They walked in silence the rest of the way, the city growing colder with every step. When they reached the rusting gate of the apartment building, Ava felt that familiar twist in her stomach. Like being led into a lion's den.
As soon as they opened the front door, she heard him.
"Where the hell have you been?" Marcus barked from the couch. The stench of alcohol hung in the air like poison. His eyes were glassy, his shirt stained, and his fingers clutched a nearly empty bottle like it was sacred.
He didn't wait for an answer.
"Well?" he demanded, hauling himself upright. "You got the money or not?"
Ava stood still, her breath shallow. Tess stayed behind her, silent.
"We—" Ava began.
"Don't give me that crap," Marcus snarled. "You're late, and I know what that means. You're trying to hide something. Now hand it over."
Ava didn't move.
In an instant, he crossed the room and grabbed her by the hair, jerking her forward with a violent twist.
"I said give me the damn money!"
Ava winced but didn't cry out. "A thief stole it."
His eyes narrowed, and he reeked of booze as he leaned in. "You expect me to believe that bullshit?"
"It's the truth," she said through gritted teeth.
"Who had it when it got stolen?" he barked.
Ava didn't hesitate. "Me. It was with me."
The lie came easily. She wasn't going to let Tess take the fall.
Marcus let out a furious snarl and shoved her back hard, sending her stumbling into the wall. Then he came at her again.
The blows came fast — fists, elbows, curses too vile to repeat. Ava curled, shielding her face, but pain bloomed everywhere.
"Stop it!" Tess screamed. "Leave her alone!"
She tried to wedge herself between them, but Marcus shoved her aside with one hand.
"Tess—stay back!" Ava gasped, trying to stand.
But Tess didn't stay back.
She grabbed the empty bottle — thick and heavy — the one Marcus had drained before they walked in.
And then, with trembling hands and fire in her eyes, she swung it.
The sickening crack echoed through the room.
Marcus collapsed, unconscious.
The silence afterward was deafening. Ava lay on the ground, bruised and breathless, staring at her foster father's still body.
Tess dropped the bottle with a clatter. Her hands shook violently.
Ava pulled herself up, wincing, and wrapped her arms around her.
"It's okay," she whispered, even though nothing about this night was okay. "You did good. You did what you had to do."
And for now, they were still together.
Still surviving.
...
Ava's ribs ached with every breath.
She didn't even flinch anymore. She just moved like the pain belonged to her, like it had always been there. That was how it felt, anyway — like she'd never been without it. She slipped into the small room that passed for hers, a splintering door closing behind her with a soft creak.
The walls were thin. She could still hear Marcus breathing, unconscious on the floor. Could still feel his hands on her. She swallowed the nausea rising in her throat.
She sat on the bed — really just a mattress on the floor — and took a moment. The room was barely lit. A single cracked bulb dangled from the ceiling, swaying slightly like it, too, was trying to escape. Ava reached beneath the bed and pulled out the backpack she kept hidden behind the broken floorboard.
It was already half-packed. She'd always had a plan, somewhere in the back of her mind. A "just in case" plan. But now it wasn't just a plan. It was a lifeline.
She tightened the bag straps, paused, then stood and walked to the small window. It barely opened, but it was just enough. Beyond it was the roof — and beyond that, the city. Whatever was out there, it had to be better than this.
She climbed halfway through the window before a voice stopped her cold.
"Ava."
She turned her head sharply, startled. Tess stood in the doorway. Barefoot, eyes wide. The bruises from earlier when the bottle fell stood out like shadows on her pale skin.
Ava's first instinct was guilt — she'd been caught.
"Tess, go to bed," she said quickly. "You shouldn't be up."
Tess didn't move.
For a moment, Ava braced herself. She thought Tess would beg her to stay. Plead with her not to go. She didn't want to hear that — not when she knew what staying meant. She couldn't protect them both if they remained here. Not anymore.
But then Tess stepped forward... and Ava noticed the backpack slung over her shoulder.
"I'm coming with you," Tess said.
Ava blinked. "Tess…"
"I'm not staying here," Tess whispered. "You think I could? After what happened?"
"Tess, it's dangerous out there. We don't have a plan. No money. No place to go."
"I don't care," Tess said firmly. "I'd rather be out there than in here with him."
Ava stepped down from the window. "You don't understand how hard it's going to be."
"I do," Tess said. Her voice didn't shake. "I know exactly how hard it'll be. But I'm not letting you leave me behind."
Ava stared at her. This girl — this tiny, stubborn soul who should've had a real childhood — stood in front of her with her chin lifted like she was ready to fight the world. And maybe she was.
Ava rubbed her face with one trembling hand. "I don't know where we're going."
"I don't either," Tess replied. "But I know what we're leaving."
That hit harder than anything.
Ava looked at the window, at the quiet sky beyond it. She thought about running alone — about the quiet freedom, the ease of not having anyone else to worry about. But the moment she imagined Tess's face after she was gone… she couldn't do it.
She dropped her hand and gave a soft sigh.
"Okay," she said. "Get your shoes."
Tess didn't even hesitate. She turned and ran to her room, coming back in seconds.
Ava helped her climb out the window first, then followed. The rooftop gravel crunched under their feet as they made their way toward the fire escape. The city below stretched out like an endless maze, full of headlights and noise and the unknown.
They didn't know what they were running toward.
Only what they were running from.
And that was enough.