Stephanie waited anxously for DJ to come up stairs. To bombard her with questions. She was scared, her hands shaking as she paced around her room. She felt as if the air was being sucked out of her and she couldn't catch her breath. She took a few deep breaths and calmed herself down, running her hands through her long, blonde hair.

"Will you get a hold of youself?" Her conscience told her.

"Shut up...shut up. The way I reacted back there she's gonna think something majorly bad happened to me."

"Look in the mirror."

Stephanie went over to her mirror. She saw her reflection look back at her. Although..it didn't look like her one bit, with her tear stained face, messy hair and bags under her eyes from lack of sleep. She was seeing someone else...this wasn't her, and she didn't want this to be her.

"Something majorly bad did happen to you."

"No...I am perfectly fine."

"Why are you lying to yourself?"

"I'm not! It isn't a big deal!"

"Wake up, Stephanie! It is a big deal."

"What's happening to me?"

"Stehphanie?" DJ asked. Stephanie quickly wiped away her tears with the back of her hand.

"Come in." She called weakly and turned to make sure her back was toward her sister.

"Stephanie? Are you okay?" Her voice was calm and sweet. Yet worried at the same time. If she had to tell anyone about what's been going on with her. She wanted it to be DJ.

"Yes." She lied.

"Tell her the truth."

"I-I'm scared." She whispered.

"Stephanie...look at me." She turned to look her sister straight in the eye. "Please, tell me what's wrong."

"I..."

"Tell her, Stephanie! You can't make it alone."

Stephanie pulled up her sleeve to reveal her bruised shoulder. She closed her eyes and looked away. She didn't want to see her sister's face...she didn't wanna believe this was happening. That at any moment she would wake up. But it didn't happen, she was stuck here.

"Stephanie..what happened to you?" DJ got down on the floor so their eyes met. "Answer me!" Stephanie couldn't talk. She was mute.

"M..."

"Mike."

"Stephanie, who did this to you?!"

"No one! LET GO OF ME!" Stephanie stormed out of her bedroom, down the stairs, and out the front door.

"Stephanie...?" Her dad called to her, but she was already out the door. DJ ran down the stairs and ran into her dad. Literally, ran into her dad.

"Whoa, Deej, slow down. What's going on?"

"Stephanie's in trouble."

It was pouring out now, and Stephanie just kept running. Her hair was matted against her face and she was soaked. She felt warm tears collide against her cold, pale face. She didn't no where she was going...the point was to just get away.

"This isn't a good idea. Go back! She was going to help us, you know!"

"STOP IT! I was scared...I couldn't do it! He threatened my life."

Stephanie hid behind a big oak tree at the park...that seemed to be the only place she felt safe. She knew her family would find her. And that's ecaxtly what she wanted. She couldn't go back, not now.

"Well, well, well...look who it is!" A voice called out to her. Stephanie's heart stoped.

"Mike."

"I told you this was a bad idea."

"Mike..."

"What's the matter?" He said, pulling her by her hair. "Cat got your tounge?"

"Mike, please! Please, stop!"

"Or what...You already told, Stephanie! You bitch!"

"Do something!"

"SOMEBODY HELP!" Suddenly Mike hit her upside her head, knocking her to the ground.

"Get away from her!" A voice yelled.

"Who is that?"

"I don't know."

"Get up and look!"

"I can't."

Stephanie struggled to lift herself up but feel back down. She was feeling weak and tired. Her eyes were half way open.

"If I ever see you near this girl again, I swear to god I will hunt you down and bury you myself!" Mike fled the scene leaving Stephanie on the ground. "Stephanie...Stephanie can you hear me, sweetheart?"

"It's you uncle..Well, our uncle!"

"U-Uncle Jesse." She whispered. "I-I'm sorry."

"Shh..it's okay. You're gonna be okay. It isn't your fault, Steph."

Finally the words she had been wating to hear.

"I-I love you."

"Right back at ya, kid." Jesse carried Stephanie into the house and layed her on the couch. The family was there, worried sick. They covered her up with blankets so she would stay warm.

The family stayed by her side every step of the way. She got help dealing with the trauma, and went to a victims support group for teenagers that have been abused. For once in her life she didn't feel alone anymore. She got on with her life. She was happy and never saw mike again.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you for reading. And I am so sorry for making you guys wait so long! Reviews are much appreciated.