The Secret in the Pages by Alisa Yunes

I kept the book hidden beneath my pillow,

away from my father’s eyes. Every night, when the house was silent and the air smelled of stale beer, I would pull it out, tracing my mother’s handwriting with my fingertips.  

One night, I found something I hadn’t noticed before—a folded piece of paper placed between the pages. My hands were shacking as I opened it.  

"Anna, if you're reading this, it means I couldn’t tell you myself. There’s something you need to know. Your father wasn’t always like this. He changed after we tried to leave. I wanted to take you somewhere safe, but he wouldn’t let me. I hope, one day, you’ll find your way out."  

My breath caught. My mother had tried to escape.  

The walls around me suddenly felt smaller. My whole life, I thought my father’s anger had always been there, that it was just how things were. But now, I knew the truth—he had trapped us both.  

I couldn’t stay here forever. My mother had wanted more for me, and now I wanted it too. I folded the letter back, placed it in the book, and held it close.  

For the first time, I felt something stronger than fear.  

I felt ready.