I feel like a fool even writing this. It feels stupid, like I’m signing my own death warrant just by putting these words on a screen. But I’m out of choices and I don't know what else to do.

​My name is Sara. Most of you probably see me at the diner, I try so hard to look normal for the customers. But truth is, I’m terrified every second. I’ve been trying to save up to get my kids away from him, but its impossible. Every time I hide my tip money—in the kids' socks, behind the drywall, anywhere—he finds it. He can practically smell the cash on me when I walk in the door. Then he takes it and spends it all on booze, and I’m back to zero. Again.

​I can’t go to the police. I’ve thought about it a thousand times, but his brother is a cop here. They grew up in this town and everyone knows them. Every time I think about walking into that station, I just see his brothers face, and I know exactly how it would go. Just a "wellness check" that turns into a warning for my husband, and a nightmare for me once the door closes. He’s got the law on his side, or at least he has the people who enforce it. Who is going to believe me over them?

​I’m working 60 hours a week and I still got nothing to show for it because he steals my life every single night. I just need enough for a deposit and maybe a bus ticket—somewhere far enough away that his brothers badge can’t reach us. Somewhere my kids can finally stop jumping every time they hear a truck pull into the driveway. They shouldn't have to live like this.

​I’m terrified to even check the replies to this. I’m using my manager’s email and his computer at the restaurant right now because he tracks my phone. He sees every text, every site I visit. If he saw this... I don't even want to think about what he’d do.

​Please. I’m not looking for a miracle, just a crack in the door so I can run through it. I’m doing this while I’m on my break and I have to go back out there now and pretend I’m fine. But I’m not fine. We arent safe and I'm just so scared.