Chapter 3: The Escape

I was chained to the floor when I heard Master fumbling with the key to my door. I got up and stood next to the door. The night before I had managed to break the seat off the commode. There had never been a ceramic top on it but there was a seat with a cover. I had it in my hands as Master walked into my room. This better work or he’ll kill me with that cattle prod!

When he came in, I hit him on the head! It broke! He sat down on the floor staring up at me. I broke the remaining piece over the back of his head, he fell face down on the floor. I took the key to my cuff off the key chain on his belt and un-fastened my cuff. Then I re-fastened it to his ankle! rushed out the door. I shut it behind me and put the lock back on the hasp. He had told me many times that this room was soundproof. I hope so just in case he is not dead and wakes up.

I ran upstairs naked as the day I was born. I slowly walked down the hall of this house. I had never been upstairs in all the months I had been here. The first room was his office. I went in only because I saw his wallet lying on his desk. It contained 6 $100 bills. I took them. I opened his desk drawers just being curious. In the top drawer there was an envelope with a bank deposit made out. I counted 30 $100 bills in it. I went through another drawer and found a passport. My passport! I don’t ever remember applying for one! But there it was. A blue United States unused passport in the name of Amy Collins. That’s going with me.

I opened the closet and there hung a collection of girls’ clothes. Even the clothes I had on the day I went to Brother Dave’s house with my mother! I began to dress. I must have lost a little weight. My jeans are looser than I remember. On the floor of the closet, I found my boots. Now I’m dressed!

I was hunting through the closet looking for a coat. I’m going north, Montana or Wyoming. I’ll need a warm coat. I did not find a coat, but a memory crossed my mind.

One day I was helping my father clean out my grandfather’s room after the old man had died. I found a jacket of his. It was pretty, all silky looking. But what was written on it puzzled me. On the back was a color picture of Viet Nam. It was divided off into sections, the Mekong Delta, the central highlands and I-Corps with a line saying DMZ above it. But what was written on the jacket would stick in my mind forever. Embroidered on it were the words “When I die I am going to heaven because I have already been to hell. Viet Nam 1965-1966.”

Dad explained that grandpa had been a Marine and served in Viet Nam. Well Grandpa, I know how you feel! I have just spent six months in hell!

I was stuffing the money in my pockets when I heard the snore. Somebody else is in the house!

I crept down the hall to investigate. I saw twin beds with Chuck passed out in one and the Sheriff in the other! Shit I need to get out of here and fast!

I sneak back down the hall to the kitchen. Hanging on a peg are six cowboy hats. I like the black one and stop to put it on. It’s a little big but I’ll make it work. The charcoal grey one looks new. It also is going with me. On another peg is a set of keys with a tag that says ‘truck’. My ride!

I am about to go out the door when I have what I think at the time is a great idea. I had seen this on television. I find a candle, light it and take it down the hall. I sit it on the floor. Then back in the kitchen I turn on all six burners of the stove without lighting them. I open the oven door and turn on the gas, also without lighting it. When I shut the kitchen door, I could smell the gas filling the room.

The truck started and I was off. To where? I had no idea. I was on a farm to market road, so I knew I was in Texas. I drove for almost 20 minutes before I crossed a highway. I turned right when I saw a sign that said, “Houston 45 miles”. I’m going to Houston. A little while later I crossed interstate 10. There was a sign pointing the way to the airport. I was developing a plan as I drove. I had a few thousand dollars, so I pulled off the inter-state when I saw a Wal-Mart. Inside I picked out three pairs of jeans, a couple of shirts and some underwear. I was walking towards the check-out when I saw suitcases. I need a carry-on bag!

In the parking lot I packed my bag, then drove to the airport. Reality was starting to sink in. I think I just killed three people. I don’t need to get out of Texas, I need to get out of the United States!

I parked the truck in long term parking and rolled my suitcase into the airport. Where to go? I stopped and studied the screen showing the departures of international flights. South America that’s where I need to go. No extradition and being from south Texas I speak some Spanish! I see one leaving for one of the capitals down there in three hours. I walked to the American Airlines desk.

The lady asked about luggage, I motioned to the carry-on as I handed her my passport. She looked at me then handed me a boarding pass. I found the gate and waited until my section was called. When the wheels were up, I laughed. I am free!

I looked through a couple of the in-flight magazines then ate an airplane meal. I slept a little then woke up when the pilot announced we were about to land.

Immigration looked like it may be a problem. The man seemed un-impressed that I was a young woman traveling alone. I acted like I did not speak very good Spanish thinking that might limit his questions. He wanted to know why I was visiting his country. I told him I was a student, and I was here to visit a friend. He asked me her name and address. Now I was stumped. I remembered seeing an ad for the Gomez Hotel in one of the magazines on the plane. When I told him I would be staying with my friend at her family’s hotel, the Gomez Hotel, his complete demeanor changed. He welcomed me to his country and told me to have a pleasant stay. I breezed through customs without a problem.