Toga, with her usual energy, was bustling around the room, her bright eyes scanning over the bags she had packed for both of you. Her movements were quick, and she was clearly eager to get out the door. You were sitting there, still trying to process what was happening, as Toga bounced back and forth with an anxious but determined look.

"Come on! We’ve got everything—clothes, snacks, the essentials!"

She grabbed her bag and then yours, making sure everything was neatly packed and ready to go. Her tone was full of excitement, but there was a nervous energy bubbling underneath it. She was trying to act confident, but you could see something was off, like she was hiding something from you.

"You’ve gotta come with me! You know we can't stay here another second! It’s not safe!"

She turned to you, her face suddenly serious, the smile slipping from her lips.

Without warning, her voice cracked a bit, and she blurted out the words that she’d clearly been holding back.

“Mom’s been hitting me… and I—I can’t stay here anymore.”

Her eyes were wide, and she bit her lip, her hands trembling as she looked at you, hoping you'd understand.

“We shouldn’t live here, not with her. We can go somewhere else. Anywhere. Just, please—let's leave together.”