Chapter 1
Jodi: I arrived home at around 5:30pm, a little later than usual but after this morning I just couldn't face my father. It was close this morning. I had to change into a top with long sleeves before running out of the house to go to school. I knew it would bruise almost instantly. He's usually clever; hits us on our backs, our upper arms, our legs, all so that no one can see the bruises. By us I mean John and I of course. John's my brother; he's 17, exactly two years older than me since our birthdays are the same date. But anyway this morning was different.
It started the same as usual; I woke up, I woke John up, and unfortunately I woke my dad up in the process. "I'm trying to sleep you little pricks!" He screamed, running into the kitchen where I was hunting for breakfast.
"I'm just looking for food, chill" I replied.
"Chill? Chill?!"
"What? Did I stutter?"
"Don't you fucking speak to me like that! Come here!" That's when it happened. He grabbed my wrist so tight, I could feel his nails digging into me. I tried to shake him off but it wasn't working. He grabbed my other wrist and pinned me against the wall. We were both shouting at each other. That's when John came running out of his room. He pushed our father away and gently shoved me out of the danger zone. I couldn't watch him hit John again. I went into my room and changed, then I grabbed my bag and walked straight past them fighting and out the front door. It may seem crazy that I left John, I don't like leaving him and he knows that. But it's what we've learnt we have to do over the years.
John: I heard them shouting but I always leave them for a lil' while. It hurts me to see or hear Jodi being beaten, but at the same time I know that if I stop him all the time she'll have no chance if I'm not here. I mean I always step in, I can't leave him hit her forever. He won't stop. He'll kill her.
I could hear their tones change and that's when I knew it was time. I ran outta my room and it surprised me to see him pinning her against the cabinets in the kitchen. I tackled him and pushed her outta the way. He beat me for a lil' while but then I pushed him down and left.
Jodi: I waited outside for John and when he came out we walked to school. I asked him if he was alright and of course he said yeah. But he actually did look alright this time, maybe dad was too hungover to put up a fight.
So when I got home I expected things to have cooled off. Dad hardly ever mentions our fights afterwards, he just pretends it didn't happen until it happens again. However this time, when he saw me he started laughing, psychotically. "Yeah. Big ol' Johnny ain't 'ere to protect ya now is he?!" He laughed. I just ignored him and walked into my bedroom. To my surprise, he followed me. Must'a been the first time he's been in my room since I was a kid. He pushed me up against the wall again, the window wall actually. My hands were behind my back so I managed to open it without him realising. It was probably obvious what I was doing but he was too pissed to realise. As soon as the window was open enough, I kicked him in the nuts, turned around, jumped out the window and ran. Thank God we live in a house with no stairs.
John: I hope Jodi's alright. I ain't seen her properly since we got to school. She was pretty quiet on the way. I mean yeah our prick of a father has hit her before, but I dunno this time seemed different. I expected her to be at home when I got there at around 9:30, but dad said she jumped out the window again. That was always her escape.