Chapter 2 : Fresh Wounds

Peter : Go and shower, we can talk when you finish.

He stood up and wanted to walk away but then he looked back, your a good runner, he said before closing the door.

Kayley's pov

I smiled a bit and then stood up and walked to the shower. After ten minutes under the shower I stepped out. I stood there in front of the mirror, looking at all the bruises on my stomach and my back. It was only three days ago.

My mother remarried with an alcoholic. He couldn't stand me, because I was very rebel to my mother. But on one day he started hitting me. He took everything he could use just to hit me with , didn't matter what it was. He mostly hit me hard in the stomach with his fist. The face was a no-hit base because otherwise my mother would find out.

Three years ago he pulled out a knife and hold it in front of me, he threatened me that if I told my mother, he would use the knife on me and kill me. He has been living with us for 5 years. One day our neighbour find out that he was hitting me. He came to me and asked me if he should go to the police. But I said no, because otherwise he would kill me. So he thought me self-defence. He was about 25 years old. He was the closest I had in a friend. But then we moved away to Los Angeles. I hate my mother for moving me to that city. I think he found out, found out that he was teaching me self-defence.

And here I am still hurting from the bruises. It was last Saturday, and every Saturday he goes out to a pub and drink too much and mostly every Saturday he slaps or hits me. Last Saturday he kicked me in the stomach and pushed me to the wall. I begged him to not hurt me, eventually he fell in sleep in the chair.

I think my mother knew it the whole time, that's why she send me to boarding schools, so I was just around in the weekends and now she sends me to this school. I think she knew.


I put some clothes on and went to the office of Peter, who were sitting there freshen up and waiting for me.

Peter : Hi, I called Sophie that you were just fine, she is making lunch for us at the moment.

Peter : you can sit down if you want.

Kayley : I rather stand.

Peter : How is your relationship with you father and mother?

Kayley : It's my stepfather.

Peter : I didn't know that, what do you think of him?

Kayley : He is an alcoholic.

Peter : Why were you alone so often?

Kayley : I mostly went to boarding school, but I hated it there but also loved it.

Peter : Why did you loved it and why did you hated it?

Kayley: I didn't fit in, I hated that, I have and always be an outsider, love it because I could be there the whole week. I hate it because I couldn't be there in the weekends.

Peter: Why , didn't you wanted to go back to your parents.

It was quiet. Kayley put her hand in front of her eyes and began to cry. Suddenly she yelled back.

Kayley : WHY? Do you want to know why? Do you really want to know?

She cried more and more.

Peter got up and walked towards her.

Peter : You can tell me.

Kayley : He will kill me. She said softly.

Peter: who will kill you, kayley you can say it, I won't let anything happen to you. You are safe here.

Kayley: my stephdad.

Peter: What did he do to you?

Kayley pulled up her t-shirt, showing all her bruises and marks. She then sat down on the floor with her head between her legs.

Peter was shocked. He saw the bruises. He sat beside her holding her against him and comforting her.

Peter : I won't let him hurt you anymore, does your mother knows?

Kayley : I think, I think its the reason why she sent me to al those boarding schools. I am not sure.

The both got up and Peter gave her a hug.

Peter: There will be another student here tomorrow, I was hoping that you could show him around, knowing the place.

Kayley : Okay, I'll do that.

After dinner Sophie went with Peter to the beach.

Sophie : Did you found out her problem?

Peter : Yeah, it is even worse than I thought it was. Her stepfather has been hitting her.

The bruises are still there. We have to report it, we have to get him in jail for this. She is afraid of being killed by him if she tells it to anyone .The wounds need time to heal.

Sophie : you know we have to report this now, the bruises can be filmed and can be used as proof.

Peter : I know, but the wounds are so fresh. I need to talk to her more. I asked her to show the place to the new kid tomorrow. She agreed. I hope she isn't alone anymore.