Judith felt only terror as she listened to the words and saw the cruel light shining in her mother's eyes. What she'd heard had opened a new door to her, a door which led into a black, world which stretched out indefinitely ahead, all the way to the end of her life.

The screaming and the hard work and the beatings had been a way of life to Judith, but always there had been the vague thought that one day it would all end and she would go away somewhere to begin a life of her own. But that hope was gone, killed by the words her mother had spoken so easily, almost jokingly. The beatings were not punishment at all; they were just something for her mother's pleasure, things that would go on and on forever and ever amen.

Her mind raced as she watched the couple getting their clothes on. Sex meant nothing to her then, there was no room in her for excitement. Escape was the only thing that mattered. But what escape? To where? When? How? She didn't even have the bus fare to get into town.

The couple was dressed at last and walked toward the front stairs, but then they stopped. Ruth wanted another kiss and as Pete gave it to her, he reached to pull the back of her dress high so that he could play with her big ass through and around her panties. It seemed to go on forever, and then they broke their embrace and went downstairs.

Judith went down the stairs, too, running, not caring how much noise she made. She emerged in the kitchen and hurried out the door, through the yard and into the bushes. She was usually able to run long distances without tiring, but there was something different this time. She had trouble breathing and her heart kept pounding hard. She had to think of something, had to find some means of escape. She just had to.