Running away from everything youâve ever known has got to be the hardest mission of all. But knowing that it is possible, knowing that someone who found it practically impossible to escape managed to do so? It gives hope for those who feel completely and utterly trapped. Cassie Gray is living proof of someone who survived being trapped, someone who escaped and came to find sanctuary. Sanctuary, in a town called Savannah, Georgia. Growing up in Southport, North Carolina hadnât always been sunshine and daisies, for the girl was unfortunate to be born into a difficult life. Living in a trailer park with an abusing drunk of a father, and a drug-consumed mother, Cassie had always felt independence was her strongpoint â for she had no other choice. She copped rather horrible treatment from both her parents, but when they werenât mistreating her, she was ignored. As though she didnât exist. As though her life didnât matter to them, nor anyone else. But watching her father tear her mother apart by bringing home married women, absolutely ruined any idea of love nor happiness for the girl. She watched as her mother cried, heartbroken each and every time only to take drugs once more, allowing herself to be consumed in other worlds. Cassie grew up with an extremely difficult childhood, only to worsen once she became of age.Â
Cassie had always remained quiet, throughout every situation and ordeal for fear of picked upon, highlighted by her parents enough for them to notice her and mistreat her again. Fifteen she was kicked out of home, and had been moving from bench to bench ever since. She became accustomed to the quiet. However, her personality was exuded the very minute she turned eighteen, and became an exotic dancer. Now, many took on the job to because they loved it, or wanted to pay the rent (which for Cassie, was all too true) â but she had no other choice. Jobs in Southport were so difficult to obtain, especially when you didnât have a permanent address. And being an exotic dancer, well.. it allowed Cassie to escape and become someone new â as strange as that sounded. She learned to love the art of it, but never allowed herself to go so far as lose all respect for herself. Cassie loved to dance, she loved to put on a show and get praised for it, but she most certainly would never allow herself to be paid off and sacrifice her dignity and self-respect to sleep with men. As much as the pay attracted her, she wouldnât do it, and she never did. She did, however, find someone she happened to fall in love with. As much as she was against the idea of relationships, love.. he was different. Someone who, from day one, never treated her as simply a piece of meat. Someone who offered her his home, a place to stay. Someone who claimed to adore her and want to treat her well, someone who made her believe that perhaps, just perhaps there was some good in the world. Until he didnât.Â
They were together for a year before Cassie fell pregnant, at the fresh age of nineteen. She had never wanted to be a mother, for she knew the life she had was so awful she couldnât do it to another. But there was hope that this would be different, that maybe.. she would get her happy ending after all. The minute her little girl was born, everything changed. All claims of being there for her, of treating her and their daughter right, of planting high hopes for a life for their baby much different from the one she had grown into. But everything changed once Ava was born. Daniel became everything Cassie had feared her entire life. A drunk, an abuser, someone who mistreated her and their daughter. Jealousy had struck, and Daniel had become someone she feared most of all. She remained there for three years, before the mistreatment became so bad â her daughter was suffering. She was able now, to watch her mother be in pain, constantly. And thatâs the one thing Cassie never wanted for her. Thatâs when she knew she had to run away, she had to leave. One evening, when Daniel became so drunk after screaming at her he passed out, Cassie grabbed her little to no belongings, took Ava in her arms, and jumped on the first bus to anywhere with the little change she had left. And that, is how several months ago, Cassie ended up in a town called Savannah, Georgia. A place that had become her sanctuary. A place where she has a job, rents a small house, and raises her daughter, Ava. A place that means safety from the knowledge that Daniel canât find them. Or at least, thatâs what she hopes. There is always that gnawing constant fear that he will find her one day, for she knew how psychotic he had become over her leaving to go to the grocery store.. but in Savannah, she finally found home.
Cassie is the definition of independence and strength. She bears the weight of the world on her shoulders, and had from birth â and she still manages to live her life. To smile, despite all that had happened to her. To have faith and hope despite being given every reason not to. She never once allowed her demons to tear her down, only to cause her to feel stronger⌠but what really gave her the ultimate strength, was her daughter. Thatâs when she finally stood up for herself, and gave them a life they deserved. She may be jaded, tainted with experiences and happenings of the past. She may have had one of the most difficult childhoods.. but she never gives up. Not only is her endurance at itâs peak, her personality seems to be growing from the shy, timid girl sheâd always thought herself to be. Thereâs a sense of sarcasm and humor that underlies every conversation, a sort of confidence growing in Savannah she never knew she had. The fact that she doesnât believe in love nor relationships doesnât mean she has hope for others. She knows her fate, and she has her head held high whilst doing so. And most of all, she is caring. Caring beyond belief. Thatis something she can never change.
