I sit alone at the bar, nursing a glass of wine on the counter in front of me. The red liquid is strong down my throat, but not strong enough to fill me with the courage to embark on this cold, lonely journey. It isn’t enough to fill me with the comfort I need to survive this nightmare.

I have been in New York for a week now, I was running out of time and money. I haven’t eaten proper food since I didn’t want to leave a paper trail. I take my drink in one gulp. If I had more money, I would have spent it on more drinks, but I have to stop here for now.

I stare down at the piece of paper sitting in front of me, with three simple words scribbled in black ink. You are next.

Three simple words drove me out of my home into the streets like some beggar. These words divided my family and left me in this world all alone to run and hide like an animal. But it was also these words that made me determined to live and forget all of this was happening.

I have carried it with me ever since that day. It was a constant reminder of the nightmare that I was living. It made me want to fight better and stronger because I didn’t want to die. I don’t want to pay for a mistake that I had no part in making. I had a promising future. And I am going to see it through, no matter how long it takes me to run from death.

Antonio liked to play with his food before he went in for the kill. I am sure he was enjoying watching me struggle without any money. I hated it, I hated him and everything he was making me go through. I finished my wine and ached for another glass, but I simply couldn’t afford it, one was enough for the day.

I carry my overnight bag, wondering where I am going to stay this time – he has succeeded in leaving me homeless once again.

Antonio 1, Sophie 0.

I didn’t know who I was mad at – Antonio or the person responsible for all of this misfortune. Thinking about it made me hyperventilate, so I rather not relieve the memory all over again.

I was about to head out when something caught my eye – the TV in the far corner switched to the entertainment section. I am not interested in the information, well, not until I heard the mouthwatering pay that caught my attention pretty fast.

“Excuse me, what is that?” I ask the bartender.

He says nothing but simply hands me a flier. It has the same thing written on it as the one they were showing on TV. I accept the flier and leave.

I ponder on my next move. I look lost, wandering around New York City. Never in my imagination did I think that I would be walking along the streets of New York like this, so miserable and lonely. A city that was once my dream is now the last place I want to be.

I sigh to myself – life is indeed hard.

I have to go to the shelter to crash and get some food to eat, I can’t think properly with no food in my belly, and the wine was not helping either. I am too depressed to think straight right now, I need to sleep.

The streets are lit, everybody is minding their business, and they don’t pay attention to the lonely figure walking by herself down the street in search of a warm place to lay her head.

I walk to the shelter, bag in hand. It contains my phone, laptop, and some clothes. My shoulders are slumped, and I know I look how I feel right now, miserable and alone. I don’t have the money to pay for a cab. The people were kind enough to let me stay there free of charge for the next three days. I felt like I was taking advantage of them, but they assured me that I was safe to stay till I was on my feet.

It made me all the more motivated to find a well-paying job and settle here for a while. I look down at the flier in my hand, I need to read it and call if they have any vacancies, but that will be tomorrow morning. I need to find a job that will pay me well and also make me remain invisible.

I thank the matron; her kindness is exactly what I need to get through these tough times. If only there were more people like her in the world, then it would be a better place for people like me. I found a corner to keep my things and settled nicely.

We all lined up for dinner. It was perfectly organized, and it went like that till everyone was well-fed and ready for bed.

I smile to myself because I was a bit relaxed after worrying too much about where to lay my head, and now I found a bed and good food. Life has a way of working out by itself.

All I need now is a good night's sleep, and in the morning, I will figure out what to do about finding a job to help sustain myself and hide from Antonio. God knows what he will do when he gets his hands on me. I wouldn’t stick around to find out; neither would I let him catch me. I would keep running even if that’s the only way to stay alive. He doesn’t get to win after putting my life in this state, he doesn’t get to tell my lifeless body “Gotcha” after he has killed me. No, I won’t let him win. Never!

I am full and ready to sleep. I read a little before finally drifting to sleep.