that sometimes, salvation comes from the unlikeliest of places."

• Language: English
• Publisher: jessica diogo
• Release date: Apr 16, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224228263

jessica diogo

Ricardo Almeida is a writer and journalist, graduated in the Brazilian city of João Pessoa in 2007. He specializes in investigative journalism. In addition to his journalistic work, he is a speaker and writer. It shares its knowledge at conferences, workshops and publications, with the aim of disseminating information about society. Your commitment is to help others achieve a balanced and meaningful life.

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Table of Contents

Moonlight Escape

Moonlight Escape

Delilah couldn't remember how long it had been since she ran away from home.

Ran away.

Those were scary words.

People run away from home when things are bad.

Really bad.

When it's impossible to keep living with those who are supposed to be your strong support.

Your pillar.

Your comfort.

At first.

She ran. As fast as she could.

Until she felt a sharp pain in her right side.

Until she realized she simply couldn't catch her breath.

Until her vision started to darken.

She ran like a rabbit fleeing from hounds.

And then she slowed to a work.

She walked along the moonlit road.

Clutching her chest as if trying to calm her heart.

Not let it leave out of her chest.

It was horribly cold.

She realized that when she slowed down.

The cold wasn't noticeable while running.

But now the wind burned her overheated skin.

Cripped under the fabric of her sweatshirt.

Seized her throat.

Preventing her from taking a breath.

November turned out to be cold.

Almost winter.

Except that the snow hadn't fallen yet.

But there was already a scent of the first wet snow and the coming frosts in the air.

Delilah hugged herself.

She felt an overwhelming urge to cry.

But there were no tears.

They must have run out.

There must be some limit.

A person can't cry forever.

She heard a sound behind her.

A car was approaching.

It was speeding.

Delilah looked back.

In the uneven moonlight.

She made out Dominick's cheap.

She understood he saw her.

Understood it with some sixth sense.

A feeling she didn't have yesterday.

If he found her, it would be the end.

And Delilah knew that for sure she would never see Polly.

Her daughter.

Again.

Not just Polly.

She wouldn't see the light of day again.

Dominick promised that Delilah would end up in a mental institution.

And he usually kept his promises.

Especially such ones.

He might forget to bring flowers.

Saying he was too busy.

Asking what else she wanted from him.

But this.

No.

He wouldn't forget this without understanding what she was doing.

Delilah darted off the road.

Into the wards.

She nearly twisted her ankle.

Stumbling over either a rock or a tree root.

And she ran again.

Without choosing a path.

No.

She couldn't let Dominick find her.

That would be certain death.

Her lungs were burning again.

Her heart pounding so hard it felt like it might stop forever.

But it was better to dive than to end up in a psychiatric hospital.

It's just a shame that Polly would never know what happened to her mom.

You can't tell such horrors to a five year old child.

Delilah kept running and running.

She stumbled over a mound.

Felt to the ground.

Painfully hitting some stump.

She groaned loudly but got up and limping slightly.

Continued on her way.

She didn't think about where she was running or what would happen.

Nothing was better than the fate her husband had in store for her.

The forest thinned out.

Delilah realized she was back on the road.

This time it was a dirt road.

How long had she been running?

It seemed like there was no one behind her.

Maybe Dominick either hadn't noticed her or was searching.

Or perhaps he decided it wasn't worth looking for her.

Hoping Delilah would just crack her head open.

Disappear.

Lost in the dark labyrinths of the forest.

Unless problem for him.

A perfect solution, really.

A crazy woman ran away at night.

Got lost in the forest.

And froze to death.

But dying wasn't what Delilah wanted.

She was sure the main thing was to wait for morning.

And then she'd figure something out.

The sun would rise.

And the problems would dissipate like mist over a lake.

Her head was spinning harder.

After all, Delilah wasn't used to such physical exertion.

She approached a tree.

Leaning her back against it.

Her legs wouldn't hold her.

Delilah slid to the ground.

Feeling her genes immediately get soaked.

She'd probably catch a cold.

Although that wasn't her main problem right now.

Even her documents were left at home.

Everything was left at home.

Including her daughter, Polly.

Lord, let her daughter forgive her mother.

She would definitely take Polly back.

She just needed to survive and figure out what to do next.

Delilah couldn't feel her body.

Maybe her soul decided to leave her.

With consciousness, she realized she was falling onto her side.

But there was nothing she could do about it.

That's probably how people die.

So did Dominic win, Polly.

Delilah whispered, forgive me, sweetheart, miss.

Someone shook her shoulder.

Delilah opened her eyes.

Was she alive?

Or had she died and ended up in the afterlife?

With some guardian angel trying to bring her to her senses.

But it wasn't him.

Delilah recognized the man.

Fortunately, not Dominic.

The same nose with the bump.

And his hair still longed to his shoulders.

He used to joke that when he kissed her, leaning over,

they ended up like an attempt made of his hair.

Delilah found it terribly funny.

Once upon a time, it seemed like in another life.

But that simply couldn't be Travis.

Delilah whispered, what?

The man moved away from her.

Where?

How do you know me?

You don't recognize me.

Delilah raised her hands and touched his cheek.

Maybe she had fallen asleep.

And all of this was just a dream.

How did he end up here?

Not far from their house with Dominic.

Recognition flickered in his eyes.

It flickered and immediately disappeared without a trace.

Let's go.

Can you work?

He stood up and gently pulled her towards him.

Delilah got to her feet.

The man wrapped his arms firmly around her waist.

Delilah recognized his touch immediately.

Strong.

Yet tender.

It wasn't easy to break free from his embrace.

Long ago, she used to pretend to be offended or jealous.

And he would hold her tightly, whispering

that he loved only her, even with all her mischief and caprices.

She used to pretend to want to break free.

But deep down, she never did.

And they both knew it.

How long ago that was?

Yes.

Yes.

I can.

She, without realizing it, nuzzled her nose

against his shoulder.

I can work.

Travis.

Travis.

I thought you were dead.

We'll figure it out, he promised.

But for now, you need to warm up.