Disclaimer: I own nothing, but the plot. Rated for adult themes.
Arya let out a low whimper as her doorknob rattled. She knew who stood on the other side. Her father, Galbatorix came home that night: drunk. Arya Dröttningu let two tears fall. The seventeen-year-old teen wished that her mother hadn't died two years before in a car accident.
"Open the door, Arya!" yelled Galbatorix. "Now!" The white door snapped from his applied weight.
She wiped away her tears before her father could see. "What do you want?" she asked coolly. Her cold green eyes glared at him.
He ignored her and before she could move from her bed he advanced on her. He roughly grabbed her wrists with his left hand and forced himself onto of her. His free hand reached under her shirt and began stroking her right breast.
First, she felt disgusted that he would tough her. Then she panicked and started to fight him. She continued to struggle helplessly against him even though she knew who was stronger.
A fist made contact with her left cheek. Arya grunted, but nothing more. She closed her eyes tightly. The beating continued for what seemed like an eternity. When she heard him leave, she opened her eyes.
A mirror next to her bed revealed bruises from her face, ribs, wrists, and neck. Each one became sensitive to the touch. Tears caught in her eyes before silently falling to the floor. A silent river fell from her eyes and down her cheeks. Every movement began to hurt. She looked out her window. If she jumped, her legs would snap from the impact. She took her cell from her dresser door. Quickly, she dialed the only number that could help her.
"Hello?"
"Nasuada, can you come by my place and bring a latter?" asked Arya in a whisper.
"I'll be there in ten minutes top," answered Nasuada.
Arya nodded and said, "Be careful, I think he's still awake."
"You worry too much, Arya," replied Nasuada, half-laughing. In a more serious tone she added, "Are you going to school in the morning?"
"I have to," answered Arya.
"I'll see you in a bit," said Nasuada.
"See you in a bit," agreed Arya. She scrimmaged through her belongings and packed enough clothes for a couple days, her schoolbooks, and make-up. She waited on her bed for two minutes before a latter knocked against her window. She opened her window and threw her school bag with all her belongings out.
Nasuada caught it from bellow. She smiled sadly at her friend before Arya began to descend the latter steps. They hugged each other briefly before gathering everything and walked to Nasuada's black pickup. Nasuada threw the latter in the bed and got in the drivers' seat. Arya winced as she climbed into the passenger side and threw her bag behind her. Nasuada quickly drove off.
"You should report this, Arya," said Nasuada firmly.
"I'll be in eighteen in only seven months," said Arya. "It isn't that long."
"It's long enough for him to kill you!" cried Nasuada. "What'll happen when he discovers you're gone?"
"I'll have to go back," answered Arya. "It's that simple." She clenched her fists.
"Arya, is something wrong?" asked Nasuada. She eyed Arya worriedly.
"I'm fine," answered Arya coldly.
"You know as well as I do that you're lying," said Nasuada. She parked the car in her driveway. "I can see the bruises."
"I don't want to talk about it right now," said Arya. She opened the door and turned to grab her bag when a searing pain ran through her ribs. She gasped in pain and grabbed her side.
"Arya?" cried Nasuada; frightened. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," gasped Arya. She winced and turned back around without grabbing her bag. "I'm sorry to put you in the middle of this, Nasuada. This is my problem and mine alone." She looked at Nasuada; her face began to swell.
"C'mon, let's get you some ice on those bruises," said Nasuada gently. "I'll come back out later to grab your things." Arya nodded and followed Nasuada to the front door. "My father is out on business with Hrothgar until next week." She led Arya to the living room.
Arya sat on the couch. "Are you sure your father won't mind me staying cause it's obvious that you're going to keep me here?" she asked while Nasuada hurried off to the kitchen.
"Not unless we get into a lot of trouble," answered Nasuada. "Do you want anything to eat?"
"No, I'm fine Nasuada," Arya answered. She smiled sadly when Nasuada came back with an ice pack wrapped in a towel. She quickly placed it over her cheek when Nasuada handed it to her.
"What happened?" asked Nasuada.
"He came home drunk and as soon as I saw him I ran upstairs to my room," said Arya. Her eyes shadowed over as she relived the experience. "He must've followed me cause moments later he broke the door down and came at me. When he touched me I began to fight him; after that he started beating me."
Nasuada looked petrified. "Arya—I—I'm so sorry!" she cried out. She took Arya into an embrace. "Will you tell Eragon?" she asked softly.
"No," answered Arya stiffly. "He does not need to get involved." She set the ice pack on the table and held Nasuada at arm length. "I want no one to know. Galbatorix is mine to kill if needed." She had a determined glint in her eyes; one that Nasuada could rarely ignore.
"Ok, but if this continues I'm going to protect you from that man," said Nasuada. "I don't want to live seeing you in a body bag for the rest of my life."
"You won't," promised Arya. She stood and looked around.
"You can sleep in my room," offered Nasuada. "My father just set out an extra bed. He said something like this would probably happen to you while he was gone. I just wish that he were wrong in saying that."
"So do I Nasuada," agreed Arya softly. She slowly walked down the hall, saying that she was tired and needed some sleep. She opened the door to Nasuada's room at the end of the hallway. Next to the wall, Arya recognized the extra bed that Ajihad sometimes set out for her. Smiling, she laid down and sleep instantly took her to a place where Galbatorix couldn't reach her.
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