1
Gracie
There’s not really a bad part of town in Whiskey Run, but there are parts of town that my father has forbidden me from going to. The Distillery is one of them. But that’s never really bothered me. I have no reason to go there. I’m not old enough to drink so what would be the point? But the other places I’ve been forbidden to go are on the other side of town around the Whiskey Whistler Bar. There are a bunch of businesses—a pawn shop, a liquor store, a tattoo shop, a bar—and my father has instilled in my brain that I have no reason to be “on that side” of town. And I’ve listened to him. I always listen to him. I always do exactly what I’m told. But not today.
I turned eighteen today. I’ve had all these dreams for when this day would come. I would finally be free. I could live my life the way I want to instead of how my dad told me I needed to. I’ve done everything he’s asked of me. I graduated with a four point five. I was valedictorian. I joined the clubs he wanted me to join. Hell, I hated French club, but I joined it because that’s what he wanted me to do. I never bucked him because even though he’s my father, I also know he’s an evil man. When my mother died five years ago, he changed, and there’s no reaching him now. He wants things his way or else you face the wrath of Brandon Franklin... also known as the mayor of Whiskey Run.
I take a deep breath as I walk down the cobbled sidewalk. I’m doing my best not to draw attention to myself, but I can feel all the eyes on me. Some of them probably know who I am, but most of them don’t. My father has made sure I’ve stayed out of the limelight, and at least for that I’m thankful.
I reach into my purse and wrap my hand around the tiny sketchbook in there. That has been my freedom. When I wasn’t allowed to do anything except school or school-sponsored events, I started drawing. My father didn’t approve, and since the first time I showed him, when he ripped the drawing in two, I haven’t shown him another piece of work.
But today... I have to do something. I have to.
I thought for sure when I turned eighteen I could do what I want. That’s what I’ve been holding out for. I was accepted to the University of Berkeley all the way on the other side of the country. It’s far... but I still worried it wouldn’t be far enough. And then my father dropped his bombshell on me today. He had written the university and declined the full scholarship I had been offered. I called them to try and convince them to give me the scholarship back, but I was told that they had already offered it to someone else. In one afternoon, my dreams for my future were shattered. My father gave me the acceptance letter to Jasper College, the local community college where I would be able to stay at home and commute back and forth to school. In that instant, I wanted to die. I didn’t want to spend one more day in his house with him.
I waited until he’d left for his weekly town meeting, stuffed my sketchbook into my purse, and walked out of the house. I know I need a way out, and I’m not giving up, but I need a plan. I’m not stupid enough to think I can leave without any money, plus I wouldn’t get very far with the GPS tracker he has hidden on my car. So I walked to town, taking alleys and backstreets to get me to the other side of town. I don’t stop until I’m outside Savage Ink.
The sign is yellow with black lettering that looks like graffiti. I lift my head and look at the big building in front of me. I’m not worried about changing my mind, because it’s already been made up. I want this...no, I need this. This may be ridiculous to some, but to me it’s going to be my very first taste of freedom.
Aiden
I look around the shop, and just like every other time I do, a sense of pride hits me in the chest. I worked hard to open this shop, and finally after five years, I have the building almost paid off and I’ve finally started to recognize my success. The days of living paycheck to paycheck are over. Of course I never had to really. My family has always been willing to help me out, and I have access to a big trust fund, but I’ve never wanted to use it. I wanted to do this all on my own terms. I’m now a sought-after tattoo artist, and I definitely don’t take it for granted. My client that just left came all the way from Jasper to get his tattoo. Jasper isn’t all that far away... just thirty to forty-five minutes, but there are three really well-known tattoo shops there, and I can’t help but feel a little pride in knowing he came to me instead of just going down the street from his house.