Okay, so I didn't forget about you all. My computer crashed and thus my story went with it. But here it is, the long anticipated Chapter 8… and fairly good might I add…
Disclaimer- You have read it 7 times before
Thank you- Everyone who has reviewed
No thanks- to my computer who died… evil evil creature
And thus, the chapter
Mark went to the apartment door and knocked on it while Benny stood back a few steps. While they waited, Mark turned around to Benny," What was up with Allison?"
"She has a permanent bug up her as-"
Melissa opened the door with a checkbook in her hand," I can pay 75 of the rent right now; I can mail the rest to you next week my da- Mark… Roger… What's going on?" Melissa said as she looked around Benny, obviously noticing the quite grim looks on their faces.
Roger stepped forward a little, as if to be noticed." Melissa," I think it's high time we did something about the way you are treated by your father."
"What do you mean?" Melissa said, innocence filling her voice.
"Hun, none of us are blind," Roger started moving forward a bit more," We all see the scars, the bruises. We have all heard it or seen it at one time for another."
"Maybe you all should mind your own business," Melissa said, writing in her checkbook, tearing the check out and handing it to Benny.
Benny put his hand out, refusing the check," I'm sorry Melly. I can't take this. I want you to be safe, I want you to move in with Allison and I-"
"Or-"Roger said, looking at Mark who nodded, and then he continued," You can move into our place- it's safe there, too."
Benny nodded," Or there."
Melissa simply turned around and shut the door.
Benny turned to Roger and Mark," It's no use."
Mark moved to the door," I'll take care of it," he opened the door and walked in, letting the door shut behind him. Melissa was standing at the counter, her back to the door, staring at the wall.
"What the hell do you want?" Melissa said in a sharp tone.
"I want you to get out of here and be safe."
"Stay out of my personal business." Melissa yelled towards the wall.
"I can't and you know that. I won't let you get hurt anymore." Mark said, moving to the steel counted, resting his hands on it, staring at Melissa's back.
"You bastard, Mark," Melissa said, turning around, resting her hands on the steel table looking Mark straight in the eyes," I can handle this myself." She screamed," Just leave
me alone!"
"No."
"Why?"
"You wanna know why?"
"Yes!"
"Because," Mark said, chocking on the work," Because I had to watch my sisters best friend- my neighbor- be carried out in a body bag from her house- and her father get 2 years in prison for beating her to death." Mark stopped, watching Melissa who was on the verge of tears," I had to watch as every one I know mourned her death and walk past her open casket where even the funeral make-up couldn't cover up the bruises." Melissa was now crying as was Mark," I… I… I had to watch my big sister, try to carry on without her best friend, kicking herself for never saying anything to my parents, blaming the death on herself-"Melissa had sat down on the floor, pulling her knees up to her chin, crying. Mark moved around to Melissa and crouched down in front of her, tears streaming down both of their cheeks. Mark rested his hands on Melissa's shoulders lightly and spoke," I don't want to experience any of that ever again." Mark kissed Melissa on the forehead and stood up, wiping his eyes dry with the sleeve of his shirt and left.
Mark stepped into the hall, letting the door shut behind him," All we do is wait. I'll be upstairs." Mark headed up the stairs and Roger followed, obviously having noticed the puffiness of Marks eyes," What's wrong?"
Mark shook his head," Nothing- don't worry about it."
"You didn't hurt her, did you?"
"No, I just told her about Lily."
"Lily?"
"My sister's friend who was killed by her father, over a cup of spilt milk."
"Oh."
Mark stepped into the apartment;" I just want to be alone," Mark headed to his bed and lay down.
It was night by the time that Mark woke up, he headed into the living room where Roger, Mimi, and Benny were sitting in the silence.
"I don't know what else to do," Benny said, breaking the awful silence.
Mimi shook her head," Neither do I…"
"What happened," Mark asked, coming into the room.
Everyone looked up then looked at Roger to explain," She left. I went to the pharmacy and picked up her meds, half an hour after I got back she left for work with a duffle bag."
Mimi cut in- it was her portion of the story to tell," After work she collected her weeks pay and said goodbye and left… usually we leave together."
Mark sat down in the spare chair in thought.
Benny handed Mark a note," This was on her door."
Mark took the note and opened it, reading it.
Mark,
For too ling, I do agree
I have not been strong, yet yearned to be free
So now, I sit here and write
I will be gone by tonight
I heard all you said
I agree so I fled
So now, with just one thing to say
Keep these words close to your heart I pray
Goodbye love
Hello world
-Melissa
Mark looked up at Benny who said," I know- she's gone."