One would think that life would be great for Jacinta Reyes. She was the daughter of a diplomat from Spain and had wanted for very little in material needs most of her life. Life used to be good, until six months ago. That's when her mother, Lydia, had a lost her battle with cancer and the old life Jacinta knew was over. She missed her mother so much and she also hated what her father had become. She needed to get out of here, she thought. She wouldn't be able to survive much longer, she had to escape. She was in her bedroom, packing her book bag full of clothes. She had been hoarding money for the last few months, it wasn't much, but it would buy the fifteen year girl a few meals. She was smart enough that Jacinta was sure she'd be able to get a waitress or retail job somewhere. Where she would go, she had no idea. She needed leave this house and DC. She thought of going to her older sister, Paloma. Her sister would let her live with her but....Jacinta shook her head at the thought. No, she couldn't tell Paloma. She could never know what was happening in this house. She might not even believe her and even if Paloma did, it would be too dangerous. She remembered all to well what Benito had told her. Maybe she could call Diego. He was her sister's friend and always nice to her but she hadn't seen him in a long time. Not since she and Paloma had went to his wife's funeral. She heard an angry knock on her door and quickly hid her book bag under her bed.<br/><br/>"Jacinta, you know I don't allow locked doors in this house."<br/><br/>Benito scolded through the door, his Spanish accent was heavy. Jacinta quickly unlocked it, her head lowered in shame. Her face have covered by her long dark brown hair. She could not bring herself to look into his eyes. She hadn't been able to in a long time.<br/><br/>"I'm sorry, I must have locked it by accident."<br/><br/>She replied very quietly. She had spent a lot of her life living in America and her accent was not as heavy. Benito looked at her with angry eyes.<br/><br/>"You have had too many accidents with that as of late. I'm having it removed tomorrow."<br/><br/>'Then I'm glad I'm leaving tonight,' Jacinta thought to herself. All she did for a response was nod her head. That response seemed to please him enough.<br/><br/>"I'll be out late tonight for a meeting. Be up when I return."<br/><br/>Jacinta replied she would be. Not a total lie, she'd probably be up but definitely not in this house. If she had her way, she'd never come back here again. She told Benito goodbye and waited for her chance. It killed her to wait but she knew she had to be patient. Benito might forget something and come back. If he saw her leaving...No, she waited this long, she could wait a little longer. After an hour had passed, Jacinta was sure he was at his meeting and would be there for a while. She grabbed her book bag and made sure she had her money. It was time to go. She paused for a moment, looking at her cell phone on her night stand. She thought of grabbing it. After all, a teenage girl was usually very attached to her phone but decided not to. She saw enough television shows to know the police could use her phone to track her. She didn't want to ever be found. She touched the gold locket that she always wore around her neck. Her sister had a matching necklace.<br/><br/>"Sorry, I didn't tell you bye, Sis."<br/><br/>She said, looking over at the picture of her and Paloma that was also on the nightstand. They looked very happy in the picture. They had a fifteen year age difference but always been close. They had a strong bond.<br/><br/>"I'll miss you."<br/><br/>Jacinta said quietly to the picture. Maybe someday she and Paloma would find each other again. Jacinta hoped so, she loved her sister but she couldn't stay here anymore. Not with him...Not after all Benito had done. She quickly got out of the house and hit the streets of DC with no idea where she should go or how she'd survive. She just assumed she'd figure it out along the way.