Nowhere to Go but Together

The house was quiet, but the kind of quiet that made Jake’s stomach twist. He sat at the dining table, doodling in his notebook, pretending not to notice the muffled voices of their parents arguing in the other room. At just 12, he had learned to tune out the chaos, but tonight felt heavier.

Isabella, his 17-year-old sister, leaned against the kitchen counter, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. The bruises on her arms were fading, but the ones on her heart hadn’t. She glanced at Jake, her little brother who still had hope in his eyes. She knew she couldn’t let him grow up in this house.

“Jake,” she said softly, walking over to him.

He looked up, setting his pencil down. “Yeah?”

She knelt in front of him, her face serious. “We’re leaving. Tonight.”

His brows furrowed. “Leaving? Why? Where?”

“Anywhere but here,” she said, gripping his hands. “I can’t let them hurt you, Jake. I’ve stayed for you, but it’s not enough anymore. We can’t live like this.”

“But what about Mom and Dad?” he asked, his voice trembling.

“They’ll be fine,” she said, though the anger in her voice betrayed her. “This isn’t about them. It’s about us.”

Jake stared at her, fear and confusion clouding his mind. But he trusted her—he always had. He nodded. “Okay.”

They moved quickly, packing a small bag with clothes, snacks, electronics, and Jake’s notebook. Isabella stuffed the little cash she had saved into her pocket. As they stepped outside into the cold night, Jake shivered, but Isabella held his hand.

Hours later, they found themselves sitting on a park bench under flickering streetlights. Jake clutched his backpack, leaning into Isabella for warmth.

“Are we homeless now?” he asked, his voice small.

Isabella sighed, wrapping an arm around him. “For now,” she admitted. “But it won’t be forever. We’ll figure something out, Jake. I promise.”

“Together?”

“Always,” she said, squeezing his hand.

They didn’t know where they were going or how they’d survive, but they had eachother