WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS ABUSE.
Something i me cracks, and I want to get at her, in any way I can. so I run to the door, and scream, "He will never be my father! and you will never be my mother!" All I hear is her footsteps, going down the stairs.
I push away from the door. and fall back onto my bed. I fling may arms out, and stare at the ceiling. A million thoughts rush in my head, all fighting for supremacy. ut most of all, my emotions roil.
Long ago, I perfected the art of keeping my face monotone. Even when inside I was falling apart, I would look like I always do. Numb. And now I exercise this. I am alone, I could let go, curl up and cry, give in. But I don't do that. I know if I let myself cry even one tear, a million more will follow. So I stare out my window. In this room, there is only one widow. but that window it amazing.
It is like a fairy tale up here. I am a princess, locked in her tower, with one huge window. The window is big enough to walk out of, and opens inward. there is a tiny latch to keep it shut. I open it now, and sit my legs hanging out over the five story drop.
I could jump. I could forget it all, and just jump. But jumping would mean I gave up, and I don't give up. I watch the sun set, and eventually, I hear footsteps coming up the stairs. These are heavier than Jodie's, and I know who the belong to. Quickly, I swing my legs in, and shut the window. I roll onto my bed, and pretend I am sleeping.
When my door swings open with a bang, and the lights flick on, I open m eyes. The sudden light stings, but I ignore it. Instead, I focus on the large man standing in my doorway.
Ben, my adoptive father, it standing there, his arms crossed. His anger isn't as subtle as Jodie's, and i know what is going to happen next before I stand. "Sira. I believe we should have a talk." Ben's deep voice fills my ears.
I look up at him. He is roughly 6 feet tall, and his large body is not fat, but rather muscular. His blonde hair is cut short, and his bright blue eyes are full of rage. I should back down, I shoud just tell him yes, but my rebellious nature doesn't let me. "No. There is nothing to talk about, Ben."
Ben's eyes flash in anger. "I am your father, and you will call me that."
"No."
Ben's fists ball up, and I know I should stop, but I can't. "You will never be my father. I have no father." I glare into his eyes so much I don't even see his fist before it hits me.
He doesn't punch me in the face but in the stomach. I stumble back, coughing, and he advances. I should have backed down. I should have let him win. But I didn't. I shoud have but now it is too late.
"You need to learn your place, young lady. You need to respect both me and your mother." The man says as he advances on me.
"She is not my mother, and I will never respect scum like you." I spit out the words. This time when he swings for me, I duck. but he is fast. His foot comes up, and knocks me to the ground.
He walks forward, and kicks me in the ribs. Hard. "I hate you. I hate you so much." I scream at him, but this just fuels his fire. He kicks me again.
"You will learn to respect me, Sira, one way or the other." with that, he stomps down on my wrist. I scream as it twists painfully. Ben lifts his foot up again, kicking me again in the ribs before walking out of the room. I watch him go with dull eyes, and distantly I hear the door being locked once more.
I push myself to my feet, cradling my arm. I stumble to my bed, and collapse onto it. It's Friday, which means they probably won't let me out until tomorrow night, maybe even Monday. Great.
My whole body aches from the beating. It isn't the first time but... God it hurts. I stare out the window, and even though the lights are on, even though i'm fully dressed, I slip into a restless sleep.
When I wake, the lights are off. That should have ticked me off, but I am still sore and hazy from the beating. I do notice when the cold breeze coming from the open window. I sit up, straight as a bolt. Unfortunately, this agitates my bruised ribs, and I flinch as soon and i'm up.
"Hello?" My voice sounds weak in the darkness. Then I realize, there is a corner where the shadows are a bit too deep. Someone steps out of th shadows, into the moonlight.
"Hello." The voice is familiar. With a start, I realize it is the boy from earlier. His curly black hair is a bit ruffled, but otherwise he is the same. What is he doing here? is he some sort of stalker? He is in my room.
But something in his eyes tells me this is not the case. "What are you doing here?" I ask. My voice is shaky, betraying my fear. The boy puts on his goofy smile though, probably an attempt to calm me. it doesn't help.
"It's a lot to explain. Basically... There's these... things. And they're trying to kill you. So... you need to... um... come with me." The way he says it, I can tell he is hiding a lot.
I give him an incredulous look. "You expect me to just come with you? no questions asked? You have got to be kidding me." I cross my arms. I don't know why i'm so calm. I should be screaming, right? That's what you do when a guy breaks into your bedroom at night, right? I guess the idea of bringing Ben up here late at night scares me more than some scrawny boy.
"No. I didn't." he says. Then I hear the gas bomb go off. I try to cover my mouth, but it's too late. Already, I feel the effects of the drug. My vision becomes blurred, and I fall over on the bed. As I slip into sleep, I hear the boy. "I'm sorry, Sira."