From her position on the stairs Maggie Greene could hear the argument between her father and her sister. The tension between the pair was nothing new but even nine year old Maggie recognised that this fight was much more serious than usual. Down the stairs and inside the living room the pair faced each other from opposite ends of the room. The eldest Greene sister was struggling to fight back tears as she tried to speak to her father.

"Dad would you just listen to me, let me explain - "

"Explain?" he interrupted with a furious growl "what is there to explain? How could you be so stupid?"

"Daddy I – " but Hershel interrupted her again. He took a menacing step forward fuelled by rage and disappointment. Hershel knew his eldest child had been struggling ever since her mother died. The more he tried to help the more damaged he seemed to cause. Crossing the room he placed his hands on her shoulders and looked directly into her eyes.

"Now listen to me Aava Greene," he said in a more controlled voice "we have options here. Yes I am unbelievably disappointed in you but life will go on. There are plenty of people who would welcome a baby." Realising where her father was going with this Aava ripped herself out his arms. A spark of defiance entered her eyes as it always did whenever her father tried to control her.

"What do you mean people out there?" she spit at him.

"Aava you can't seriously tell me you are considering raising the child?" his voice gradually rising in frustration. When he saw her serious stare he sighed in exasperation.

"You are sixteen years old, you haven't even finished school. There is no way you are raising a baby under this roof."

"Fine I won't live under your roof anymore." Aava yelled as she stormed out of the room and up the stairs. Hershel hurried after his daughter not even seeing Maggie clinging to the bannister.

"Aava get back here right now."

Entering her room she grabbed at things in flurry of activity before stuffing them into a bag. Her fathers voice was wringing in her ears. Tears threatened to fall but she was determined to keep herself together. Subconsciously she knew her father would react like this. She was well aware that their relationship was rocky to begin with and this would do nothing to help that. However she naively hoped that his reaction would be a little less explosive. Thinking over the argument with her dad she could see her father's point but over the two months since she discovered she was pregnant the idea of her baby had taken root deep within her. In her mind she saw chubby cheeked gurgling baby with bright eyes and an angelic smile. The involuntary love she had for this unborn baby surprised he in its intensity but she didn't fight it. She had invented a life for her baby which was bright and happy and had invested her love into this imaginary future. The thought of giving this up left Aava with an ache in her chest. She knew she couldn't give away the baby. A voive in her head pointed out her dad wouldn't back down no matter what. With a sigh she stubbornly wiped the lone tear that fell down her face. Swinging her backpack onto her back she made her way downstairs and found her father still at the bottom step still in a state of rage.

"Where do you think you're going young lady?" Hershel demanded when he saw the bag on her back.

"I won't give it up. You can't make me." Aava's voice trembled with unshed tears. The frustration Hershel felt intensified. The anger he felt consumed him and all he wanted to do was shake some sense into her.

"Guess what? I can make you. I am your father and this is my house. You will live by my rules and be grateful you are still welcome in this home. I thank the Lord your mother isn't here to see this. To see how disgraceful you have become." Hershel's anger continued to build and his rant increased in volume. "You are a child. You are incapable of taking care of another person. Do you understand? Whatever fantasy land you are living in girl, it's time to stop pretending. Either grow up or get out."

The house fell into a silence only ruined by a soft whimper. Maggie had watched the confrontation with wide eyes and a growing sense of unease. The young girl had never witnessed her father have such a tantrum. The thought that her big sister might leave was enough for the tears to cascade down her face.

Aava watched as her father's chest heaved with exertion. Her eyes flickered to Maggie hiding against the wall before resting back on Hershel.

"You really want me to go Daddy?" Aava asked in a small voice. The reality of the situation hit them both. Aava almost felt numb after the outburst from her father. A part of her couldn't quite believe he would make her leave. Hershel's anger, despite being slightly released through his tirade, was still white hot.

"You need a reality check. If this is what it takes then so be it."

The finality in his tone momentarily stunned Aava before she moved down the stairs and made her way out of the house. The heat from the sun hit her but she felt cold. When she wrapped her arms around her waist she noticed her hands were shaking. Gritting her teeth and clenching her fists she made her way down the dirt path. As the distance between her and the farm house grew she heard heavy footsteps behind her. Swinging around with hope that perhaps her Dad had changed his mind. Instead she saw Maggie running towards her at full speed. Aava waited for her sister to catch up to and was nearly knocked over when Maggie threw her arms around her. Kneeling down so they were eye level Aava deepened the hug.

"I don't want you to go." Maggie cried into Aava's shoulder. Aava tightened her grip on her little sister.

"I don't want to go either. But don't worry," she said gently as she pulled back to look into Maggie's face "you're my sister even if I don't live here anymore"

"But-" Maggie began but was cut off by a fresh wave of tears.

"Shh," Aava gently whispered "I'll write you letters ok? You're going to get your own letters. That'll be exciting huh?"

Maggie replied by holding onto her big sister tighter. Aava let the hug drag on from a few more minutes before delicately untangling herself from the young girl.

"Take care alright? See you soon." Aava murmured while pressing a kiss to Maggie's head. Still unable to speak with the amount of tears streaming down her face Maggie simply nodded her reply. Turning quickly and walking with determination Aava made it to the end of the dirt track and turned the corner. When she could no longer see the farm house Aava let the tears she was holding fall.